8D • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OFFTHEHILL
MUNDAY,AUGUST 18,2003
ORGANIZATIONS
Group breaks stereotype
KU fraternity members create lifelong memories
ByJessica Palimenio
jpalimenio@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
When Mark Dupree found out he was going to intern for Sen. Sam Brownback this summer, he contacted the Howard University chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity in Washington, D.C.
Dupree, Kansas City, Kan., senior, is a member of the University of Kansas' Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
The Howard chapter is going to help him find a place to live this summer, either in its fraternity house or with other members in D.C.
This was just an example of the networking possibilities as an Alpha Phi Alpha member, Dupree said.
"After joining, I found the love and true bond of Alpha Phi Alpha."
At first, Kansas City, Kan.
Dupree's senior
family was ___
not enthusiastic about him joining the fraternity.
He said his family viewed fraternities negatively because of what they saw in the media.
Stories about hazing worried his parents, he said, and caused them to look down on the idea of fraternities.
After his freshman year, Dupree decided to find out more about the fraternity system.
"I had to learn the true meaning of fraternity," Dupree said
Dupree said he already knew he could succeed on his own and wanted to try joining the system.
"In our organization the numbers are not really an issue, it's the productivity." Daniel Crenshaw
Daniel Crenshaw Alpha Phi Alpha president
Hesaid Alpha Phi Alpha stood out to him on campus because of its ability to achieve high academic standards and still be social around campus.
"After joining, I found the love and true bond of Alpha Phil Alpha." Dupree said.
Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, the first black organization in the United States, was formed in 1906. Today, it is one of the oldest fraternities at the University.
William Clayton, Kansas City, Mo., sophomore, said he wanted to be part of the long line of men who have been members of the fraternity, such as Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and former Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Emanuel Cleaver.
Even with seven members, the current fraternity members are very active in the community.
"In our organization the numbers are not really an issue, it's the productivity," said Daniel Crenshaw. Alpha Phi Alpha president.
He decided to join the organization when he transferred from Emporia State his junior year.
The KU fraternity system was more active in improving the community than the chapters at Emporia, he said.
Family is a contributing factor in many of the men's decisions. It has become a tradition in
William Clayton's family to join Alpha Phi Alpha.
"This is something I knew I was going to do for a long time," Clayton said.
The fraternity does volunteer work through the Salvation Army and Victory Bible Church.
They also volunteered to supervise the children visiting the Kansas Union last Martin Luther King Jr. day.
Members are also trying to reinstall chapters at Emporia State and Wichita State.
The group has also been traveling to other universities such as Pittsburg State to start a new chapter.
Crenshaw said that spreading the word about his fraternity had been one of his favorite parts of being a member.
"I can travel to almost any part of the world and find a brother," Dupree said.
Like any organization, the fraternity has overcome many obstacles in its 80 years at the University.
In 1989, the group lost its house at 1014 Mississippi St. and hasn't bought a new one to house its members.
Dupree said it did have its advantages, though.
"You can always get enough brotherhood, but sometimes you can have too much," he said.
All of the members are also active in other organizations and activities on campus, including Black Student Union.
— Edited by Brandon Baker
NIGHTLIFE
Lawrence clubs diversify to attract 'fickle' students
Zach Straus/Kansan
On one of his nocturnal outings, he stumbled upon the following fact: although Lawrence is a small college town, its club scene offers variety; thus, he did not have to limit his choice of clubs.
By Saju Ng'alla
sngella@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Fun-seekers gather to dance to the sounds of Latin music at La Tasca. 943 Massachusetts St., on a Saturday night. Lawrence clubs, such as La Tasca, are experimenting with new ways of attracting patrons.
Corey Harris does not consider himself a party animal, but once in awhile he does feel the urge to hit the clubs and dance the night away.
"KU students are so fickle that it does not take much for them to stop going to a club for one reason or the next," said Liz Caldwell, who is a bartender at The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.
Lawrence has more than 12 dance clubs competing for the business of University of Kansas students. With so many dance clubs in such a small town, a few owners and managers have decided to come up with new ways to attract students to their respective night spots.
"I actually enjoyed myself," Harris said. "It was different and the women were beautiful and sexy."
Caldwell said one of the biggest turnoffs for students was seeing the same faces week after
Harris, Kansas City, Kan., graduate student, now goes to La Tasca, 943 Massachusetts St., every Saturday night to dance to the sounds of Latin music.
"KU students are so fickle that it does not take much for them to stop going to a club for one reason or the next."
Liz Caldwell Bottleneck bartender
week at the same club. Students complained that they could easily guess what music the DJ would play next because he played the same kind of music week after week, she said.
Kelfel Aqui, owner of La Tasca,
moved away from the routine of
playing weekly Top 10 music.
"We are not much of a trend follower anymore," Aqui said. "We play all types of music for the different types of people that live in Lawrence."
Aqui said it didn't make much sense for him to compete for the same audience that other clubs were already competing for. That is why on different days of the week he played
different kind of music.
According to the schedule posted on a blackboard inside La Tasca, it has a diverse lineup which included reggae, live bands, 80s music and Latin dance parties.
Some nights are more popular than others, but Aqui said the diverse lineup kept his club filled every day of the week.
Katie Curtis, Wichita senior, said she didn't mind Latin and reggae music once in awhile. "But I'm more into hip-hop and techno music," she said.
Curtis said her friends also preferred clubs that played hip-hop and techno, such as the Granada,1020 Massachusetts St., Abe&Jakes, 8 E. Sixth St., It's Brothers Bar & Grill and Jack Flanigans, 806 W. 24th St.
Caldwell said The Bottleneck was an example of what most clubs needed to be doing to attract more people to their clubs. The Bottleneck offers a live band nearly every night of the week featuring different types of music.
Edited by Kevin Wiggs
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