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Beta Theta Pi will be hosting its 13th annual Sleep Out on Feb. 17 in front of its house at 12 Munson Road.
The event raises money for the Rape Response Services of Bangor. It will be held from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday. The Sleep Out hopes to not only raise money but also awareness in the community.
In 2002, six cases of forcible sex offense were reported to Public Safety. That number grew to seven the next year, and in 2004, it increased to nine.
Kathy W. Walker, executive director of Rape Response Services, said, “During the past 12 months, 55 sexual assaults were reported to this agency, fewer than in previous years, but still far too many. Beta is trying to reduce these numbers and to give a voice to the victims, and we are very appreciative of these efforts.”
Rape Response Services provides a 24-hour hot line for anyone affected by sexual assault on campus and throughout Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.
It is turning more toward a goal of prevention altogether. Over the past year, they have made presentations to more than 10,000 kindergarten through 12th-grade students in the region.
Gustavo Burkett, the assistant director of campus activities for student activities and Greek life, commented on the longevity of the event.
“Each year, the Sleep Out has gotten bigger and bigger,” he said. “It started off as a bunch of guys sleeping out on the lawn, then added a bonfire, and eventually added an educational component that provides a way to improve the UMaine campus and the surrounding community.”
Last year, Beta raised more than $1,000 for the cause and, while there is no specific amount they are trying to reach this year, the brothers hope to exceed last year’s total.
During the event, the brothers will have 100 percent participation of the brotherhood. From Friday night until Saturday morning, the 44 brothers will gather in front of the house around a bonfire and sell raffle tickets to raise money for the cause. The tickets are $1 each or $5 for six.
Early in the night hot dogs, hamburgers and hot drinks will be provided for patrons of the event, which is taking place on the same night as the Winter Carnival Late Night and the men’s ice hockey game against Boston College.
“I think the hockey game will help with the raffle sales as the fans go to the game. Also, as it’s a community event, we like to give people hot chocolate as they go by,” said Will Gove, Beta Eta chapter president and a senior information systems engineering major.
Monetary donations to the campus are also welcomed.
The event will kick off with a few guest speakers. In the past, the Safe Campus Project has spoken at the event along with Ben Atherton-Zeman from the greater Boston area. Atherton-Zeman performs a one-man play using humor and impressions of celebrity voices to bring these subjects into light while minimizing male defensiveness, according to his Web site. He will perform his play this year at 3 p.m. Feb. 17 in Bangor Room of Memorial Union. He will speak later at the Sleep Out. His appearance is funded by Student Entertainment.
“Last year, Atherton-Zeman played a tape of an actual 911 call that just seemed to silence everyone. It brought the issue to such a light that it was just made that much more real,” said Gove.
This year, the chapter hopes to bring Sgt. Deborah Mitchell of Public Safety’s community policing division to speak.
Jessie White, a senior business administration major, said, “I think it’s cool that someone is going through the trouble to raise money to help people who have gone through something like that.”
For more information, to make a donation or to purchase raffle tickets, contact Andrew Knapp on FirstClass or by phone at 581-8323.
Bangor Daily News