PULLMAN – Fraternity efforts to clean up College Hill are inspiring applause from neighbors and plans to expand the effort to other Greek houses.
Since October, members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity have spent Sunday mornings picking up litter, raking leaves and removing snow in a four-block area.
“After every weekend, we’d notice beer cans, cups and fast-food wrappers,” said SAE member Kyle McKeeman. So he and frat brother Scott Hertzel developed the service project to help improve their neighborhood.
Thomas Brigham, WSU psychology professor and 35-year resident of College Hill, said he was happy when he learned of the project but was not optimistic that students would follow through.
“Happily, I was wrong. Every other Sunday morning they’ve been there, even raking leaves for many of our older residents.
“But the ultimate test was the cold and rainy Sunday after the Apple Cup. When other folks were on their way home (for Thanksgiving break), they were out picking up the neighborhood.”
During winter, SAE members are on call to take out garbage and shovel snow for local residents. McKeeman and Hertzel are working with Bobbie Ryder, senior campus planner, and the College Hill Association to develop a map with different “territories” that could be adopted by other Greek organizations.
“Our goal is to have the whole neighborhood covered,” said McKeeman. “That way, you take pride in your own block. We’re excited to get other groups involved this spring.”
