Nearly 4,000 students who make up the 47 social Greek-lettered organizations on campus raised $1,065,391 from August 2016 to May 2017. Money raised went to Children鈥檚 Miracle Network Hospitals, Feeding Children Everywhere, Military Heroes Campaign, Huntsman Cancer Foundation, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross and many more.

鈥淧hilanthropy comes naturally to the Greek organizations,鈥� said Josh Bologna, a senior studying industrial engineering who was 麻豆原创鈥檚 Greek Council president in 2016-17. 鈥淚f you wear letters, you鈥檙e held at a high standard and that鈥檚 created a culture of giving that continues to grow.鈥�

The community in the previous year raised nearly $821,000, and Bologna credits the jump in giving to greater collaboration among the fraternities and sororities. They were strategic scheduling fundraising events so the chapters would not compete with each other.

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard for the rest of the community to support a cause with their time and money when two or more big events would happen right next to each other,鈥� he said.

That鈥檚 why the Greek Council worked to increase communication and collaboration among the chapters. Instead of two organizations hosting competing events to benefit the same cause, they would join forces to host a larger event, combine their manpower to find more sponsors, and ultimately garner more attention and donations.

Fundraisers included partial-proceeds nights at local restaurants, lip-synch competitions between the chapters to raise awareness and money for breast cancer, all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts with profits going to St. Jude鈥檚 Hospital, and many more. Greek community members often let their creativity shine when planning fundraiser events, Bologna said.

Also in the 2016-17 academic year, chapter members collectively volunteered 86,795 hours to local and national organizations such as Relay for Life, Boys and Girls Clubs, Habitat for Humanity, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Shepherd鈥檚 Hope, Clean the World and others.

鈥淥ur fraternity and sorority members certainly live out the values of the organizations they contribute to,鈥� said Woody Joseph, director of 麻豆原创 Fraternity and Sorority Life. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to see that they鈥檙e so passionate about contributing towards local and national causes, whether it鈥檚 through raising funds or getting their hands dirty with volunteer projects.鈥�

Joseph anticipates the amount raised will continue to grow.

鈥淚 was surprised this year because $1 million has never been reached before, but at the same time, I know how our students are when they鈥檙e determined to achieve something,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think they鈥檒l make it their goal to reach $1 million again.鈥�

That鈥檚 extra impressive since the program, called Green Dot, was first introduced to the campus community in September. Since then, more than 4,500 students and faculty and staff members have been exposed to Green Dot.

鈥淕reen Dot is a bystander intervention program to help reduce power-based personal violence, which includes stalking, sexual assault, domestic violence and dating violence,鈥� said Green Dot Strategy Coordinator Sam Vega, a first-generation college student who earned a master鈥檚 degree in Higher Education and Policy Studies from 麻豆原创 in 2016.

鈥淭he premise is that small actions lead to one big impact,鈥� she said.

Green Dot training includes becoming familiar with the 鈥渢hree Ds鈥� 鈥� direct, delegate, and distract.

鈥淒irect is going into the situation and saying, 鈥楬ey, that鈥檚 not cool what you鈥檙e doing, just stop,鈥欌�� explained Vega. 鈥淒elegate would be calling 麻豆原创PD or calling someone that鈥檚 in the area – a bouncer, a bartender – anybody who can step in. Distract speaks for itself.鈥�

Nearly 300 colleges and universities across the country have implemented the program, including six in Florida.

麻豆原创 is on top of the leaderboard for the 2016-2017 school year, with more than 25 students, faculty, and staff members fully trained in the program. This allows them to give the speeches that train others and keep Green Dot growing.

Campus areas such as Fraternity and Sorority Life are among those embracing Green Dot. For example, four Greek organizations now require that every member be trained.

Vega says that Green Dot helps to make 鈥渄oing the right thing鈥� more accessible.

鈥淎 lot of time we have bystanders who just don鈥檛 know what to do because they are emotionally shocked by what鈥檚 going on,鈥� Vega said. 鈥淲hat we try to do is ensure them that they can work through those barriers and actually intervene in a realistic way that鈥檚 also comfortable for them.鈥�

The new Green Dot office will officially open its doors to the public with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 23.

Green Dot 麻豆原创 is located in the John T. Washington Center Breezeway across from the book store, and it will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The 12 chapters were represented and networked with other chapters over dinner and dessert. The Panhellenic Council GPA has been above all women鈥檚 average GPA for 34 semesters and continues to strive for that success in the upcoming semesters.

The scholarship winners for $250 for a new member who were active in the community were, Julie Luo – Delta Zeta and Kimberly Hall – Chi Omega. Alpha Epsilon Phi won the Most Unique Study Incentive.

Erin Kelly from Delta Zeta won the Spotlight a Sister award. This award is given to a chosen sister highlighted from the chapter鈥檚 academic chair for her academic endeavors and leadership involvement.

Other awards included:

鈥淚 really enjoyed coming together as a Panhellenic community and learning what other chapters do to help better their academics,鈥� said Jess Stern, vice president of programming for Alpha Epsilon Phi. 鈥淢y chapter and I were honored to win the Most Unique Study Incentive as we worked really hard to get good grades in fun and different ways.鈥�

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Universities are tasked with educating students and addressing sexual violence on their respective campuses. Fraternity and Sorority Life along with the Greek Council took the lead in hosting national speaker Angela Rose who presented “Shattering the Silence of Sexual Assault.” Over 700 students attended the program that took place on January 21 in the Student Union Pegasus Ballroom.

Rose was abducted at knife point outside a suburban Chicago shopping mall when she was 17 years old. She was assaulted by a repeat sex-offender on parole for murder and was eventually released by her attacker. The anguish of her abduction was immediately magnified by anger and a strong sense of injustice at her treatment by authorities. She founded the organization, 鈥淧AVE: Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment,鈥� to create education and action surrounding the issues of sexual violence and founded 鈥淢en Opposing Sexual Assault,鈥� a student group that highlights the importance of men in the anti-sexual assault movement. Angela鈥檚 efforts have been profiled by CNN,聽The Today Show, and聽TIME Magazine聽to name a few.

鈥淎ngela is passionate about the topic of sexual assault,鈥� stated Olivia Escalona, coordinator for Risk Prevention. 鈥淗er energy during her presentation was contagious. It was amazing to hear her story and learn the impact it made on her life. This impact has led to an even bigger change in our discussion and awareness of sexual assault.鈥�

Krystal Vielman, Greek Council President, commented, 鈥淚 felt like it was important to really clarify the differences between assault, violence, and rape because it puts a term with the action committed. It was great to hear someone telling their story because at that moment, you become more connected to the topic and start to feel more responsible in the risk reduction process. After hearing her speak, I now use her story as a reminder that it really can happen to anyone and anywhere and that being cautious is key.鈥�

It is hoped that this program not only brings awareness and conversation, but calls on students to be active in addressing and the prevention of sexual assaults.

The 2014 recipients include 13 LEAD Scholars, 10 students from The Burnett Honors College, eight from the President鈥檚 Leadership Council, six Student Government Association leaders, two Greek students and one student-athlete.

Undergraduate students are chosen for Order of Pegasus each year based on their outstanding achievement in the areas of academic achievement, university involvement, leadership and community service. Graduate students are selected based on the same merits as well as publication or research experiences.

The winners will be honored at a ceremony this spring.

The names and a picture of the inductees will be added to the wall showcasing past and present Order of Pegasus recipients in the Pegasus Lounge located on the second floor of the Student Union. Inductees also receive commemorative medals, scholarships from the Student Government Association and lifetime memberships to the 麻豆原创 Alumni Association.

This year鈥檚 recipients are:

Undergraduate students

Linh Anh Cat, College of Sciences and Office of Undergraduate Studies

Amy Crawford, College of Sciences and College of Arts & Humanities

Shekinah Fashaw, Office of Undergraduate Studies

Cynthia Florentino, College of Sciences

Jessica Gottsleben, College of Sciences and Nicholson School of Communication

Kaye-Alese Green, College of Sciences

Catherine Gutierrez, College of Medicine, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences

LaShaunda Hayes, College of Sciences

Amelia Klug, College of Health and Public Affairs

Charlene Kormondy, Office of Undergraduate Studies

Amelia Mackarey, College of Medicine and College of Arts & Humanities

Julien Meyer, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Rana Riad, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Nicholas Simons, College of Business and College of Sciences

Vu Tran, College of Sciences

Alexis Wansac, College of Sciences and College of Arts & Humanities

Graduate students

Tracy Becker, College of Sciences, Ph.D. candidate

Avianne Bunnel, College of Medicine, candidate for Doctor of Medicine

Courtney Buzan, College of Education and Human Performance, MA student

Stacey Hardin, College of Education and Human Performance, Ph.D. candidate

Pack to Attack Hunger 鈥� a partnership involving the 麻豆原创 Student Government Association, 麻豆原创 Alumni, 麻豆原创 Fraternity and Sorority Life, 麻豆原创 Athletics and Feeding Children Everywhere 鈥� will be held at the 麻豆原创 Venue. The partners in this event have a lofty goal: more than one million meals for children in the Central Florida region.

The food insecurity rate in Florida is 19.2 percent and rising. By participating in Pack to Attack Hunger, the 麻豆原创 community will be helping those affected by the hunger epidemic in their area. The hand-packaged meals put together during the Pack to Attack Hunger event will be distributed to public schools鈥� crisis food pantries.

鈥溌槎乖� Athletics is proud to be part of Pack to Attack Hunger,鈥� Vice President and Director of Athletics Todd Stansbury said. 鈥淭his is another great opportunity for our student-athletes and our staff to get involved and make a difference in our community.鈥�

鈥淭he 麻豆原创 Student Government Association is excited to be part of this initiative, because it is a great opportunity to see our 麻豆原创 community work together toward helping out those who are in need,鈥� 麻豆原创 SGA Athletics and Traditions Coordinator Blake Warfield said. 鈥淚 am looking forward to giving a helping hand at accomplishing our goal.鈥�

鈥淥ur fraternity and sorority members are so excited to see Pack to Attack Hunger grow immensely within just one year,鈥� said Panhellenic Vice President of Community Involvement Katie Clinger, a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. 鈥淲e are looking forward to bringing the 麻豆原创 community together all for the same great cause.鈥�

Volunteers for the event will work in four one-hour shifts, in an assembly-line setup to systematically pack meals for children who are food insecure.

More than 3,000 volunteers will be needed to make the Pack to Attack Hunger event a success. Each volunteer is being asked to raise $25 toward the project. Volunteer sign-up and donation forms can be found at聽.

With more than 90 chapters across the United States, the Zeta Beta Tau national organization each year selects one chapter as its most outstanding for best representing the tenets of intellectual awareness, social responsibility, integrity and brotherly love.

麻豆原创鈥檚 Delta Iota chapter, founded in 2005, has more than 90 members and has made an impact in Orlando through community service. The chapter raised $11,500 for the Children鈥檚 Miracle Network through philanthropic work during the past year.

鈥淭he Delta Iota chapter takes community service very seriously, which is why we take hospital tours of the Arnold and Winnie Palmer children hospitals in downtown Orlando various times each semester and really try to work with the children benefited by the Children’s Miracle Network,鈥� said Daniel Balva, the chapter鈥檚 president.

鈥淣ot only are we able to see firsthand where the money we raise throughout the year goes to, but doing so motivates our members to continue working hard to provide for these families and children in need of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ assistance.鈥�

Members of the fraternity also have traveled to Guatemala for a medical mission and raised $3,000 to support Misioneros Del Camino, an orphanage in the poverty-stricken city of Sumpango.

The fraternity this year raised $1,000 during Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society. Delta Iota also partners with the Seminole County Public Works Department to organize road cleanups to help the environment and better the community.

To learn more about 麻豆原创鈥檚 chapter of Zeta Beta Tau, visit zbtucf.com.

Students stood in line at the Student Union to sign their names to the 鈥淣o-Hazing Pledge鈥� banner. 麻豆原创 Haze-free Community 鈥�#NOEXCUSES鈥� buttons were available. The signed banners were proudly held in support as hundreds of students, faculty and staff walked in the 鈥淪ilent March鈥� from the Student Union to the CFE Arena.

Other activities included a panel discussion with Victim Services and presentation by Michael Ayalon, Sigma Pi executive director. A hazing prevention movie was shown in the Pegasus Ballroom where white NHPW shirts were given out. Everyone was asked to wear their NHPW shirts or a white shirt to the 麻豆原创 vs. South Carolina football game.

Michelle Quinones, coordinator for the Office of Student Conduct, stated in an article, 鈥淗azing 鈥� It鈥檚 Everyone鈥檚 Problem,鈥� in the Faculty Focus Vol. 12, No. 2 2013 edition:

The 麻豆原创 does not condone hazing in any form and outlines specific behaviors that fall within the scope of the hazing definition. Behaviors can range from the subtle to the most severe. Examples include:

Any activity which could subject the individual to mental or physical stress, or adversely affect the mental or physical health or dignity of the individual can be considered hazing. It is important to note that hazing can be a direct or indirect condition of admission into or association with a student organization. An activity as described above will be presumed to be a 鈥渇orced鈥� activity, regardless of whether the individual willingly chose to participate.

Read the complete article at: www.fctl.ucf.edu/Publications/FacultyFocus/content/2013/2013_august.pdf