Derby Days continue despite Panhel boycott

Derby Days are back. And all things taken into consideration, everything is going quite well, despite a Panhellenic Council decision in February to boycott the annual philanthropic event sponsored by the Sigma Chi fraternity. Teams for the days, made up in the past by sororities, compete against each other in hopes of raising the most money for the Children's Crisis Treatment Center of Philadelphia. Derby Days Co-Chairperson and Engineering junior Tim Blake said although there are fewer teams this year -- 10 this year as opposed to last year's 15 -- the competition is still fierce and fundraising on target. And the Sigma Chi brothers are still upbeat. "The events have been going well," Blake said last night. "So far we've had a movie night, and last night there was a wings eating contest. We've had good participation so far." Rick Dagrosa, last year's Derby Days chairperson, said that the events were "going great." The College and Engineering senior said he expects the "Casino Night," which will be held tonight, and the "Blow-Out Party" tomorrow will both be great successes. Derby Days -- which aims to raise money for the crisis treatment center -- consists of such events as a cheesesteak eating competition and a night out at Smokey Joe's, which took place last night. The events have raised more than $35,000 for the CCTC in the last four years. But Panhel followed a national trend of boycotting the event that stemmed from the concerns of the national organization. Panhel decided to boycott the event because of concerns over sexist activity associated with the events, former Panhel president Allison Marinoff said when the boycott was announced. In a letter to all chapters, Marinoff said, "considerable concerns and strong disfavor have arisen both here and across the country over the recent years regarding the conduct of [fraternity brothers at Derby Days]." Some students said last night they agree with Marinoff. "I don't really agree with the philosophy behind Derby Days," Pi Beta Phi sister Amy Sykes said last night. "But I think it should be an individual decision whether one should participate. "I think it was probably a good decision to boycott this year, but to leave the door open to have future negotiations with Sigma Chi," the College senior added. "I don't think the event has no socially redeeming value because it does raise money for charity." Sykes also said she is happy the fraternity tried to take action to make the events appear less sexist, such as making the teams include both men and women.