THE VOLUME 128,COSMOS ISSUE 26 FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017 CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA are able to really enjoy FRATERNITY CLOSES spending time with each ITS DOORS other more now that the business stress has been Allison Bartnick alleviated. Staff writer Sigma Nu was found- After 63 active years at ed nationally in 1869 by Coe College, the Beta Ep- James Frank Hopkins, silon chapter of Sigma Nu Greenfield Quarles, and officially disbanded on James McIlvaine Riley in March 19. A combination opposition to the sys- of debt and low-member- temic hazing imposed ship ultimately led to the on underclassmen at the decision. Virginia Military Institute “It came to the point in Lexington, Virginia. where we found out from Dedicated to the belief of Nationals that even if we Sigma Nu's fourth and final chili cookout in spring strong brotherhood based met all the requirements of 2016. From left to right: Connor Swanson ('16), on honor, the fraternity for the chapter, we could Brandon Miller ('18) and Jacob Coble-Frakes ('16). has initiated over 235,000 still be closed in April Photo by Allison Bartnick. members since its found- for having the debt,” said bers in the mid-2000s. around $10,000. However, ing and currently has Brandon Miller, the most According to Miller, the with membership so low over 160 active chapters recent President of Sigma debt owed to Nationals was and the debt draining, it and colonies on college Nu, Beta Epsilon. “And around $27,000 in 2008. was, according to Miller, campuses throughout the also, we’d only have three Through increased dues “Looking like a ‘no way out United States. active members next year and many fundraisers, of the hole’ situation.” The Beta Epsilon [if we weren’t closed].” the chapter got it down Although Miller said it chapter was originally Miller said the large to about $17,000 by 2014 was not the decision any founded in 1891 at Upper amount of debt was and then knocked it down of them wanted, Miller Iowa University. Howev- caused primarily by another $7,000 in the years believes he and the other er, due to anti-fraternity irresponsible handling of since, leaving the recently members of the recent- rules implemented the chapter funds by mem- closed chapter’s debt at ly disbanded chapter Continued on pg. 2. INSIDE THE COSMOS NEWS 2 OPINION 5 SPORTS 9 DIVERSIONS 10 COMPOST RESPONSE BROTHEL LAW MYTH SOFTBALL WINS INDEX P. 5 P. 6 P. 9 2News Friday, April 21, 2017 Continued from pg. 1. THE COSMOS following year, the Beta 2016-2017 STAFF Epsilon charter lay dor- mant until 1954 when EDITOR-IN-CHIEF it was bestowed on the Lisa McDonald local fraternity, Delta Phi COPY EDITORS Epsilon, which had been Lisa McDonald at Coe since 1901 and was ASSISTANT LAYOUT known at the time as the “oldest local fraternity EDITORS The original Sigma Nu chapter in 1954. Julia Passantino west of the Mississippi.” Photo courtesy of the Coe College Acorn. Thus, on January 16, 1954, PHOTOGRAPHERS Amanda Bourne Delta Phi Epsilon became the chapter including chapter has won numerous Katie Guinane the Beta Epsilon chapter Treasurer, Scholarship, awards in both academics of Sigma Nu. Social Chairman, and Vice and athletics during their STAFF WRITERS Before disbanding President, is thankful for 63 years on campus. They Bridget Moore last month, Beta Epsilon what his time in Sigma Nu have also been known for Yuan Chai had six active members taught him about about many events that fell out Allison Bartnick as of 2017 as well as one business and responsi- of practice in recent years, Nicholas Hodges pledge who unfortunately bility and also about the including Turkish Baths, Jaimee Rindy was not initiated into the importance of making and an annual Virgin King Jiun Lee chapter prior to its clos- building connections. Party, a Hayrack ride, and Mohan Xu ing. Beta Epsilon was not For Swartchick, the con- an annual Pledge Dance. Anne-Raphaelle Bigot always this small, with 52 nections he made were Indicating how much Coe Tabetha Sprunk members in its colonizing also his most import- policies have changed Melissa Maylum chapter of 1954. Alumni ant takeaway from Beta since his time as a college Claudia Chiappa member David Swartchick Epsilon. Swartchick saw student, Kurt Friese (‘88), Lauren Hurley (‘15), who was an active how the fraternity allowed current Johnson County SPORTS EDITORS member in a chapter of brothers to gain a business Supervisor and alumnus of Ryan Izer Delena Humble about 15 members, liked perspective and do some- the Beta Epsilon chapter, how in a smaller chapter thing positive with their told of an all-campus party COLUMNISTS there was a greater oppor- friendship. his chapter’s 30+ members Nina Wilson tunity and expectation for Miller believes that his hosted in Coe’s cafeteria in Michael Lachocki leadership positions and experience in Sigma Nu the fall of 1983, complete Mariah Porter personal growth. motivated him to be a bet- with flowing booze and a GUEST WRITERS Coe senior and recent ter person and to further live reggae band. Tom Wiesler Beta Epsilon alumnus, appreciate the value of be- In his four years of many Miranda Anderson Josh Sikrisamouth, said ing able to enjoy one’s self fun times at Coe, Friese’s Constance Schlitter Sigma Nu helped him while also working hard. most memorable mo- TREASURER become better at interact- In both 1961 and 1962, the ment from his years as an Lisa McDonald ing with people on both Beta Epsilon chapter of active Sigma Nu was at a professional level and FACULTY ADVISOR Sigma Nu won the Galla- his Spring formal when, Shawn Harmsen a social level. “Sigma Nu her Cup for being the top after he announced to his was not [an organization] scholastic Sigma Nu chap- brothers that he and his CONTACT US where I could just sit on ter in the country, and girlfriend had gotten en- [email protected] the sidelines,” he said. became the first chapter to gaged, they picked him up Phone: 319-299-8646 Sikrisamouth, who held win the award two years Fax: 319-399-8031 numerous positions in in a row. Since then, the Continued on pg. 3. Friday, April 21, 2017 News 3 Continued from pg. 2. take!” joked Sikrisamouth, brotherhood, Beta Epsilon of the chapter--Bob Kow- in celebration and threw who’d heard about Bernie has been involved with ynia, Josh Sikrisamouth, him into the pool-- tuxedo from other alumni. Ac- numerous philanthropic William Keslin, Brandon and all. His whole chapter cording to Friese, Bernie’s events. In recent years, Miller, John Gardner, and later attended his wedding, legacy began as a joke, but the most popular of these Quinn Bell--are now alum- and after about thirty he eventually became a has been the annual Chili ni in good standing because years together, Friese and part of Beta Epsilon cul- Cook-Off, an event Swart- it was not a suspension of his wife, who was a mem- ture as “sort of the unoffi- chick pioneered in 2013, the chapter, but rather a ber of Tri-Delta at Coe, are cial mascot.” which raised over $600 for voluntary relinquishing of still as happy as ever. While the chapter may the United Service Or- the charter, which Nation- One tradition from have had slightly different ganization in its 4th and als picked up along with the Friese’s time in Sigma Nu atmospheres at different final year. chapter’s ritual books. is a tradition one might points in Coe’s history, In the past, Sigma Nu “I’m really proud of the miss if not observant. Sigma Nu has remained worked with the March of group that was left,” said However, if one looks an accepting and friend- Dimes and Camp Cou- Swartchick. “There’s a lot of through the Coe year- ly group throughout the rageous as well as high- ambition there. Sometimes books at pictures of Sigma years. According to Friese, way cleanups, and also you just can’t make it all Nu from the ‘70s and ‘80s, Beta Epsilon “felt like a participated in Border work out.” one might notice that in more inclusive chapter.” Battle with several other The recent alumni mem- many group photos, one of Sikrisamouth recalled regional Sigma Nu chap- bers can still wear letters; the figures in the pictures how nervous he was to ters, helping to raise a however, they can no longer isn’t a real person, but come out as gay to his collective total of $10,906 host events in the name of rather a cardboard cutout brothers, and how much for Saint Jude in 2015. For the chapter. of a smiling old man-- of a relief it was to be the chapter’s last charity “We’re still Sigma Nus,” Bernie, the ultimate bro. completely accepted for event, Beta Epsilon col- said Miller, “We’re just not “Let’s say you didn’t who he is. lected over 400 shirts for part of an active chapter.” have a date to formal-- In addition to main- the Rotary Club, which Indeed, many of the that’s who you would taining a strong sense of were to be recycled as recent alumni now look diapers for impoverished forward to possibly helping young children in Guate- the chapter recharter at Coe mala. one day, after enough time Although the Beta Ep- has passed and the debt has silon chapter of Sigma Nu been settled, to continue has ceased active status the tradition of Love, Truth, on Coe’s campus, the six and Honor, as outlined in formerly active members their creed.