University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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arah Smucker O itting around their kitchen table, three students who chose not to be part of the Greek system enjoy a con versation in their apartment. On reason students chose not to go Gree was because they felt the systen would not allow them to havefriendi outside of the system. Greek story by Tracy 31W People question the purpose of the Greek system and the integrity of the people who are involved in it, and admit- tedly, I did the same before I became a member. It is easy to do. At face value, the Greek system appears to be an organization which charges its members money to obtain friendships and a party schedule; however if this were the case, the concept of fraternities and sororities would have been eliminated long ago. Yes, the social life is an enhancing factor, but there are other factors that make the system popular. Events like Greek Week display what the Greek system represents. During Greek Week, the system bands together to achieve the goals of a large scale community service and philanthropy project. In 1 996, we were able to raise over $3,000 for organizations that benefit children, such as the Make-a-Wish Foundation. What other organization gives me the chance to dive into a full vat of green Jello searching for golf balls with people cheering me on, while I raising money for a valuable cause? I admit there is a negative connotation which has been unjustly attached to the Greek system. It is not a system solely dedicated to partying. It is a system that participates in activities that raise money for needy causes, promotes service, and is a great deal of fun. It is an organization that allows people to become leaders, encourages activism in a variety of other organizations, and is composed of diverse individuals. The Greek system has allowed me to express my pride not only as a member of the system, but as a student as well. I have been and am a member of a number of other organizations, and none of them offer all of these things to me. The Greek system is unique, and I am proud to be affiliated. Joining a sorority was one of the best decisions I made during my college career. + 40 4 To Be or Not to Be Greek? story by Chip Petersn For five days of my life I thought I wanted to be member of the Greek system. My first two weeks as a student at the University I made very few new friends. Many of my, friends here I knew from high school, and we all stuck together But I wasn ' t meeting new people, and I felt like I was missing out on a part of college life. I thought the Greek system woulc give me an opportunity to meet new people as well as help me find my place in the large crowd of first-year students. The concept of Rush made me nervous. I did not understand how the fraternities decided who they wanted tc extend a bid to after only knowing a person for five days. The first four nights of Rush were better than I expected. I ate gooc food and really liked the guys I met. I thought I was going tc be given a bid. It was on the night of the rushee dinner that realized that the Greek system was not for me. Eight guys we invited to the dinner; seven were to be given a bid. Just befon dinner I was told that I would have to stand up and tell a joke I have never been one to tell jokes, especially in a room of 7 guys. When I thought about joining the Greek system, it wa; to give me a way to make more friends. Yet, as my first ye progressed, I met more people both in my dorm and in m; classes. I have spent most of my college days with these people If I had joined a fraternity I would have never met the peopl that I did. The Greek system may very well be ideal for som people, but I know that I will forever cherish the friendships tha I have made on my own more so than I ever would have, ha I made the mistake of letting someone else tell me who m; friends would be based upon my ability to tell a funny joke. j iayut by Banna Cartwrighl

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Jf cohering with other Affirmative Action supporters, a student holds a sign promot- ing Affinnative Action policies at the Uni- versity. At this rally, people ofniait racial and ethnic backgrounds gathered to voice their opinions.

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tf MMIMMI) Struggling to hold their ground, the Delta Kappa Epsilon tug-of-war team partici- pates in one of the many Greek Week activi- ties. For students who chose to join the Greek system, it provided an opportunity for members of different fraternities and sororities to join forces in an effort to raise money for philanthropies. Joshu i Greenberg To Be or Not to Be Greek? - 4 1