This message (see page 2) posted on behalf of Sigma Nu Delta (SND) has been criticized and has produced other false comments as posted on the Bridge Web site. Nonetheless, the organization stands behind its original message because the article–“Greek Stagnancy” by Luis Ramirez–is not only a false representation of SND, but also a false representation of the Greek life at TAMIU. First, let me address this statement: “It isn’t all doom and gloom. Sigma Nu’s numbers are thriving, and their participation in intramurals makes them the lone highlight on this campus. However, publicized socials, mixers, or other events seem to be kept on an internal basis. Greeks should be spearheading student life and improving overall TAMIU morale-something needed at this university-not secluding themselves from it,” wrote Ramirez.Publicized socials and mixers are mostly attended by members not because non-members are not welcome, but because student activity on-campus continues to be low, even after great efforts to invite other students and Greeks to our events. This issue cannot be expected to be resolved by SND alone. It is beyond our means, but we are, nonetheless, attempting to do so by providing positive and healthy opportunities.Also, SND has held various programs throughout the years which are geared towards students and the community: a blood drive, disability awareness, breast cancer awareness, alcohol awareness, etc.Our recent work includes volunteering with SG at the “Big Event” and, putting together and shipping packages for soldiers overseas (all expenses were paid by money raised throughout the year).It is the mission of our organization to serve our members, our university and our community. I believe we are doing a great job. We are more than an intramural team. To say that we are secluding ourselves from the TAMIU student body is completely incorrect.Let me now responsed to a comment by “1910” on the Bridge Web site:”Allow me to use your standard of measure against you. I think it’s hilarious that such a denouncement is coming from an organization who wears jackets reading “Feel free to hate on me.”It is true that some of our members have jerseys which state “Feel free to hate on me.” These jerseys were created after SND’s first step and stroll performance on campus at the 2007 Halloween Fest and are only worn by those who performed. Now, I personally don’t see an issue with being judged, but being falsely accused of something and being judged by false accusations is a completely different matter.As far as other responses, from individuals who chose not to disclose their identities and whose points are too pointless to mention, it is unfortunate they, despite not being associated with SND, attempt to explain how it is administered.Overall, we feel Mr. Ramirez could have done more to portray an accurate image of Greek life at TAMIU. If his attempt was to demonstrate how it “thrives,” we believe he failed completely as most of his comments about the organizations at TAMIU are negative. It was also an obvious poor choice that none of the individuals interviewed for the article are part of an active Greek organization on-campus.The reason we ask the editor to declare the Bridge as a neutral journalistic entity is because we feel that this article is biased due to the fact that Mr. Ramirez is a member of a fraternity whose chapter was removed from TAMIU and who has recently been overshadowed by the various new organizations on campus.
Sincerely,
Amparo “Nurielan” DiazNational President-ElectSigma Nu Delta Multicultural Co-ed Society, INC.