IU Secular Alliance
http://saiu.org/l

Sigma Sleep out for the Homeless is a national service project of Phi Beta Sigma. The event’s goals are to raise money for a homeless shelter, collect items as clothes, blankets, and pillows for the homeless. And collectively bring college students together to bring homelessness awareness to the campus. Together, Phi Beta Sigma and with the soon to be IUS Student United Way Chapter successfully met these event goals.
The men of Phi Beta Sigma, refer to ourselves as the “Sigmas”, are very appalled by the No more ‘sleeping out’ article. The opinion of Nikki Fouch is a low blow to the IUS campus spirit. As a student leader for more than two years I understand the IUS culture and student participation rate in activities. I have had a great success in my hosted activities and for a positive event to be negatively portrayed in the Horizon is a shame. While we do appreciate the Horizons efforts to cover the story, it was amazing for Barricade for Boxes to make front page with the same information that that anyone on campus can find found on a flier provided through United Way. Honestly that was a “half-ass” way to cover the story.
Barricade for Boxes and Sigma Sleep out for the Homeless were not intended to be true simulation of homelessness. I cannot foresee a single person who can understand what the life of a homeless person is like unless they have been homeless at one point. Unless you have this type of homeless experience or have volunteered numerous hours in a soup kitchen to help feed people who are in need you cannot truly indentify with this population. Please keep your opinion to yourself and do not waste the student body with your negative observation.
I hope the Horizon has learned their lesson. Maybe the unselfish deeds Phi Beta Sigma and other fraternities and sororities perform relentlessly year round will start to be covered. Although perceptions of “social organization” is party, party, party; Hardly so!
Next year the Sigmas will be out there in the yard once more with an even larger crowd including student organizations. Maybe The Horizon editors or writers will take part and volunteer some time instead of stand by and criticize students who are trying to make a positive impact on campus and the community.

Our motto “Culture for Service, Service for Humanity” sums it up!

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
Beta Beta Xi Metro Louisville Chapter
Bro. Reuben Otero