Is Life Inside of a Fraternity More Serious Than it Seems?

Reporting by Tommy Mondani and Kelsea Frobes

Executive members of Alpha Sigma Phi met on a recent weekday to discuss plans for upcoming events in their West 9th Street chapter house.

The executive board members of the University of Nevada, Reno’s Alpha Sigma Phi (ΑΣΦ) chapter recently gathered in a hot, packed, room to discuss member business in their chapter house, located on West 9th Street. Although the remnants of a weekend party remained, these board meetings shift the atmosphere into something more serious, where members work hard to continue ensuring the future success of their chapter.

On many campuses, Greek life consumes a large part of the student population. TikTok viewers across the country have become obsessed with videos made by potential new members that show the process young adults go through just to be a member of one of the many nationally-recognized chapters.

Although Greek life has recently become a popular social media obsession, the work that goes into being an executive member of a fraternity is often overlooked.

UNR’s chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi is one of seven fraternities that belong to the university’s Interfraternity Council. Each chapter has an executive board with various positions dedicated to keeping the fraternity running smoothly.

“Nobody realizes the level of communication that I have on a daily basis with other members of this fraternity as well as the potential new members,” said Matty Giglia, Vice President of New Member Enrichment.

In the minds of those on the outside of fraternity life, it is often viewed as a club with the sole intention of partying or as a dangerous group that hurts potential new members through hazing.

Although Alpha Sigma Phi does host parties for students at the university, they have specific positions which keep both members and guests safe and level-headed. Anderson‘s position is directly involved with handling any cases that may arise from an event hosted by Alpha Sigma Phi.

Along with hosting parties, Alpha Sigma Phi fundraises for their philanthropy Shatterproof, a nonprofit aimed at treating addiction and ending stigma. Last year, Alpha Sigma Phi raised $5,000 for Shatterproof through their annual event “Sigs and Pigs,” a barbecue where they serve pulled pork sandwiches. They also raised money for the American Breast Cancer Society through their “Suds and Sigs” car wash event.

With 15 potential new members joining Alpha Sigma Phi this year, Vice President of Alumni Relations Tommy Mondani wants to encourage members to join a fraternity at the university.

“If anyone’s looking to get into a fraternity, you should definitely do it, and you should try to be on your exec board- It’s been the best experience of my life,” Mondani said.

“I’ve loved doing things for my brothers and I’ve loved [that my voice] is being heard. It’s been an awesome experience, I wouldn’t trade it for the world, and I definitely recommend it to anyone that has the opportunity.”

Reporting by Tommy Mondani and Kelsea Frobes