University of Mississippi - Ole Miss Yearbook (Oxford, MS)

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The town of Oxford boasts many business establishments which offer the opportunity for merriment. The Gin, the Deli, Oliver ' s, and the Warehouse are usually packed on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Nearby Sardis Reservoir is a popular spot for an afternoon beer bust or a quiet liquid picnic. Of course, it is only 80 miles to Memphis and Overton Square, while students will even drive to Cleveland, Mississippi, to go to Sharpe Street Station. Off-campus activities also include parties sponsored by the Cavaliers and the Yuletide Revelers as well as by various debutante societies (includ- ing those based in Greenwood, Jackson, Greenville, and Memphis.) Many think that an increased emphasis on academics in recent years would drive students away from parties and into the library; how- ever, there are always those who prefer a major in Memphis and a minor in Sardis to the drudgery of books. Regardless, at the Party School of the South or the Country Club of Mississippi, a person can always find a social function somewhere at any time. Page 28, Top Kathryn Becker and Donnie Kisner demonstrate that most Ole Miss par ties lead to dancing (including the Pretzel, the Chi Shuffle, the Slide, the Roller Coaster, the Hustle, the Bulldog, and the Alligator); Page 28, Bottom Left Linda Monk charms admirers at the Order of Omega Fall Champaign Social; Page 28, Bottom Right Silky ' s is a popular spot to congregate at Memphis ' s Overton Square; Page 29, Top Left ATO Hat Party; Page 29, Bottom Left KA Old South; Page 29, Bottom Right Halloween is celebrated even by university students as demonstrated by Dave Kelly and Buster Turner.

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By continuing Ole Miss traditions . . . Ole Miss is nationally known as a university which stresses academics, athletics, and par- ties. The results of academic and athletic ven- tures many times produce the need for a party (that is, to celebrate a good grade or a victory - - or to relieve misery produced by missed questions or missed touchdowns). Therefore, regardless of the progress made in the academic or athletic areas, the partying tradition of the Ole Miss campus will never die. From the Welcome Back Rebels parties to those of the Fall Festival, Dixie Week, and Red and Blue, there is always a party somewhere. Usually, the image of Ole Miss as a party school is firmly implanted in the mind of a high school student when he or she first attends a fraternity Rush or football-weekend party. Then, if that student does indeed enroll at the University, he sees that most fraterni- ties have yearly parties that have become as traditional as Homecoming - - ATO Super Formal or Hat Party, Deke World War III Party, Kappa Alpha Old South, Kappa Sig South Seas, Phi Delta Ivy League, Phi Tau Wild West, Pike Shrimp and Beer, SAE Patty Murphy, Sigma Chi Derby Day, and Sigma Nu Roaring 20 ' s.

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students perpetuate their Bbeli When contemplating our first year at the Univer- sity, we imagined what would occur and how we would be affected. For many incoming freshmen and transfer students, Sorority or Fraternity Rush is one of the events which can definitely produce anxiety. In fact, except for pre-college, Rush is the first official activity for some new Ole Miss stu- dents. More women went out for Formal 1977 Fall Soror- ity Rush than ever causing the pledge class quota to be 58, while 593 men participated in Formal Fall Fraternity Rush the largest number since 1966. Although slightly less than 50 per cent of the stu- dent body is a member of a sorority or fraternity, Greek life permeates every aspect of the Univer- sity. Greeks consistently compose the majority of leadership on campus. Through being a Greek, a student has the duty of perpetuating his organization ' s beliefs and objec- tives by putting Greek letters on his jacket or car, by being active in Rush, and by teaching pledges what he has learned about life. Only a Greek knows what it means to have a little brother or sis- ter who is not blood-wise related to him. (It is pos- sible to have both a Greek little brother and a little sister if your fraternity has a little sister program or if you are a member of both a sorority organiza- tion and a fraternity little sister program.) Having a little brother or sister is especially meaningful to you if you are an only child or if your parents have progeny of only one sex. Togetherness and loyalty are important aspects of Greek life. A fraternity sitting together at a football game, brothers and sisters unitedly working for one of their own kind in an election, a group talk- ing and dressing alike, and pledges studying together in study hall are all examples of brotherly and sisterly elements. To see a brother or sister do well in an election, pageant, or other contest; to watch your pledge class beat another in a football game; to compete for your organization in Greek Week or Dixie Week; to become close to your housemother, or to do well in Rush are fulfilling experiences. Like- wise, when your group faces disappointment it is helpful to have others with whom to share the tragedy. 30 Greek Experiences Top Missy Ruff and Bea Fowlkes pose beside the Tri-Delt Sorority Union Halloween Carnival display; Center Champion of the Greek system David Halle gives his farewell speech at the IFC-Order of Omega banquet in the spring of 1977; Bottom E. W. Atkin- son, Kenny Barraza, Mark Pearson, and Ric Folk welcome a Rushee during Formal Frater- nity Rush.