Sleep out against rape
Fraternity raises money for local response services
Sara Breau
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: News
The brothers of the Beta Eta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi will host their 15th annual Sleep-Out Against Rape this weekend at the University of Maine. The event runs from 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 through 6 a.m. the 24th.
Students and members of the community are welcome to join the brothers on the front lawn of the Beta House at 12 Munson Road to show support for rape victims and the Rape Response Services of Bangor. Several speakers from the local community will be on hand, and members of the UMaine faculty including Dean of Students, Dr. Robert Dana.
The brothers will keep a bonfire blazing throughout the night and will pass out warm beverages for participants. All 44 brothers will be locked out of the house in favor of camping out on the lawn for the 12-hour duration of the event.
"Everyone does their part to make this happen," Beta President Jameson Hardy said. "Everyone is welcome, all of the Greeks as well as members of the community are welcome to come."
Brothers are selling raffle tickets throughout the week for prizes donated by Bangor businesses. Tickets are $1 and can be bought at the Memorial Union. Proceeds will go to Rape Response Services of Bangor to support rape victim assistance.
Last year the sleep-out raised more than $4,100 in monetary donations from local businesses and individual sponsors. The brothers set a new goal of $5,000 for this year in order to provide greater assistance to Rape Response Services.
The sleep-out has become a cornerstone project for Beta Theta Pi and the fraternity has seen an increase in community involvement each year.
"The sleep-out is one of the main things that we can do to protest and take a stance against sexual harassment," Hardy said. "In the early '90s, especially, there were many incidences of rape on campus, and we want to do what we can to prevent that kind of thing from happening."
"It really is a collective effort where we all work together to get things accomplished," said Public Relations Chairman, Jack Keenan.
Keenan added that the sleep-out is an opportunity for the community to gain an understanding of the importance that Beta brothers make a positive impact on the community.
"This is my first year participating in the event and I'm happy to be a part of such a great cause and it's great to see the community coming together to really get things done," said Beta brother Nathan Oakes.
Students and members of the community are welcome to join the brothers on the front lawn of the Beta House at 12 Munson Road to show support for rape victims and the Rape Response Services of Bangor. Several speakers from the local community will be on hand, and members of the UMaine faculty including Dean of Students, Dr. Robert Dana.
The brothers will keep a bonfire blazing throughout the night and will pass out warm beverages for participants. All 44 brothers will be locked out of the house in favor of camping out on the lawn for the 12-hour duration of the event.
"Everyone does their part to make this happen," Beta President Jameson Hardy said. "Everyone is welcome, all of the Greeks as well as members of the community are welcome to come."
Brothers are selling raffle tickets throughout the week for prizes donated by Bangor businesses. Tickets are $1 and can be bought at the Memorial Union. Proceeds will go to Rape Response Services of Bangor to support rape victim assistance.
Last year the sleep-out raised more than $4,100 in monetary donations from local businesses and individual sponsors. The brothers set a new goal of $5,000 for this year in order to provide greater assistance to Rape Response Services.
The sleep-out has become a cornerstone project for Beta Theta Pi and the fraternity has seen an increase in community involvement each year.
"The sleep-out is one of the main things that we can do to protest and take a stance against sexual harassment," Hardy said. "In the early '90s, especially, there were many incidences of rape on campus, and we want to do what we can to prevent that kind of thing from happening."
"It really is a collective effort where we all work together to get things accomplished," said Public Relations Chairman, Jack Keenan.
Keenan added that the sleep-out is an opportunity for the community to gain an understanding of the importance that Beta brothers make a positive impact on the community.
"This is my first year participating in the event and I'm happy to be a part of such a great cause and it's great to see the community coming together to really get things done," said Beta brother Nathan Oakes.
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