University of Rhode Island - Renaissance / Grist Yearbook (Kingston, RI)

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◄ Celebrating the ex- citement of bids day as all the sororities join hands and run around the circle. ◄ Sunning on the decks of Phi Kappa Psi. ▲ Fiji’s Blue Hawaiian social got everyone psyched for the upcoming Fiji Islander. Greeks 27

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Inspiration Week Drastic Change From 20 Years Ago ▲ In 1947, the end of Hell Week was symbolized with a lampshade at the Sophomore Court. During Hell Week, the walkers ordered a bucket of hot water back in the living room of their house. ► “Hell Week.” The phrase instills fear in fraternity and sorority pledges, and sparks the curiosity and often hostility of members of the non-Greek community. A guest speaker at the Intrafraternity-Panhellenic leadership conference this year was the founder of an organization who seeks to make the Greek system safe for its participants. It is not against frater- nities and sororities but against dangerous initiation practices, better known as hazing. Eileen Stevens recognizes the benefits a Greek house offers. Strong friendships, leadership and responsibility, par- ticipation in philanthropic and cultural activities, social develop- ment and most importantly, a feel- ing of belonging and self-worth. The quality of each chapter house is the sum of the characters of its in- dividual members. Hell Week, more correctly termed Inspiration Week can be compared to try-outs for an athletic team. Those pledges who have the willingness and ability to contribute, will be initiated. The ac- tivities comprising an Inspiration Week are not designed with malicious intent. Rather they pro- mote unity in the pledge class, (a key element in the functioning of any organization) and an apprecia- tion of the workings of a fraterni- ty sorority and the commitment it entails. As one can easily observe by walking across campus, no two in- dividuals are alike; not everyone is a member of the sailing club, student lecture series, or the Cigar staff. And not everyone is or should be a member of a Greek House. Inspira- tion Week, if planned properly with due consideration to safety, offers pledges an opportunity to decide for full participation or none at all. Patricia Gingras 26 Greeks

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A Lifestyle Unique to GR1 Down-the-Liners Survive on Their Own Cinderblock walls are a thing of the past now. You ' ve made the choice to live — Down-the-Line. No more dining hall food, or bathrooms shared by a dozen. You have a kit- chen to cook whatever you’re in the mood for, and a shower with hot water past 8 o’clock am. Being a down-the-liner isn’t even comparable to campus life as new responsibilities emerge when the bills arrive in the beginning of Oc- tober. What happened in September? That month really flew by fast. September was the month of getting use to the new lifestyle. Taking a swim before classes wasn’t unusual as you try to stretch out the summer. Even though you’re back at school, you’re not on campus 24 hours a day so other activities take priority now. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights — you can always find a down-the-line party. Some have parties to show off the new liv- ing arrangements while others ap- preciate the freedom of not having any restrictions put on them. Sitting around the kitchen table eating fresh fish from the docks, the first set of bills is discussed. Why is the electric bill so high? You learn that when you’re paying for the elec- tricity, you can’t leave lights on all night. A garbage pick up bill? Whoever heard of paying the gar- bage men to pick up your garbage. At least we haven’t had to turn the heat on yet. When you decide to move off campus, many students don ' t realize the added responsibility you have on your shoulders besides your schoolwork. Being short-sighted, all that you see is the freedom. No more R.A.’s writing you up for blasting your stereo. No more house mothers waking up as you come in late after a wild social. But after a few months, reality strikes you as the phone company threatens to disconnect your phone or the oil company won ' t deliver oil unless it’s cash-on-delivery. This is when you begin to ask yourself — is it all worth it? A majority of down-the-liners would answer yes. It’s a challenge to make it on your own. You’re forced It’s a challenge to make it on your own. to budget your money. You may have to give up buying food for a week in order to pay a bill, but it definitely teaches you not to spend your money foolishly. Down-the-line living makes you grow up on your own. You actually begin to appreciate all that your 28 Down-the-Line