The Coed Fraternity Sorority Council annual awards were presented in front of a packed crowd in Collis Commonground yesterday -- a ceremony that featured Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity winning the O'Connor Cup and sororities Alpha Xi Delta and Sigma Delta garnering the most awards overall.
The O'Connor Cup was awarded to Sig Ep for outstanding achievement in leadership, scholarship and programming. Sigma Delt was selected runner-up for its award-winning programming, strong academic record and physical plant maintenance.
"I can't say enough about how amazing this house is in all areas of operation," CFSC President Jaimie Paul '00 said as she presented Sig Ep with its award and a check for $250. She specifically praised the fraternity for its wide range of activities and for exemplifying the merits of the Greek System.
The Order of Omega Lambda Rho Leadership awards went to CFSC Treasurer Kevan Higgins '00 for Greek man of the year and Paul for Greek woman of the year for acting as the face and voice of the Greek System during a period of intense scrutiny.
"It has been quite a year, but in the 11 years that I have been here, this class has shown the most leadership, vision and mature and thoughtful thinking under adverse circumstances," Assistant Dean of Residential Life Deborah Carney said.
A record number of houses received awards for passing minimum standards with commendation and distinction.
Carney said the results of minimum standards reflected "the tremendous amount of leadership" in the Greek system and "the improvement for the Greek system as a whole."
Eight organizations garnered a plaque of distinction for passing minimum standards in all six categories at a level higher than the College stipulates. For the first time the winners included three fraternities -- Sigma Nu, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Sig Ep -- as well as Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Delta Delta, Epsilon Kappa Theta and Alpha Xi sororities.
Nine houses were commended for excelling in four of the six categories, which marks an increase from five years ago when only a handful were recognized for such an achievement, Carney said.
The academic achievement awards were divided on the basis of house membership and awarded to the top three based on a point system of counting the number of Phi Beta Kappas, Rufus Choate Scholars, and Level Two and Three Scholars.
Alpha Xi, Alpha Delta fraternity and Sigma Delt placed in the top three, respectively, for houses with more than 60 members. Sigma Nu, Alpha Chi Alpha and Phi Delta Alpha fraternities were the top three for houses fewer than 60 members.
In honoring excellence in programming and contributing to the development of the Greek, Dartmouth and local communities, eight sororities and only one fraternity, Sig Ep, were recognized.
Kappa Kappa Kappa fraternity won the Order of Omega for most improved house and was recognized for its contributions of non-alcoholic parties.
As for physical plant maintenance, while the system in general was commended for the positive direction it has taken and various houses were cited for making specific improvements, the house managers for AD and Alpha Xi won the award.
