Last Saturday, Pi Kappa Alpha, or ‘Pike’, hosted their Annual Fireman’s Challenge, which raised money for a great cause: ‘DC Firefighters Burn Foundation’. According to Pike’s website, last year they raised over $25,000, which is fantastic.
What isn’t so fantastic is the condition they left U-Yard in. Between their water hose fights and the slip ‘n’ slide, they managed to turn one of GW’s only green spaces into a brown space. The grass has gone, and mud covers much of the walkways. Not only does this ruin a great spot to study, get a sun tan, or play some Frisbee – it is also incredibly selfish and shows a lack of foresight on the part of the event’s planners. We currently have STAR guides who have to take prospective students around campus, and, unless we are recruiting sub-Saharan elephants looking for a watering hole, we doubt this will impress anyone.
For too long, Greek life has gotten away with similarly irresponsible acts. Earlier in the year, Pike demonstrated their lack of maturity, escaping with only a one-year housing ban. While Greek life does a lot of good for GW and the DC community, GW needs to be reining in what Greek life is allowed to get away with. Any other student organization that left a booked space in such poor condition probably would have been fined to cover the repair costs and banned from booking further events. Alas, that probably won’t be happening for Pike.
Both Tim Miller (Director of SAC) and Christina Witkowicki (Director of Greek Life) have so far not returned requests for comments. GW is left with the costs of cleaning the pathways and replacing the grass, and students are unable to hang out at one of the nicest places on campus and enjoy the beautiful weather.
Here’s to hoping that Pike will do a new (non-destructive) fundraiser for the repair costs of U-Yard.
UPDATE:
A comment that encapsulates the issue pretty well:
I think the point is that the money could have been raised without the damage to U yard, nobody is criticizing you for helping the burn victims. Couldn’t you have put down sheeting or something else to protect the grass? Or at least budgeted for helping to replace the grass? Seriously, thanks for helping out our Fireman, they truly are the bravest people. But you guys should have prepared a bit better for the damage to the grounds.
PS: Spam comments (especially copy/pasting) will be automatically deleted by our system.
Rush Pike Bro!
We’ve got a great group of guys.
Some of that money they raised needs to go to paying for some sod to repare that fucking mess.
Its pretty fucking ridiculous that they can do this. Its been 80+ degrees out all weekend and beautiful and the best place on campus to hang out when its nice out is destroyed. Its great that they are giving all that money to firemen, but there has to be a better way to do it. It is completely unnecessary to tear apart U-Yard to raise money. They shouldnt need sorority girls in short shorts and covered in mud to get people to donate to firemen. GW should send PIKE a bill.
What a group of clowns. I heard they raised $37,000 this year. I say next weekend Pike and the gals can get all dressed up again (or as much as they were this weekend) in their ugly 80s florescent and put down grass with some of that money. Even give them a hose to play with and get all wet and horned up while they are doing it.
Chris please don’t cry
somebody didn’t get a bid..
Yeah, everyone rushes pike right
Yea because U-Yard was so green and full of grass before this
it wasnt a fucking mud pit either though
and explain to me how mud ruins your life?
Uhh, it was Idiot. They just re-sodded it during the beginning of Spring.
I cannot believe someone wrote an article about this. Keep up the good work, Pike. I know everyone in the DC area, especially firefighters like me, appreciate the help you are giving to our fellow brothers who have been injured on the job. $37,000 is a huge accomplishment, and the celebration was well deserved. I’d love to see the student who wrote this article do something that helps the community rather than complain about the place they are tanning.
Fuck yea
You.are.the.boss.
Last time I checked, charity didn’t come with a clause that mandated the destruction of university property. The outcomes don’t always justify the means.
saving lives > tanning space, enough said
I wonder what the classy ladies at you “fundraiser” would have to say about that one….
when in rome right?, o wait you can’t just use any old expression and think that it applies. sure an outcome doesn’t always justify a means, but I’m pretty sure most people would accept a field being muddy for a couple weeks in the name of a cause that helped burn victims wouldn’t you?
I’m not questioning Pike’s intentions, they raised a lot of money for a good cause. What I am questioning however, is their accountability. When an event like this is held, the organizers are accountable for both the good and the bad impacts of their actions. No amount of money raised gives the organizer an inherent right to leave a piece of university property, which was entrusted to them through the good will of the university, in substantially worse condition due to the event. Kudos to Pike for raising the money, but the intentions are irrelevant and as a result, they are still liable for the damage.
Amen.
People need to stop talking about what happened with Pike’s pledge. Stop tying something bad that happened (that wasn’t even sponsored by the fraternity) and make it ruin something great (like raising 100K over the past 5 years for burn victims).
It was on Big/Little Reveal night. Don’t say it wasn’t sponsored by the fraternity. It’s an event you hold every year and the entire GW community knows what happened.
no it wasn’t. stop pretending like you have any right to discuss what happened, and enjoy your friday nights at the Fishbowl, dude.
This is what happens when you give free specch to GDIs…
I’m IN greek life and I find that comment extremely embarrassing. People like you with the idea that greek life is superior to all others is why we have such a bad reputation and why no one respects us anymore. Get off your high horse. You are nothing.
somebody’s in pi phi…
and where was the GW Patriot article after previous fall fests and spring flings??????
it really is tragic that someone gives two shits about the school. fuck, who cares about how the school looks anyway
Actually Program Board is billed for all grounds services required after their events including but not limited to re-sodding the grass in University Yard.
“We currently have STAR guides who have to take prospective students around campus, and, unless we are recruiting sub-Saharan elephants looking for a watering hole, I doubt this will impress anyone.”
Props for the “witty” elephant quip. Still, on the whole, horribly written article. Is English your first language?
I mean everyone acts like Greeks get away with “anything,” but when’s the last time another student org tried to rent UYard and got denied. Maybe other orgs should start doing what they claim “only Greeks get away with,” and they will see that they could too.
What a joke of an article, undermining the accomplishments of this organization. They raised $37,000 for the DC Firefighter’s Burn Foundation and you are complaining about “ruining the grass” in a place that adds no value or quality to the University.
And in regards to prospective students touring, if they don’t want to attend GW because “U-Yard is muddy” then they need to seriously reconsider what they’re looking for in a University. If anything, any prospective students touring on Saturday during the event were probably much more inclined to attend GW because of the sheer excitement and joy these students exhibited after a long week of educational and fun events about the DCFB and fire safety, along with the fact that they have raised so much money to give to such a great cause.
The GW Patriot states that their articles are “Smart. Witty. Irreverent.” You say irreverent, everyone else says irrelevant and unintelligent. $37,000 (“some money”) was raised for a great cause giving back to the DC community. PIKE raised a record amount of money. Tours stopped to watch and were impressed. Why don’t you report accurate information, and not write about your immature jealousy?
Since when is $37,000 “some money”?
I hope this was meant to be a satirical piece. If not, I feel sorry that you are such a bitter person.
The.insane bais in this article is appalling. From “a one year housing ban” something that is just completely false; to ignoring the fact that all the money raised goes to burn survivors in our community there is no truth in this article. Yes, it is true that u yard is not in the same condition, but it is also true that those same students pay thousands of dollars in tuition that goes partially towards maintenance across the university. including u yard. These students are not freeloaders, they are people that contributed their time and money towards an incredible cause. We should be in their debt for what they do.
The.insane bais in this article is appalling. From “a one year housing ban” something that is just completely false; to ignoring the fact that all the money raised goes to burn survivors in our community there is no truth in this article. Yes, it is true that u yard is not in the same condition, but it is also true that those same students pay thousands of dollars in tuition that goes partially towards maintenance across the university. including u yard. These students are not freeloaders, they are people that contributed their time and money towards an incredible cause. We should be in their debt for what they do.
helping burn victims or the grass at u-yard? the gw patriot votes grass.
I would, however, like to extend an invitation to you to visit the DC Firefighter’s Burn Foundation if you feel so wronged by this event. Unfortunately, I doubt the burn victims are going to feel bad because you don’t have a spot to tan this week.
PS have you seen the front page of your “rival’s” newspaper today, the GW Hatchet? You should definitely check it out, there’s a great picture of Fireman’s Challenge Field Day…
I only see a picture of Lil’ Wayne pulling some rope.
$37,000 raised.
What did you do last week?
SPAM? How about call it constructive criticism of an ill written article? I mean, there is not even an author listed? Get the facts before complaining about not being able to tan. It is only mud!
U-Yard isn’t destroyed. It’s just some mud.
Let’s not forget that tanning causes skin cancer. Please wear at least SPF 30, but be advised. Sunscreen will wash away your that orange stuff you used for a fake tan.
I think the point is that the money could have been raised without the damage to U yard, nobody is criticizing you for helping the burn victims. Couldn’t you have put down sheeting or something else to protect the grass? Or at least budgeted for helping to replace the grass?
Seriously, thanks for helping out our Fireman, they truly are the bravest people. But you guys should have prepared a bit better for the damage to the grounds.
There was a tarp there. But I appreciate that you are actually focusing on the issue.
This is such an inappropriate article riddled with rudeness and falsehoods. I’m sorry but who do you think you are to look down on an entire chapter let alone all of greek life for trying to have a great day of fun and raise money for a great cause. Pike clearly is working hard and had a great turn out for this past Saturday’s Field Day. Unfortunately, the grass paid a price…But U-Yard isn’t the only green space on campus. Go to the Green Space behind South Hall and Guthridge if you want to play “frisbee,” go to there or to Relaxed if you want to “tan,” and lastly go to Gelman if you want to “study.” Yes there should be some action taken to help repair the damage but this is an improper way of going about it. This is absolutely ridiculous for you to snub a chapter like this and bring up past history that clearly the University has already dealt with. Pike hasn’t gotten away with anything. Greek life has been held accountable for its action more so in the past year than ever. Our actions are held to a higher standard than 75% of the rest of the student body. The inaccuracy and lack of fact checking is completely astonishing. On behalf of greek life, please check your facts first and then write an article. It would be greatly appreciated.
I am officially nominating Elizabeth for dream girl 2012
Hey, Elizabeth, I’m looking for a date to formal this Friday. You free?
Karl Hobbs has some free time now, maybe he should clean it up. Sorry the GW Patriot editors haven’t have fun in college, or done anything for their community except complain.
You really could have run in a different direction with this story.
GW Greek life is quite different than Greek life at most Universities. It is something that should be celebrated and encouraged because it provides its members with incredible opportunities to become better people and make their University and community a better place. This event is a perfect example. While it is regrettable that the grass got destroyed, there is no doubt that the problem will be solved by the University and Pi Kappa Alpha.
Instead of bringing a new perspective to light and celebrating something great, you’ve instead chosen to follow so many others by upholding the status quo. Yes, this organization has made it’s mistakes, but like the grass in U-yard, it will return to its place as an example of community and positivity that it has been for many men and women who have passed through GW before. Work with us to get there instead of trying to hold us back
GW patriot, I challenge you to live up to your own name, and guide others against the status quo. Leave a mark on the University by encouraging others to focus on the positive and incredible things that happen here rather than sounding like an old man yelling “stay off my lawn”.
Thanks
“UPDATE:
A comment that encapsulates the issue pretty well:
I think the point is that the money could have been raised without the damage to U yard, nobody is criticizing you for helping the burn victims. Couldn’t you have put down sheeting or something else to protect the grass? Or at least budgeted for helping to replace the grass? Seriously, thanks for helping out our Fireman, they truly are the bravest people. But you guys should have prepared a bit better for the damage to the grounds.”
While the above comment is very fair, the GW Patriot should not be using it as a good summary of the goal of this article. Instead,the GW Patriot came out swinging at Pike, writing jabs at the organization calling it “selfish” and questioning its maturity. Even worse, it generalizes all Greek life in the article when only about half of all the Greek life even took part in this even. What is truly mind boggling to me is that there is no listed author behind the article, which right away is a blow to the article’s credibility. This article is truly deplorable.
I heard the University, overwhelmed with complaints from not only students about the condition of U-Yard, HUNDREDS of complaints from GW LAW students trying to study in their library, and the fact that both a member of Chi Omega and Sigma Kappa were EMERGed immediately following Pike’s event are going to force them to cancel the Field Day portion of the event.
Let’s not forget that Kevin Tadmori kept running around with bags of cocaine while other Pikes literally poured Everclear down the throats of Freshmen girls.
So much for learning your lesson over alcohol poisoning right guys???
Not true. There were no Chi Omegas or Sigma Kappas emerged and the girls who WERE emerged were not at any Pike sponsored event. You can’t hold the chapter responsible for people who got too wasted at an unaffiliated pre-game before showing up to an event. There was an extremely strict policy held by the brothers of Pike and respected by the girls that there was to be no alcohol at the event and it was followed. Get your facts straight before you open your mouth.
GW won’t cancel this event. Not a chance. Its the most significant charitable work done by Greek Life, at least in terms of money raised.
Wow dude, you clearly need to channel that aggression towards something productive. Shit ain’t healthy
Someone is upset they lost every single head-to-head Athletics game, good luck next year guys
A lot of Pike bros spamming up this site. Sucks that those girls got emerged I guess…
Who the fuck are you, you posing puss?!
Apparently you also missed, in a recent Hatchet article, a picture of Pikes raising awareness to prevent sexual abuse and assault at a Take Back The Night event. And the presentation they coordinated with Global Zero on Nuclear Non-Proliferation. Although Fireman’s Challenge is their biggest fundraiser of the year, it doesn’t mean that the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity only focuses on one thing. They focus on all things that promote a healthy and positive environment on campus and will continue to regardless of useless comments an anonymous writer states.
Ok the author is clearly retarded. Very poorly written article and clearly biased. Sad excuse for journalism. That being said, PIKE is fucking retarded for fucking up the one green space on campus and just leaving it that way. They also ran a great philanthropy event and raised a lot of money for a good cause. Why not have the event somewhere else? The point is they ran a great event but fucked up. Since they are rich frat douches they don’t really give a fuck, but they clearly have done more good than bad. Worst comes to worst they can just pay for some landscaping touchups with the $37,000 dollars they raised. Terrible fucking article.
It’s called Satire, jackass.
1) Just throwing it out there– many people were “tanning” and “studying” in UYard both today, and yesterday (just one day following the event) so clearly Pike’s FC was not as destructive and irreparable as you are making it out to be.
2) Besides, Kogan, Anniversary Park, the space to the side/behind of South Hall, the park area next to GW Deli, and the three blocks of park space on E Street (from 19th-21st), our campus is conveniently located just a few blocks away from perhaps our nation’s best “park space” of all, the national mall, so… I don’t really see the problem. Sorry.
The problem is that some of the spaces you recommended are already occupied by bums!
Let’s make a correction to the Sigma Chi comment; A Chi Omega did not in fact get emerged. You should probably get your facts right before you make accusations next time, or at least be at the event.
I think there are two main things to take away, not necessarily from this article, but from the event as a whole. First, PIKE raised a lot of money for a truly great cause. GW Greek Life has shed light on some great causes and has raised a very impressive amount of money for those. I think regardless of whether you’re in a fraternity/sorority or not, whether you got a pledge from all of the houses you wanted or none, we can all applaud some great work done.
Now secondly, yes some damage was done to U-Yard. Obviously certain steps could have been taken to avoid such damage, but it isn’t something that will permanently scar U-Yard for the rest of eternity. At the end of the day, money was raised for a great cause and some mud is covering a section of U-Yard. It will be fixed. I will personally volunteer to clean it up (playing in mud is fun!!!) Let’s not throw knives at each other.
"Saving lives > tanning space, enough said" http://t.co/rmskEMs
Going for Dream Girl 2012 or something?
I heard that pike was drawing swastikas on that girls door.
The problem is one student ory/community that feels they are above everyone else. Have been to the event before and this is not some innocent “field day”. More like let’s get girls to act as slutty as possible day.
The main problem with most of the “BUT WE HAVE OTHER GREEN SPACES LOL FUK U GDIs!!” arguments is that U-Yard is *the* green-space on campus. The only area I saw people tanning in U-Yard today was the far corner over by the bike racks, because that was one of the few spots left that hadn’t been turned into a mud pit. It’s a key area on tours because it’s a symbol of the University, like the hippo statue or the Elliott School building. To have this event, as great as it was, destroy a vast majority of our primary green space is just irresponsible, especially if Pike isn’t going to help clean up its own mess.
Greek life is expanding at GW, there’s no avoiding that. But the Greek community needs to foster better relations with the other 75-80% of the school. While many will point to the (admittedly fantastic) benefits of events like these, the rest of the University will only draw negative connotations if crap like this happens. Flooding comments sections certainly won’t help repair their image either.
Because you’re such a beacon of morality RT @AlexFitzsimmons: The insensitivity of the @GWPatriot knows no bounds http://t.co/5z3NLl8 #GWU
MAKE PIKE PAY.
This is ridiculous. If you want to go tan, go to the national mall. The Pikes at GW raised a ton of money for a local organization that helps burn survivors including children and firefighters that risk their lives for us every single day. The fact that your precious tanning space needs some new grass seed is not the end of the world. I assure you there is nothing to worry about. Every member of Pike, along with the sorority members that participated all pay tuition at this school, and part of this tuition is the right to join student organizations and utilize u yard. They did nothing wrong, grow up.
The same argument goes to you, have your water fight at the national mall.
Most upsetting about this article is that Miller and Witkowicki have commented…they will probably need to launch another “investigation”
Jeez, someone obviously is utilizing their listserv. What they did for charity is completely irrevelent. They destroyed the one green
space we have. It is ludicrous to assume that a prospective students view of the school is not going to be affected by eye soars like this on campus. When you are having company over, do you not clean up your house? When you are entertaining a business client do you not dress up? I am not in Pike and I don’t want my tuition paying for the probable thousands of dollars worth of damage regardless of reason. Contrary to what Pike’s used to, this isn’t going to take two minutes to clean up. If they had done this on public property, not only would the event have been shut down, but people probably would have been arrested.
For those of you who came to GW to look at all of the expensive buildings and grounds, my sincerest apologies for mucking up a corner of U-yard. This is a university. These things happen. This is what this space should be used for in the first place. Other campuses would tout the fact that you can come to this school, in the middle of DC and and have a water day with all of your friends. That’s a much larger selling point than the number of books in the shitty library. This isn’t the white house lawn, it isn’t a public park, it isn’t the national mall, it’s a college campus, so get the sticks out of your asses and appreciate that people can still have fun at college.
But Steve, I thought the point of this event was not to have fun, but to raise money for a great cause? Surely people would be impressed by your ability to raise money, not to have fun, as that’s what the event was all about, and why it’s above any criticism? Right?
Go to the Vern if you want “green space” we are in the middle of a city
Just curious, but what about the actual field day event raises money? I thought most of the money was raised by that online site that sorority girls were spamming all over facebook. Good for you all to raise the money, seriously, $37,000 is no joke, but was the event really necessary? At least to a non greek, this event and other events like it just look like an excuse to get wasted. I have nothing against getting drunk and having a good time, but if you guys are so serious about raising money and doing community service, why not just raise the money and not hold these type of events if all you’re going to do is make a mess and then refuse to clean it up.
People keep talking about this like PIKE isn’t going to fix it. Every year damage happens to UYard during Fireman’s Challenge and just like the SA and PB for their events, they work with the university to resolve any damage to school property. This isn’t news, this is clearly an attempt at mudslinging (pun intended) at the largest and most successful Greek philanthropic event on campus. PIKE will get a bill, the yard will get fixed, hundreds of people had a great time, $37,000 were raised, everything will be fine.
http://consumerist.com/2009/05/sorority-sisters-suffer-ironic-laundry-detergent-injuries.html
LOL
As a sub-Saharan elephant, I take great offense to this article and its implications. Not only do I have the highest standards for watering holes, but the audacity that you should ever think I’d even want to attend your university is outrageous.
Good day to you, sir.
http://www.gwpatriot.com/2011/04/25/pike-raises-money-destroys-u-yard/ one of the funniest chains of comments i’ve read before
This surely makes perfect sense to me