THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAS
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009
NEWS
3A
CAMPUS
Community service main focus of Omega Phi Alpha sorority
BY BETSY CUTCLIFF
bcutcliff@kansan.com
The idea of sisterhood had appealed to Aly English since she first came to the University, but she said joining a traditional Greek sorority didn't interest her.
"I didn't want to live in a house, I wanted to be super involved in service projects and none of the sororities on campus really appealed to me," Inglish, Tempe, Ariz., junior said.
Last fall, English began the process of bringing the Omega Phi Alpha service sorority to the University.
Service sororities are different
She said a friend at Arizona State University joined a service sorority and spoke so highly of her experience that English decided it was the kind of organization she was looking for, but couldn't find on campus. A service sorority is an organization that is unrelated to the Greek system at KU.
than the Greek life community in that community service is the main focus and not just one of four pillars, which also include scholarship, leadership and sisterhood.
according to KU Greek Life. After handing out filers and posting notices online, English said by December there were 15 girls interested in joining, and the number was now up to 35. Students interested in the
more welcoming and comfortable for members who didn't want to drink.
One thing Inglish said she loved about the idea of service sororities
community service-oriented group have until March 9 to sign up and assist in establishing the KU chapter of Omega Phi Alpha.
"I didn't want to live in a house, I wanted to be super involved in service projects."
English said that although she knew greeks on campus engaged in community service, she wanted an organization where it was a primary purpose. Sponsored events are alcohol-free. English said that having dry events made it
ALY INGLISH tempe, Ariz., Junior
was the same kind of sisterhood as greek sororities.
Katelyn McKee, Overland Park junior and a colonist of Omega Phi Alpha, attended Truman State University her freshman year, where she said she became interested in joining a service sorority.
"They always had events going on and included the student body," she said. After transferring to the University her sophomore year, McKee said she looked for similar
"We have big sisters and little sisters just like the greek system," she said. "I already feel so close to the other members because we all want to achieve the same goals."
organizations, but was surprised to find none.
"Lawrence seems to have this aptitude for doing a lot of service. I couldn't believe they didn't have service sororities," she said.
Ryan McGeeney/KANSAN
The low cost of service sororities was what drew Rebecca Jesse Tolman, Chicago sophomore, to join Omega Phi Alpha. While most greek sororites have monthly dues, belonging to the service sorority costs only $40 per semester.
"It sounded like a really great opportunity to meet really great girls without paying an arm and a leg." Tolman said.
Some of the service projects McKee said she was looking forward to were cleaning up local parks and campaigning for Breast Cancer Awareness Week. Although the KU colony won't become an official chapter until next year, English said she was already planning service projects. Tolman said one of the projects the colony was planning was a "green cooking"
Members of the KU chapter of Omega Phi Alpha include (top row, left to right) Kelly Garity, Michelle Taylor, Emma Groover, Kate Meymaker and (front row, left to right) Samantha Kirkwood, Stephanie Brown, Katelyn McKeen, Rebecca Jesse Tolman and Aly Lishgian. The sorority, which English began working to bring to the University last fall, focuses strongly on community service.
demonstration, which would show students how to cook and eat nonprocessed, natural and healthy foods on a budget.
Omega Phi Alpha will be tabling Thursday in front of Wescoe Hall.
- Edited by Sam Speer
NATIONAL
Two NFL players among four people missing at sea
BY CHRISTINE ARMARIO
Associated Press
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Coast Guard searched off Florida's Gulf Coast on Sunday for a fishing boat carrying NFL players Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper and two other men missing more than a day in choppy seas.
Smith, a defensive end for the Detroit Lions, and Cooper, an Oakland Raiders linebacker, were on a 21-foot vessel that left Clearwater Pass for a fishing trip Saturday morning and did not return as expected, the Coast Guard said Sunday. Crews used a helicopter and an 87-foot ship to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass, but poor weather made the search difficult. Officials did not receive a distress signal from the missing craft.
Cooper owns the boat and he and Smith have been on fishing trips before, said Ron Del Duca, Smith's agent. The pair had been teammates on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004. Two others were aboard: Will Bleakley and Nick Schuyler, both former University of South Florida players.
Coast Guard Capt. Timothy M. Close said the weather early Saturday had been fair, but worsened toward the evening as a front moved in. The National Weather Service said seas were about 2 to 4 feet Saturday morning and increased to 3 to 5 feet in the afternoon. Late Saturday night, a
small craft advisory was issued,
when winds were around 20 knots
and seas were up to 7 feet or more.
There were no thunderstorms in
the area.
Close said the men were traveling in a boat manufactured by Everglades. At least one of the men was an experienced boater, and relatives provided the Coast Guard with GPS coordinates from previous fishing expeditions.
Close said there was no sign yet that the men sent a distress signal.
The Coast Guard search was mainly by air, and was hampered by the poor weather. Close said. He said there were 14-foot seats offshore and wind gusts of up to 30 mph. Water depth in the search area ranges from 20 to 50 feet. The Coast Guard originally sent a 47-foot ship to search for the men around 2 a.m. Sunday. It returned to dock about eight hours later and was replaced by a larger ship, in part because of the weather.
Del Duca said Smith is one of the "good guys" of the league and was planning to start visiting teams as a free agent this week. He said he has spoken with Smith's family and is also in touch with Coast Guard officials.
"They've assured me that they're deploying all available resources to look for these guys and get them back," he said.
Cooper told The Seattle Times in 2002 that one reason he chose Washington was the abundant fishing.
"I like fighting the fish," Cooper told the newspaper. "And just relaxing out there and being alone and being outside."
Bruce Cooper described his son as an avid fisherman who goes deep sea fishing "any opportunity he gets." The two went deep sea fishing together two years ago.
"I swore I would never do so again," Cooper said in a statement. "I didn't like the fact that I couldn't see land. Needless to say I am very concerned. I are praying and hoping for the best."
Stu Schuyler, Nick's father, said he left his son a message on his cell phone Saturday morning, asking him not to stay out too late because of the approaching storm.
"I'm optimistic," Schuyler said. "But I'm also realistic."
Lions spokesman Bill Keenist and Raiders senior executive John Hererra said the teams are monitoring reports. Both teams issued statements saying their thoughts and prayers are with the families of all the missing men and those involved in the search.
While the search continued, Cooper's pickup truck and boat trailer remained in the parking lot near the boat launch. On the dashboard was a one-day parking receipt that expired Sunday morning.
"Please contact the Coast Guard," a note left tucked underneath a windshield wiper read. "Someone was worried about your welfare."
The father and stepmother of Nick Schuyler, Stuart Schuyler, right, and Jackie are seen at the Seminole Boat launch Sunday, in Clearwater, Fla. The Coast Guard was searching off Florida's Gulf Coast on Sunday for a fishing boat carrying NFL players Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper and two other men Will Bleakley and Nick Schuyler.
PAID FOR BY KU
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS funded
SPRING 2009 Blood Drive KU Blood Drive Committee SAVES LIVES one pint at a time
Monday, March 2
Monday, March 2
Kansas Union Ballroom -- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oliver Hall - 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Kansas Union - Donor coach parked in front of Union - 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity - 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity - 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, March 3
Kansas Union Ballroom -- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oliver Hall - 1:30 p.m.to 6:30 p.m.
Kansas Union - Donor coach parked in front of Union-10:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.
Lied Center-Vessel -- 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, March 4
Kansas Union Ballroom -- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
GSP Hall - 1:00 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Kansas Union - Vessel parked in front of Union- 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 5
Kansas Union-Centennial/English Rooms-6th Floor -- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. McCollum Hall - 1:00 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Kansas Union - Vessel parked in front of Union - 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday, March 6
Friday, March 6 Robinson Gymnasium 215 -- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kansas Union Ballroom -- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kansas Union--Vessel parked in front of Union -- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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