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Service to the Virginia Tech Campus
Service to the campus that hosts our chapter and to the people and organizations on said campus.
(Organized Alphabetically)
*currently a service project in 2013
Adult Day Services
Auctions
Every few semesters, Brothers plan auctions that are opened up to Alumni and other organizations on campus to raise money for different much-needed institutions.
Book Exchange
The chapter's first Book Exchange was held in the spring quarter of 1949, allowing students to buy and sell used books without the hassle of going through the university bookstore. In addition to performing an outstanding service to the students, the Book Exchange brought in a large amount of money to the chapter operations budget.
In the spring quarter of 1950, sales were successful by making $60.27 at a commission of 5%. From 1951 until 1955, the Book Exchange continued to be sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega, but was discontinued in the fall of 1955.
The 1968-69 school year saw the revival of the student Book Exchange by Alpha Phi Omega. The chapter received 10% of the purchase price, and the proceeds were contributed to the Service Fund.
In 1970, the Book Exchange was so successful that Zeta Beta was able to donate an American Flag to the Memorial Chapel with some of the extra money. During the spring of 1971, the Student Government Association decided to begin a book exchange that would not have a service charge. As a service to the campus, Alpha Phi Omega sold the rights to the Book Exchange for $1.00. The SGA Book Exchange was discontinued several quarters later due to a lack of volunteer workers.
During the 1974-75 school year, the Book Exchange was bought back for $1.00 and revived once again, led by Andy Byrd. Under the chairmanship of Mike Worley, the brothers of Zeta Beta distributed leaflets to many classrooms explaining the purpose of the project. In addition table tents and posters were put up, and the Book Exchange raised $400 that quarter.
During the winter of 1976, the Book Exchange contracts were lost and as a result, Zeta Beta lost $600. Plans were made to safeguard contracts and improve the operation of this project. Nevin Combs and Britt Mallow took over redistribution and getting new contracts filled out. In the spring of 1977, Mark Epps devised a new, more efficient contract system and began including Saturday afternoons as part of the selling schedule.
From 1978-1982, Zeta Beta continued to run the quarterly Book Exchange, which proved to be one of ZB's biggest services to the student as well as ZB's major fund raiser. Book sales more than doubled from 1978-79 to 1982-83. Due to the fast growth of the Book Exchange, there was a need to move into larger rooms in order to accommodate the number of students.
In the fall of 1984 Michael Leahy and Bill Leidel wrote computer programs to help track inventory and write the checks. In spring 1985, the benefit of the computer contributed to a profit from the sales at approximately $2900.
1988 brought two major changes to the Book Exchange. The University shifted from the quarter system to the semester system, reducing the number of Book Exchanges from 3 to 2 each year. Squires Student Center also closed for renovations, forcing the Book Exchange to find new locations for business. In 1989, Book Exchange was held on the Drill Field in a large tent. The tent was manned 24 hours a day. Alpha Phi Omega received great publicity as the Book Exchange was featured in the Roanoke Times' Current section and a live interview with WSLS. Other locations for Book Exchange during the renovation included War Memorial Gym and McBryde. In 1991 Book Exchange raised $1200.
Book Exchange was held in the newly renovated Squires Student Center after it reopened in 1992. Business was hampered in the spring of 1994 when ice caused the first day of classes to be canceled, but thanks to donations from the Squires lost and found, Alpha Phi Omega still made a good profit. In the Spring of 1996, Book Exchange donated excess books to the Books for Russia Drive, sponsored by the Golden Key Honor Society.
After discussion by the Brotherhood, Book Exchange was cancelled as a project in the Fall of 1998 due to lack of student participation.
Cans for Ransom
This project is an inter-organizational can drive, where Zeta Beta "captures" other organization leaders and holds them hostage until their "ransom" of cans is paid.
Campus Cleanup*
Campus Cleanup took place in 1968-69. Originally starting as a poster campaign, Campus Cleanup evolved into a sweep of the campus by brothers and other interested students to pick up trash. Taking place on a Saturday afternoon following a week of publicity, it was last performed as an official campus cleanup in 1975. Zeta Beta's efforts with this project led to the placing of trash receptacles around campus. Since 1975 ZB has continued it's commitment to keeping our campus clean by performing environmental awareness projects, rush projects, and pledge class projects involving the clean-up of various areas on and around campus. In 2013, Zeta Beta does a smaller version of this traditional service project and sets up random dates to gather brothers together and collect trash on campus.
Campus Tours
In the fall of 1966, Dr. M.P. Lacy requested assistance from Alpha Phi Omega to provide tour guides for the visitors to the university, prospective students and their families. On Saturdays, in addition to giving tours, a minimum of two brothers were present in the admissions office to help visitors and answer phones. The VPI Admissions Office discontinued Saturday hours in 1971; however the brothers continued to make hours available for tours during the week.
In 1976, Terri Semon set up Saturday morning tours from Squires Student Center. Derek Dodson prepared a booklet with points of interest and "fun facts" about Tech for the tour guides to use in 1977. During 1983, Zeta Beta conducted tours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. In 1984 Wednesday tours were discontinued.
In 1985 and 1986, the Alpha Phi Omega tour schedule was again revised and remained that way until 1992-93. During this time, tours took place at 11 a.m. on Mondays and Fridays, serving an estimated 900 prospective students and parents each semester.
In 1992-93, the Admissions Office stopped asking brothers to give tours; the next year, they started again on a limited basis, but a campus tours chair was no longer needed and the job now falls under Etceteras whenever the help of Alpha Phi Omega is needed.
The program, as run by Zeta Beta, was terminated in 1995 to allow the Admissions Office to take on the responsibility of campus tours. In the 1998-99 school year, the Admissions Office began a program called Recruiting Student Volunteer Program (RSVP). Their purpose was to provide a means for current students to give guided tours around campus, and Zeta Beta as an organization was no longer needed for service.
Currently, Virginia Tech has Hokie Ambassadors who volunteer these same services and many of our active ZB brothers serve as campus ambassadors.
Chapel Services
In the winter of 1967, a point was made about the Memorial Chapel being closed during evening hours. Brother Alfred C. Payne suggested that the chapter provide a service to the students of the university by looking after the chapel at night so that it could be left open. Thus, the brothers undertook the project of providing a supervisor each night from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Beginning with the winter quarter of 1978, the chapel sits were split up into two shifts.
In 1983, Zeta Beta formed a snow-shovel crew to clear the Chapel's sidewalks. In the fall of 1984, Mrs. Naomi Wilson, chapel hostess and chapter Sweetheart, provided a list of duties brothers could perform to help her.
In the fall of 2000, the responsibilities of Chapel Sits chair was placed under the Etceteras chair.
For thirty years, Chapel Sits provided a valuable service to the campus of Virginia Tech. After the 2002-2003 school year due to policy changes, Zeta Beta discontinued this event.
Throughout its existence, the Zeta Beta chapter has served the campus in a variety of different ways in addition to the above projects. Many of them have been one-time or short term projects, but all have made a difference to the campus and student body of Virginia Tech
In 1949, Zeta Beta provided care of bulletin boards around campus. In 1950 ZB hosted the Virginia Tech Mid Winter Cabaret Dance. In 1951, the chapter sponsored two additional informal dances. From 1953-55 Zeta Beta collected money for records in the dining hall and used books and magazines for the infirmary. Alpha Phi Omega sponsored an after-formals breakfast dance which was held each quarter during the 1957-58 school year. Other projects during that year included assisting with the Honors Day Convocation reception and providing First Aid service at the Commissioning Ceremony in June.
At the request of the Office of Student Affairs, from January 9 through February 18, 1961, Zeta Beta conducted a survey to gain some insight into basic attitudes toward complex social problems on campus. Approximately 69% of the 3500 resident students were questioned. In 1966-67 Zeta Beta assisted with Student Government Polling Booths and provided various services for the infirmary. 1966 also marked the beginning of Zeta Beta's delivery of the Collegiate Times to the dorms. This was later cut back to delivery to several key areas on campus. In the Spring of 1969, the pledge class constructed wooden distribution boxes which were placed around the campus. That summer newly elected First Vice President Guy Moffat led a service program on campus with the brothers attending summer term. The brothers provided tours and assisted with the summer orientation of incoming freshmen. This was the first recorded summer service program.
In the fall of 1971, the chapter adopted the Tim Oliver project. Tim, a new student at Tech was physically handicapped. Brothers would assist him in getting to and from classes. Also in 1971, brothers helped with the delivery of the Student Union Calendars. In 1978, Zeta Beta conducted yard work at Smithfield Plantation under the organization of Jay Alvey.
In 1981, Zeta Beta began the Infirmary Visitation program. For one or two days each week, brothers signed up for a shift and sat in the infirmary so that students could visit friends staying there. Also in 1981 the chapter provided escorts for the Virginia Health Occupations Student's Dance and helped move books into the new wing of the Newman Library.
Before Christmas of 1985, ZB helped put up Christmas decorations on the tree between Squires and the library. In 1985, Matt Radinovic was the Chair and was followed in 1986 by Deborah Dye. ZB also helped with the class elections by manning the polls and counting ballots. This was done in winter of 1985, but was discontinued because of poor turnout.
ZB has continued to help with SGA elections throughout the 1980s and 90s whenever volunteers are asked for. The chapter also frequently participates in the philanthropic events hosted by other sororities and fraternities on campus, including benefit concerts, scavenger hunts, and races.
Concessions
ZB has held a concession stand at Lane Stadium during the football season since 2001. The Treasurer takes the lead of this fundraiser in which Brothers may volunteer by being a cashier or by preparing food.
Governor's Day
In 1968, Zeta Beta began giving tours for legislators, alumni, and guests on Governor's Day. Brothers have been in charge of greeting the Governor and other state dignitaries and providing them with football tickets, name tags, and information about the weekend. This project was combined with the Homecoming Committee in 1990.
Tech Festival/Fair
During the 1967-68 year, the most time consuming project proved to be the Tech Festival. Brothers provided the labor for setup, maintenance, and tear-down.
The first Tech Fair occurred in 1973. In the spring of 1974, the profits from the successful fair totaled $550. The Fourth Annual Tech Fair in 1976, chaired by Bruce Whitcomb, had twenty-three student groups participating. Alpha Phi Omega manned the birthday wheel and sold cotton candy and balloons; the "Little Sisters" had a cake walk. A special visit by the Banana Splits from Kings Dominion and a net profit of $380 made the fair extremely successful. The following year the Tech Fair was canceled due to the lack of student organization support. At the 1978 Tech Fair nightly entertainment and the Tech Trompers square dance group added to the carnival atmosphere; brothers and pledges dressed as clowns selling balloons.
Until 1979 Zeta Beta sponsored High Jinx, a carnival with games and refreshments, for other campus organizations to participate in to raise money for themselves. Unfortunately, the high costs of Squires ballroom and the lack of organization participation forced this sixth annual Tech Fair to be the last.
During the spring of 1982, a new twist was added and the new fair was called Happening on the Green. Held on the drill field, H.O.G. drew participants from both the campus and the community at $15 per group. Whereas High Jinx was a chapter fund-raiser, H.O.G. supported the Multiple Sclerosis Society and raised $420 the first year.
Virginia Tech Union
In 1991, Alpha Phi Omega began to help the Virginia Tech Union with the load-in and load-out of touring musicals and other events coming to Tech. Brothers also assist with the setup of lights, wardrobe, program distribution, moving scenery and props during the show, and breaking everything down after the show. In 1991-92, this project raised $380 for two shows. The following year, this project was expanded to eight shows. In 1993, Alpha Phi Omega helped the Virginia Tech Union set up seven shows, including the largest shows ever to come to Tech. Zeta Beta brothers provided between 80 to 250 hours per show. This work paid off as Zeta Beta made $2660 for its work as well as received twenty-five complimentary tickets per show. In 1997, due to the decrease in the number of brothers, Alpha Phi Omega shared this project with Pi Kappa Phi. ZB made $400 per show for a total of eight shows in the fall semester. After the 2001-2002 school year, there were no official VTU chairs, as it became a more informal and infrequent project. One Brother, who also belonged to VTU would pass around information about upcoming events to the Brotherhood.