The IFC and WPA gave the fraternities and sororities complete creative control over how they could raise money for this philanthropic endeavor. The competition began Jan. 24, and all the money had to be turned in by Feb. 1.

Sophomore Chandler Ronchetti, Pi Phi’s vice president of philanthropy, designed the T-shirts, which were inspired by the sorority’s unofficial angel mascot; they were sold only within the sorority for $10. Pi Phi sought donations from local St. Louis businesses, including Fitz’s, and student-run businesses such as Wydown Water. Each business that donated at least $100 had its logo put on the back of the shirts; a total of eight businesses donated money that went directly to Partners in Health.

Pi Phi President Natalie Evans is proud of the sorority’s initiative in branching outside the Wash. U. community and developing relationships with future partners in other altruistic activities. Pi Phi also wanted to demonstrate to its new members and the whole Wash. U. community that Greek life is more than just partying and crafting a social network. The current members strive to foster a community of character education and, in particular, emphasize the importance of philanthropy within the Greek community.

SAM, a fraternity that has suffered some setbacks in the past year, took advantage of the “Live Strong” bracelet fad and designed purple bracelets with the logo “Help Haiti.” SAM set up camp in the Danforth University Center and Upper South 40 House during the competition week. The fraternity sold approximately 400 bracelets, suggesting a donation of $5. Like Pi Phi, SAM is dedicated to the philanthropic aspect of Greek Life. President Adam Savaglio wants to construct a “culture of accountability” and revamp the philanthropy chair position by hosting events at least once a semester.

Last year, when they lost their housing privileges, SAM’s members had to decide to salvage the charter and come together as a brotherhood ready to rebuild the fraternity through both academic and philanthropic success; returning brothers moved into apartments off campus as to not further fracture the brotherhood.

Sophomore Austin Ekaireb, this year’s philanthropy chair, is a key figure in getting members and new pledges involved in fundraising activities, like Relay For Life and ThurtenE, the Greek-run carnival in April. SAM has also completely restructured its internal judicial system by creating a standards board and an alumni council that is actively involved in the day-to-day fraternity life. Though the transition from on-campus housing to off campus strained the fraternity, it has motivated the brothers to implement a “change of culture,” educating members on SAM’s new philosophy and expectations.

“Fixing our relationship with the University and building a better rapport with the St. Louis community is of the utmost importance,” Ekaireb said.

The IFC competition was just one step in SAM’s rebirth process. Not only did the fraternity contribute to the Haiti relief, but it also made strides in its objective of transforming its image.

SAM is motivated to continue its philanthropic work for the tangible goal of receiving housing privileges and assembling a brotherhood of conscientious and concerned gentlemen.

“We have the academic success,” said Savaglio, referring to how the fraternity has the highest Greek academic GPA, “but now we need to focus on humanitarian work.”

Fraternities and sororities have the unique opportunity to get involved with communities in St. Louis and even as far as Haiti due to their strong, organized and motivated band of brothers and sisters. Pi Phi and SAM are continuing their involvement with Partners in Health by having a second sale of their winning fundraising creations. The second sale of the T-shirts and bracelets will raise more money for donation and get the new pledge classes immediately involved in philanthropic work. The whole Greek community plans to continue working on relations within Wash. U. and Greater St. Louis, spreading an altruistic philosophy and being a role model for all Wash. U. students.

The Greek Life Office (GLO) took away Sigma Alpha Mu’s (SAM) house in late December following a drug bust on Dec. 8 in which the Washington University Police Department (WUPD) arrested three fraternity members, all of whom were then given alumni status by the chapter.

Under the direction of the national organization, the chapter completed a membership review. Senior Brian Grobman, the chapter’s president, said the review helped the fraternity strengthen and consolidate its sense of brotherhood.

“We were looking for a more committed active membership,” he said. “Our numbers have gone down since January, but our remaining members are more committed to being a fraternity that takes the initiative to be more active on campus and to [go] in a more proactive direction.”

The chapter currently has 21 active members, compared to approximately 50 at this time last year, with 14 new pledge candidates from the past fall recruitment—the highest number of pledges among all the fraternity chapters on campus.

Grobman and junior Sam Werboff, the chapter’s vice president, see this year’s pledge class as one of the signs that SAM remains a full, strong brotherhood.

“Even though the time has been difficult and the life of the fraternity has changed, the overall strength has never been stronger,” Werboff said. “The guys that have decided to stay with it through the tough times—it’s brought us together in a way that we’ve never seen before.”

Mike Hayes, director of the GLO and executive director of campus life, said he believes the experience has led the members to shift their focus in a more important direction.

“They now understand it is bigger than just living together,” Hayes said. “They define the whole experience differently and see the benefits of why a person would want to join a fraternity. There is a misperception out there that you have to have a house to be a fraternity, and that is just not the case.”

Grobman called the past year a “process of change,” and new commitments to the membership are part of that process.

Junior Adam Savaglio, former SAM president, devised an action plan for the chapter that includes yearly full chapter meetings with the GLO director, WUPD and Betsy Foy, the substance abuse specialist at Student Health Services, and required completion of GreekLifeEdu, an online prevention program. Chapter members are now also subject to a revised internal standard and code of conduct.

“Our biggest thing right now is having a strong sense of accountability, and all these things are here to introduce self-accountability and accountability for our brothers,” Grobman said.

Yet, despite their progress and continued efforts as a brotherhood, the chapter’s members have realized that it can be hard to shake a bad image from the past. Grobman also expressed frustration that some students are under the impression that the chapter is no longer recognized.

“People don’t seem to understand the difference between losing your house and losing your recognition,” he said. “We don’t have the house anymore, but we still have recognition from both the school and national.”

As for the chapter’s image, Grobman emphasized that the only way to change it is to focus on strengthening the chapter through its actions and sense of brotherhood.

“Overall, we can’t concern ourselves with what people say about us. At the end of the day, we can only concentrate on our own behavior, and ultimately, that will change the things people say about us,” he said. “It’s a learning experience. You can learn from it and become better and strong from it—which we did.”

Hayes also remains hopeful for the chapter’s future, saying, “I think they are ready to do what they need to do to be a good chapter.”