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September 6, 2016
WHAT'S BELOW?
Trial update in missing alum case
‘Bit of everything’
THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM
Fraternity leader plans Greek housing for near future as chapters seek to maintain member diversity during recruitment
STORY BY NIDHI GOTGI | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PHOTO BY ANKITH AVERINENI | MERCURY STAFF GRAPHIC BY CHAD AUSTIN | ASSISTANT GRAPHICS EDITOR FSL AT UTD | SOURCE
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s recruitment begins for a community that is already home to more than 700 students, Greek organizations on campus are aiming to continue diversifying their membership and pushing for housing. Sept. 6 marks the start of rush events for Kappa Sigma, the oldest fraternity at UTD. Cameron Peterson, who is currently the president, said the founding members were leaders on campus, which set the standard for Greek involvement across UTD. “You’ll see touches and traces of (Greek life) everywhere,” he said. “I think that’s how (fraternity and sorority life) has kind of evolved, just (by) being involved as much as possible other than just in Greek life.” As Kappa Sigma’s 25th anniversary approaches this March, Peterson’s goal is to establish strong ties with the fraternity’s alumni. “We’re working towards building a better alumni basis because we are the oldest on campus, so we’d like to have a better connection with them so we can do bigger things,” he said. A long-term objective that could be achieved through a stronger alumni network is Greek housing, Peterson said. “The other project I’m working on right now is to establish a housing campaign, but not necessarily a house just yet,” he said. “(Just) something to get that in the near future, you know five to 10 years.”
→ SEE GREEK, PAGE 14
La’Tressa Graham, the vice president and treasurer of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, performed at the Multicultural Greek and National Pan-Hellenic Councils’ Showcase on Sept. 1. at the Activity Center.
Jury picking UTD affiliates race motorcycles for charity Faculty members, students help raise money for Special Olympics of Texas while enjoying hobby together begins Sept. 6 for Arochi ARIANA HADDEN Mercury Staff
12 jurors needed to try man accused of kidnapping UTD grad Jury selection for the trial of Enrique Arochi is set to begin Sept. 6. Collin County grand jury accused the Allen man of aggravated kidnapping in the disappearance of UTD alumna Christina Morris. Morris disappeared the morning of August 30, 2014 at The Shops at Legacy in Plano. Security footage last captured her walking into a parking garage with Arochi at 3:55 a.m. According to the Dallas Morning News, 125 potenAROCHI tial jurors are expected to appear at the Collin County courthouse to start the jury selection process. The pool must be narrowed to 12 jurors before the trial can start. The trial is estimated to last around two weeks. Arochi has pled not guilty. If convicted, Arochi faces up to life in prison. Follow utdmercury.com for updates on the trial.
UTD faculty Scott Steffen and Richard Marler took part in this year’s Corporate Challenge: the Great Ride to raise money for the Special Olympics of Texas. With the company of hundreds of other bikers, including UTD students, Steffen and Marler rode their motorcycles to support the cause. The Corporate Challenge is an Olympic style series of charity events held every year from late August through early October. One of these events includes the Great Ride, where a group of people travel a pre-determined route on their motorcycles. Like the 22 other events, the Great Ride raises money for the Special Olympics of Texas. IT Manager Marler and his wife attended the charity event for the second time on Sept. 3. “My wife and I rode last year,” Marler said. “I’ve been (at the Research and Operations Center) since 2002 so the Corporate Challenge has been going on for some years. There was always talk of joining it and participating. I’m not really much of an athlete so I figured, ‘Hey, I can ride a motorcycle.’” Although he has not participated in all of the Corporate Challenge events, this is not Office of Information Technology Systems Analyst Steffen’s first time joining in the Great Ride. Steffen also took part in the kick-off walk. “Every year on Friday evening at the start of (the event) they have a walk,” Steffen said. “It’s another participation event where they give you a marble
RUTH VARGHESE | MERCURY STAFF
Systems Analyst Scott Steffan (third from left) and IT Manager Richard Marler (second from right) competed in the 2016 Corporate Challenge: the Great Ride motorcycle ride — an event that is almost 90 miles — with other members from UTD.
at the beginning of the walk and at the half mile mark you drop it into whatever bucket your team is, so you drop it in the UTD bucket and you walk back. So if you wanted to you could go and get another marble and do it again.” Not only does Corporate Challenge have a kick-off event, but there are many other activities besides the Great Ride. From table tennis and volleyball to corn hole and horseshoes, the Corporate Challenge has events for people of all ages
and preferences, and all the events are spread out over the course of three weeks. “I participated in the running event in the past and kept in the running team,” Steffen said. “A few years ago, they started the Great Ride and somehow I heard about it. I wasn’t able to ride because my bike was getting repaired, but (Marler) rode that year.” Although Steffen enjoys riding his motorcycle, he said that the cause of the event is equally important.
“For me I think it’s a good charity event,” Steffen said. “It’s a good excuse to get together and go on a ride and hang out with a bunch of like-minded people. It’s over roads that we are way too familiar with so it’s not something new to us. We are very supportive of the cause.” Richardson Sponsorship Director for the Corporate Challenge Donna Leach said that the event was originally started
→ SEE BIKE RACE, PAGE 14