Ball State University - Orient Yearbook (Muncie, IN)

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Greek for me Rushees find belonging on Riverside Avenue 66 ATCH FOR THOSE 29 NEW FLAMIN' BABES. You are such a sharp group and we are so proud of you. There are so many neat experiences you have to look forward to, and now you have some very special sisters to share them with. To many associated with the Greek culture, these words inspire a feeling of importance and belonging. To many in- dependents these words, quite common in the personal section of the newspaper, are meaningless and fake. Personal notices like this one appear during the last few weeks of September for sorority rush, and later for fraternity round robin. There must be some reward for going through the parties, meetings, line-ups and house duties involved in going Greek. Most people said meeting people and making new friends were important. They say Greeks add life to campus, said Liz Guyer, Delta Gamma pledge. My grades have greatly improved since high school, said Carroll Kirchner, a member of Pi Pheta Phi Sorority. lVl.any sororities and fraternities have study ses- sions for all new pledges. Money, that essential part of every col- lege student's life, is another factor in making the decision to pledge. From the very first S4 registration to dues, that green stuff is a necessary requirement for living the Greek life. I felt pledging was going to be an asset throughout the rest of my life. You meet a lot of people and it makes you more of a person, said Brad Johnson, Sigma Chi pledge. They were real honest with us when DECISIONS MUST be made. Visiting the Delta Zeta suite gives Susan Watson, Indianapolis junior, the opportunity to talk with members about their group. we were checking them out. They told us what it would be like to pledge. Through rush and round robin they get a good idea what you're really like enough to judge you, said Johnson. Some students are excited and im- mediately decide to join a fraternity or sorority. Others are not sure if they want to make the transition from G.D.I to frat and sorority life. l went through all the parties and meetings, but I decided to wait until next year. It is too big of a decision to make for a freshman after only about three weeks in school, said Alan Richter, Kokomo freshman, who decided to delay pledging. Joining a fraternity or sorority involves being chosen by that organinzation. Opi- nions, impressions and feelings toward a candidate are discussed and the lucky ones are selected. Others, for one reason or another, are blackballed and not in- vited back. You can't judge what someone is really like on just first impressions. The whole system is really not fair, said Alaric Chichuk, Indianapolis junior. I know a lot of people that really are down after they get rejected by a fraternity. They say, 'Why me? What did I do wrong?' People really get hurt about not being ac- cepted and it isn't fair, said Chichuk. I never pledged because some people do it just for the prestige they think comes with it. To me it's like you're just buying friends. You can save the 35300, or whatever it costs, and find some real friends, said Chichuk. Johnson, however, gave the Greek lside of the argu- ment. Down on Riverside there's a fraternity for every kind of guy and a sorority for every kind of girl. Just because you don't get accepted by one doesn't mean you're done. You just have to look for another fraternity. E byKittyKirk Rush

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l ,,7,..,..,...K.., n r rides the icy wi In spite of the Weather, bikes and trikes strained to take the Sigma Switch tape HILLY tricycle seats and ice-cold bike handlebars greeted the competitors. Wind whipped the spectators as they filled the stands. Amid cheers, laughter, ap- plause and multitudes of goosebumps, Sigma Switch got underway. The day started with the tricycle race. Participants carefully lined up on the star- ting line and hunched forward on their trikes in anticipation. When the gun went off the trikes surged forward as the men spun tires to see who would take the trike crown. Delta Chi took the first place honors. Delta Tau Delta 1 and Sigma Chi 1 took second and third place, respectively. The king contest was the next event of the day. Whistles and applause ac- companied the contestants and their escort out to the center of the track. Hurlbut's representative Bobby Novak was crowned king after winning by a large margin in the penny voting. After a few laps in cars for the king and his court, the track was cleared for the main event of the day--the girl's bicycle race. Coaches were surrounded by riders as last minute instructions were issued. Bikes were checked and riders prepared for the grueling race. Sweat pants were peeled off and thrown to coaches and friends. Legs pumped and strained as bicycles rolled from the starting line. Momentum picked up and the bicyclists sprinted into the first turn. Already riders were jockey- ing for position and drafting opponents. Most teams hung with the pack for the first few laps, but some teams were already showing their speed. The Wagoner Complex team showed their com- petiveness by leading five of the first six laps. Their speed was obvious, but en- durance was the question. While some team members yelled sup- port for their riders, others just rested. For- ty laps meant a lot of pushing and pulling with tired legs. During the later stages of cbs.. William E Vanfv BOB NOVAK, Anderson sophomore, and Kelly Wiseman, Richmond sophomore, share a laugh after his crowning as Sigma Switch King. the race, cramps, blisters and scrapes had to be nursed. The long hours of practice paid off for the Wagoner team. The early lead was enough to coast to a victory. The Horizon team took home both the independent and over-all trophies. Alpha Chi Omega won the women's Greek division, while Wind- jammers, another independent team, plac- ed second over-all. lt wasn't as much of a success as we would have liked it to have been. The women's bike race just doesn't draw peo- ple like the men's race in the spring, said Judy Updike, chairman of the event spon- sored by Sigma Sigma Sigma. We even gave a bike away to the team with the most fans, but we still didn't draw the crowd we'd like. We still consider it a success because we made about Sl,00O, said Updike. The money was donated to Big Brothers of Delaware County. We have some ideas to make next year more exciting, but this year was still a lot of fun. Cl by Tammy Feller DETERMINATION and concentration pave the way as these bike riders pedal toward their COITY' mon goal. The event ended with a donation to B19 Brothers. Jr 24 Sigma Switch