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PART TWO OF A TWO PART SERIES ON GREEK PHILANTHROPY
Greeks look to
New Interfraternity and Panhellenic policies hope to change presence of alcohol at philanthropic events.
By AARON BURGIN
Staff Writer
The competition is heating up. Young women are trying to win the bull-riding competition at whatever cost. Some are stripped down to their bathing suits while others douse them with water and alcohol. Men cheer them on, while other women leave, shocked and disgusted.
This was the scene recounted by several sorority members present at last year's Alpha Tau Omega "Rodeo" — a fundraiser benefiting the Salvation Army.
Critics both inside and outside of the Greek community said that this stark contrast in event type and purpose is one of several deficiencies
found in Greek service and philanthropy.
The event was also the catalyst for a series of changes aimed at improving the quality of the philanthropy events and service sponsored by Interfraternity and Panhellenic organizations.
Although Greeks raised a record amount of money and served thousands of hours in the community, some of the organizations' fundraising methods have been called into question, by not only campus Greek officials and beneficiaries, but also Greek students.
“Of all the things that I think are great about being in a Greek organization, the way we handle philanthropy is the one thing that really
revamp
bothers me,” said Lauren Bernsen, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. “Sometimes it can be a big joke.”
Philanthropy on the Row
Many of the fraternity events in particular rely heavily on the presence of alcohol to generate a good-sized crowd, said Amanda Ebner, residential education coordinator and Alpha Chi Omega alumna.
"Everybody gets drunk, and then you start having people getting out of hand, girls start disrobing, guys egging them on, and the meaning of the philanthropy gets lost," she said.
Although at some of the events the girls are exploited, Ebner said, they are by no means forced to take part.
“The girls often times are willing participants," Ebner said. "The women often try to outdo each other in order to win, and often this comes
charity
out in the form of stripping, binge-drinking or other inappropriate types of competition."
These events should be put on in a dignified manner, said Denzil Suite, associate dean of Student Affairs and IFC adviser.
“The organization should be proud to host members of the organization they are benefiting," he said.
But some said there is not a problem with the way the philanthropies are handled because a social aspect is necessary to raise big donations.
“You wouldn't get people to go without the wild atmosphere.” said Amy McKinney, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. “I personally think that the moral way to go would be the way to do it, but it's not how you get people to go to the events."
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Fundraiser will help raise cash for AIDS
Democratic and Republican groups will work together on first joint philanthropic event.
By KRISTEN NATMDAD
Contributing Writer
The USC College Democrats and College Republicans are putting political differences aside and collaborating on a member-auction fundraiser this Saturday to raise money for AIDS research.
Members from both organizations will put themselves up for auction and will perform some kind of favor at the highest bidders’ request, said College Republicans Chairman Jeffrey Benford.
"We’re going to have six members from each organization participating, three girls and three guys,” said Benford, a senior majoring in economics. “It's going to be a fun, party-type setting where everyone can have a good time.”
The auction is the first joint philanthropic event put on by the two organizations, said College Democrats President Lee Sherman.
‘This event is kind of an experiment, and everyone is really enthusiastic about it,” said Sherman, a junior majoring in political science and theater.
The event will be held at 8 p.m. at the Portland Street House. While the fundraiser is being held to raise money for the student groups, half of the proceeds collected will go toward the Los Angeles AIDS Walk, which will be take place on Oct. 17.
The organizations decided to help raise money for AIDS because, despite their differing attitudes on political issues, they agree that it is important for young people to participate in a good cause, Sherman said.
"The USC College Democrats support anything that can better the community, and getting the youth to act toward a good cause is important,” Sherman said.
USC College Republicans fundraising chairperson and social events planner Vanessa Rodriguez also said
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I
Student. Newspaper of the University of Southern California Since 1912
October 1, 2004
Joel Zink I Daily Trojan
The next four years. Students gathered at Annenberg Auditorium Thursday night to watch the presidential debate live from the University of Miami.
Students tune in to watch first debate
President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry debated foreign policy Thursday.
By DAVID HOLLOWAY AND KARA NICHOLS
Staff Writers
Students and groups across campus held debate-watching parties Thursday night to view and discuss the performance of President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) in the first presidential debate of the election.
The Annenberg School of Communication and the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics hosted a presidential debate party that drew a crowd in the hundreds, and dozens of students attended debate-watching parties held in the George Lucas Building, Parkside International Residential College commons room and in various apartments around campus.
“I think Kerry was little bit stronger, but I don't think it was enough to make people change their minds or enthusiastically want to go out there to vote," said Joshua Wilkinson, a graduate student in fine arts with an emphasis in film production, who watched the debate in the Lucas building.
The debate, the only one this election to focus on foreign policy, lasted an hour and a half and was highlighted by angry spurs between the two candidates over whether the decision to enter Iraq was the right thing to do to safeguard the United States against terror.
“Iraq was not even close to the center of the war on terror before the president invaded,” Kerry said. If elected, Kerry said he would enlist the United Nations and international allies
—	something he said Bush hasn't done
—	to remove the pressure placed on American troops in Iraq.
But Bush maintained the war was the right decision, and said Kerry i see Debate page 2 I
INSIDE
Under strict rules, candidates Hush and
Kerry took the
stage for their first debate.
4
Vol. CLIII. No. 27
INDEX
The Capitol Steps grinds no partisan axes, mocking the left and right equally. S
Don't believe O'Reilly, "The Daily Show" is smart *news. ” 5
Newt Digest________2	SporR-........12
Upcoming	—2	Classifieds_____fl
Opinions-----------4	Lifestyle--------S
WEATHER
Today: Morning clouds. High of 74, low of 60.
Tomorrow: Partly cloudy. High of 77, low of 60.
CNN anchor Aaron Brown talks about media bias
Host of NewsNight argues coverage of presidential debate will be spun.
By MEAGAN RUEGG
Contributing Wnter
Students and faculty crowded into an Annenberg conference room Thursday to see CNN anchor Aaron Brown and host of‘NewsNight with Aaron Brown,” speak at a forum that
focused, unexpectedly, on the growing popularity of biased reporting.
Dean Geoffrey Cowan of USC’s Annenberg School for Communications hosted the “Open Forum on Politics. War... and More,’ which was to discuss Thursday night's presidential debate.
”1 would like to remind (students) that the debates are going to be spun to death tomorrow,” Brown said.
"We re going to book some people, try and do some fact checking, but the I see Brown page > I
Photo courtesy of Dan feUa
Spinning word*. CNN anchor Aaron Brown spoke to a crowd at an Annenberg conference room Thursday.