In a messy house not far from campus, past piles of laundry and Playboys littering a living room, members of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and their new recruits are playing poker and joking around.
It’s nearing the end of the fall rush on campus, and Greek Life has been bustling with events, get-togethers and tabling for the last two weeks.
But did you even know Portland State had a Greek Life? If not, then you might not be alone. According to Portland State University Greek Council information, there are currently three fraternities (Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma and Tau Kappa Epsilon) and four sororities (Phi Sigma Sigma, Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta) active on campus.
By the estimation of some Kappa Sigma members, including President Seth Angove, most of the student population is unaware that there are fraternities and sororities at PSU. Because of this, the Kappa Sigmas are trying to become more active.
Events like Wednesday’s poker party are less about getting new members and more about raising awareness on campus. The fraternity defies some students’ expectations. The Hollywood version of Greek Life couldn’t be further from the truth for this fraternity. Instead of a bursting house full of drunk, puking dudes, there is a small group of regular students who say they care more about fundraising and helping the community than getting hammered.
“They expect it to be Animal House, but that’s not what we are here for,” said Kappa Sigma member Kyle Gallacher-Turner.
Daniel Johnson, who just came to PSU this summer, is pledging Kappa Sigma and had a simple reason for wanting to join–to meet people and make friends.
Starting at noon on Saturday, Oct. 6, the Kappa Sigma house will host the last rush event of this term, a barbeque before the Vikings football game at PGE Park. That will also be the last day prospective members can join the fraternity until next term.