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How do you say “Bye Felicia” in Greek?
News that the frat formerly known as AEPi disaffiliated from the international organization and became the independent frat Beta Rho Pi struck newsfeeds everywhere this week. In an op-ed, the president of Beta Rho Pi, Ben Owens ’17, discussed the brothers’ reasoning for disaffiliation, citing religious bias against non-Jewish brothers and disagreement over the way AEPi National handles sexual assault prevention. By getting rid of national dues, the guys also aim to make the frat more inclusive. Jonathan Pierce, past international president of AEPi and current AEPi spokesman, voiced his disappointment over the brothers’ decision, saying that being in AEPi is special, and Brown’s chapter “didn’t value that.” Founders of the Brown AEPi chapter Seth Orkand ’99 and Peter Cohen-Millstein ’98 published an op-ed in The Herald explaining their disappointment with the disaffiliation. Sounds like that break-up went about as well as when we dumped our 7th-grade boyfriend. Sorry, Sam — we loved you, we just weren’t in love with you.
The curse of Thayer
Students mourned the loss of two more places to eat as Thayer claimed the lives of both SnoTea Caffè and Skewers over winter break. While some students felt the loss of SnoTea especially hard, Skewers spent the end of last semester fairly empty of customers. Kung Fu Tea, which will be owned and operated by the management of the nearby Den Den Café Asiana, is slated to open up later this semester in SnoTea’s place. The only silver lining of the closings: the ghost of Skewers will make a great Halloween costume.
Need for speed
Daredevils who crave the exhilarating feeling of going 10 mph were crushed by the news that hoverboards were banned from campus over break. According to Senior Associate Dean of Campus Life Richard Bova, hoverboards’ lithium batteries have been prone to catch fire and are therefore banished from residence halls, auxiliary housing properties and University buildings. Brown joined 25 other universities including Harvard, Yale and Columbia who have banned the board. Attention students in need of other hipster ways to get around campus: Have you tried unicycling?
Brown came in like a wrecking ball
Good news for visiting parents — Brown is planning on knocking down seven buildings on Brook and Cushing Streets to create a temporary new parking lot. According to Al Dahlberg, the director of state and community relations for Brown, the addition is being made in response to requests by Thayer Street merchants for additional parking options. Once Brown’s two-year permit expires, the University plans to use the area “to meet emerging residential or academic needs.” We have to say we’re most excited about the new potential shortcut opportunities on our way to class.
