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More money to sorority house repairs than Africa?

Our priorities could be a little off for the reasons we give for participating in certain events

Published: Friday, April 16, 2010

Updated: Friday, April 16, 2010 01:04

If you walked past the Memorial Student Center on Thursday, you might have seen picketers holding signs as they protested taxes. Another event Thursday morning was the annual Strawberry Breakfast, hosted by Alpha Xi Delta sorority. At Be Hope 2 Her students and others walked a mile around campus Wednesday to see what it was like to carry 40 pounds of water on top of their heads like women in Africa do every day.

What's the point? It's great that we have so many passionate individuals who put on events or just go out and share their beliefs. No other setting like a college campus is going to offer those opportunities and we pretty much take advantage of those on a regular basis.

However, sometimes there can be a problem with where our priorities are. As has been stressed in past editorials, we should try and think more about others than for the benefit of ourselves. The Strawberry Breakfast is well-known in many circles around campus. Every time it comes around, people are eager to go; it's a popular event. The food is great and we probably needed a break from cafeteria food or quick meals on the go. Alpha Xi Delta raised about $3,000 this year to go toward repairs for the sorority's house.

This is great that the women were able to get so much money and the repairs are probably needed. However, Be Hope 2 Her raised only $700. True, the people in charge of the event were happy with the results but what a difference between $3,000 and $700.

Are our priorities straight? Are we really just thinking about ourselves when we go to these events and not the actual cause? Was the only reason the breakfast made so much money was because it gave something physically enjoyable back to the participants? Did Be Hope 2 Her not get as much money because people weren't getting anything out of it except probably sore arms and tried feet?

Sure, most of the people who contributed to these events cared about the cause more than anything, but it's got to make you think if people are more worried about what's in it for them or the cause when they participate in these types of events.

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Sun Apr 18 2010 20:13

where in this article does it put down Alpha Xi or any sorority or fraternity? Not once does it say anything about the alpha xi girls other than they hosted the thing. some of you need to read the article again.

Sat Apr 17 2010 00:19

I went to the Alpha Xi Breakfast and carried water on my head. I think the Alpha Xis have a very supportive alumni and they reached out more to the community. I also think that BH2H would probably be more productive if they actively tried to get Greeks involved. Greeks spend sooo much time fundraising and doing great things for sooo many people. I saw some Alpha Chis and Tri-Sigs at the event as well as a DZ. I think the Greeks didn't hear about it as a whole but that some of them showed that they cared about the Africa events. Plus, BH2H had SGA pay for some of their stuff. Greeks have a hard time getting money for things they do outside of going to Nationals and Regionals. They have to think of creative ways to get money all the time and make sure to do all kinds of community service and then the university takes away their housing exceptions and everything else. I guess it is easy to put down the Strawberry Breakfast...but I love that Marshall has amazing traditions like this. I am not an Alpha Xi, but I love that they work so hard and keep Alumni involved. Think of how many people were at Up 'Til Dawn. And... there are a ton of people suffering in America as well. I think it is hard to say that one issue is more important than another. I think Greeks deserve to raise money to keep their houses when MU and those incharge aren't doing anything to keep them alive.

Unbiased Source

Fri Apr 16 2010 23:22

I am not a Greek nor do I attend any school function. I read the article and from an unbiased standpoint I don’t believe this article was offensive in any way shape or form to the Greek community or the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. For those of you who can’t read it is simply “criticizing our priorities as a society” it DOES NOT bash in any way shape or form the sorority.

Fri Apr 16 2010 14:22

WE LIVE IN AMERICA NOT AFRICA! STUPID!

Fri Apr 16 2010 14:07

All I'm saying is that, if I was going to write such an ignorant article, I would at LEAST have the balls to put my NAME ON IT...

Fri Apr 16 2010 13:50

If the writer is not trying to critisize the greek society, then they should not have mentioned it in their article, and put down Alpha Xi. They work very hard for the fundraiser, and it is the only one they do for themselves the whole year. The rest of the time they are trying to raise money, and do community service acts for other important charities.

Fri Apr 16 2010 13:28

I understand what you are trying to say, however I don't think it's fair to pinpoint the sisters of Alpha Xi Delta for putting on a breakfast that has been going strong for 60 years. These girls devote a huge amount of time and effort when preparing and following through with this event. This is their only fundraiser the entire year. Not to mention I think it needs to understood how much these girls do for their community. They are constantly finding different ways to better the community and the people who live in it. Give them a break, it's not their fault that so many people enjoy coming and supporting this event.

Fri Apr 16 2010 13:16

To be fair I don't think the writer is criticizing the greek society. It is more of a criticism on the people actually donating money. People are donating to the sorority more than a cause that is probably more important because they are getting food out of it. It's a criticism on the people's priorities, not the sorority.

Fri Apr 16 2010 12:56

You failed to mention how much money we Greeks raise towards the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, Haiti Relief, The Jimmy V Foundation, LiveStrong, Drew Powers, etc. This article is ridiculous, and there's no need to bash us when you clearly don't have all the facts.

Proud Greek Alumnae

Fri Apr 16 2010 12:54

The Alpha Xi Delta strawberry breakfast has been around for 60 years. The community knows about it. The event sells itself. People look forward to it each year. Of course it is going to raise a lot of money. People are familiar with it. They are willing to donate $5 for a breakfast. Yes, other organizations raise money for great causes, however, it's about appealing to your target audience. If the people of Huntington would rather eat breakfast for $5 instead of walking around with 40 lbs of water on their head...then give them what they want and they will donate and give you what you want. I understand the purpose of Be Hope 2 her. I think it proves a very good point, however, don't put the girls of Alpha Xi down because the community didn't embrace it like the strawberry breakfast. It is not their fault it has built a reputation of being delicious for the past 60 years. The Greek community works very hard in all aspects of life. Give them a break. :)

Fri Apr 16 2010 10:28

I agree, it is simple ... I think many more students would rather have a nice breakfast rather than walk around with 40 pounds of water on their head. Why is that so hard and worth writing a story about? Why don't you write a story about how much money and time these Greeks give back to their community and Marshall .... just a thought.

Fri Apr 16 2010 09:51

It's really simple why... More college students are interested in Strawberry Breakfast than putting a 40 pound bucket of water on their head. And can we stop with trying to make the greek community look bad ALL the time?

Fri Apr 16 2010 09:50

It amazes me that someone would write something so one sided. I must ask do you have any idea how much money is raised by Greek organizations for charity? Or maybe how many supplies and how much time they give to local organizations to help them continue their good deeds? Obviously not. I hate that Be Hope 2 Her did not make anymore money than it did, however have you taken the time to figure the amount of money, time, and supplies that these Greek organizations have donated throughout the year? I am going to go ahead and take a stab at that question and say you have not. Maybe before you make an annual event like the Strawberry Breakfast, the people who attended, and the Alpha Xi Delta ladies out to be bad people you should get all the facts!

Fri Apr 16 2010 08:43

You fail to mention the $8,000 dollars raised by the 5K for Hunger this weekend. Stop pointing fingers.

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