Traditional Greek organizations – IFC Council fraternities and Panhellenic Council sororities – are the focal point of the Washington State student body in terms of superficial social hierarchies and general recognition. This comes as no surprise considering IFC and Pan account for nearly 80 percent of the Greek community according to figures released by the university’s Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life. This has made others – United Greek Council organizations – to feel left out, forgotten, and often disrespected.

SigEp at Washington State has since spearheaded the charge toward a more inclusive and unified Greek community on their campus. The chapter not only set up a pair of meet-and-greet social events with UGC chapters, but they have made an effort to follow up with those initial connections after the fact.

And upon meeting ASWSU Vice President Candidate Camille Naputo (Chi Delta Sigma Sorority Inc.), WA Alpha invited her campaign to its chapter meeting the following week just days before the election cycle. Additionally, SigEp will be participating in the sororities 5k philanthropy race held later this March.

“There has always been a divide on our campus between councils and coming into term, our 2019 executive board knew that was something we wanted to tackle,” Chapter President Blake Gurney said. “Its funny cause everyone thinks were so different but after meeting and speaking with UGC chapters, our stories and experiences from going Greek overlap in more ways than not.”

And needless to say, the effort was not taken for granted. Naputo’s campaign proceeded to thank the men of SigEp across multiple social media platforms for their hosting.

“It was an honor to present to the brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon!” the campaign’s said in an Instagram post. “We had a great discussion on how to improve the departments and accountability within our colleges, restructuring ASWSU at its core as well as unifying our Greek Communities, after all, we are established from similar values.”

WA Alpha will continue reaching out to UGC chapters and supporting their organizations. As a chapter that prides itself as leaders on campus, SigEp believes they are once again taking steps in the right direction.