Collegian

I opened the opinion section of the Daily Collegian today and was amazed at a certain, hypocritical, and selfish letter to the editor.

Penn State isn't "for the kids." After shutting down the Delta Sigma fraternity, the head of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Penn State, Kevin Kerr, informed the members of Delta Sigma that the punishment also prohibits participation in the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Council Dance Marathon ("Fraternity loses status, residence," Nov. 29).

As a member of the fraternity, I cannot express how upsetting this news is to our members. We are willing to forego the benefits of being a fraternity (floor passes, name recognition, etc) and will not even step foot in Rec Hall during Thon if we are allowed to go canning and anonymously donate the money we make.

In the past, we have consistently stayed in the top 10 list of organizations to raise money for Thon, and we want to continue to help our Thon child. As of now, the university is telling us no -- they are forbidding us to help raise money for kids with cancer.

I hope the university realizes that their decision to not let us participate is not only hurting us, it's hurting the kids.


Mike O'Brien
Member, Delta Sigma fraternity

Sound ridiculous? I definitely thought so. So, I decided to respond by submitting my own letter to the editor.

In response to Mike O'Brien's [Delta Sigma banning hurts Thon children], boo hoo. Your complaints have fallen on deaf ears. You're complaining that because your fraternity lost its status, you can't participate in THON as a fraternity. Go figure. You go on to complain that because you're fraternity is not recognized, brothers and alumni can no longer donate in honor of the fraternity. This is ridiculous. If you were truly "for the kids" just as you are asking Penn State to be, you would have no problem donating anonymously. Don't complain to me about not being able to get your greek letters in the top ten list of contributors.

David Snyder
Senior - Mechanical Engineering