Making time to help out

Besides the usual philanthropic activities that Greek organizations are known for, the brothers of Kappa Sigma have something else to be proud of: good grades.

Last semester the brothers worked to change their average house GPA from a 1.8 to a 2.3, according to Daniel Mayorga, Nu Lambda chapter president. In addition, the brothers made time to perform community service.

The seven-year-old fraternity has 42 active members. They recently sponsored an event as part of the Causeway Classic; which raised funds for United Cerebral Palsy, their designated charity. Kappa Sigma also has an Adopt-a-Highway section of I-5, which they clean three times a year.

Mayorga, a senior majoring in accounting, said Kappa Sigma is interested in sponsoring some other charities, probably within the next year.

To be in Kappa Sigma, brothers have to complete 10 hours of community service per semester, which can be done in a variety of ways.

"Adopt-a-Highway is one of the ways we get hours," said Mayorga, who has been a brother for two years. "Brothers can volunteer time at bingo or Safe Rides -- we don't tell them specifically what they need to do."

Kappa Sigma brothers can live in the fraternity house, one of three fraternity houses in a row located on 21st Street in downtown Sacramento. (The other two houses are occupied by Pi Kappa Alpha and Sigma Phi Epsilon.) Currently there are seven brothers living in the house.

Ken Wohl, a sophomore majoring in business, has been a Kappa Sigma brother for a year, and lived in the house for a few months.

"I loved it," said Wohl. "I had a blast. I'd move back in there anytime but I had signed a lease somewhere else. My rent was $165, as opposed to the $310 I pay now."

Wohl said living in the fraternity house encourages participation in events.

"You're forced to participate because it's going on all around you," he said.

Mayorga, who also lived in the fraternity house for a while, said what sets Kappa Sigma apart from other fraternities is their diversity.

"We're very multicultural," he said. "We have a complete mix. That's what makes us different."

Both Mayorga and Wohl admit there is some rivalry between fraternities on campus.

"It's calmed down a lot," said Wohl. "During intramural sports and Greek Week, all hell breaks loose, but right now we get along." Mayorga said he's not fond of the rivalry. He echoed Wohl's sentiment that rivalry is only an issue during sports events.

"It's a bad thing to have. I think Greek organizations should all work together," said Mayorga.

Next semester, the CSUS chapter of Kappa Sigma will host their District Conclave. This is a meeting of all the chapters of Kappa Sigma in Northern California.

The convention, which features seminars on fundraising, scholarship, finances and brotherhood development, will be held in the University Union.

"This is the first time Sacramento has hosted anything like this," said Mayorga. "All the guys are looking forward to it."