University of Wisconsin Eau Claire - Periscope Yearbook (Eau Claire, WI)

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will 1 gain by pledging a sorority or fraternity? According to Manthey. students get out of a sorority or fraternity what they put into it. Sororities and fraternities provide a way to become part of an active group, Manthey said. An annual dance marathon to raise money for muscular dystrophy is sponsored by the Greeks and requires planning and cooperation between the sororities and fraternities. Social events: parent's weekend, ski trips. theme parties and dinner dances require extensive arrangements. “The friends you make last a lifetime-belonging to a sorority binds you together. Manthey said. Dave Arbuckle said he left the dorm to join Phi Gamma Delta (Figis) when he realized dorm life wasn't providing him with the social involvement and close friendships he had expected. I'm amazed at the number of people I’ve met, he said. Working on fraternity projects is a great way to really get to know people.”0 Above: TouKuppa Kpmlon members Bob Dean. Tom Pollock. Todd Piper and Bill Weber finalized plana for a rush meeting before interested students arrived.

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Greek rush Making the first move Below Panhellenlc Council President Down Faber explained what sorority life h like to prospective mew ben til a rush meeting. By Nancy Templar An ability to swallow goldfish isn't a prerequisite to join a fraternity and sororities no longer require the girls they rush to be blue-eyed blondes or to have fathers who earn over $50,000 a year. The snob appeal of sororities and fraternities is gone. Dawn Faber. Alpha Xi Delta and Panhellcnic Council president said. Yet. many student label the Greeks as snobbish or stuck-up individuals who prove their group royalty through initiations or hazing. Faber said. People fall back on stereotypes because it's the easy way out. Laura Manthcy. Sigma Sigma Sigma, said. “It's easier to form an opinion based on stereotypes than to take the time to find out what's really involved in sorority life. Hazing, for example, is now forbidden by both the National Panhellcnic Council and Inter-fraternity Council. To make someone do something against their morals or principles is not considered a reflection of friendship. Rush is the time we try to clear up misconceptions. Faber said. Kush, conducted at the beginning of each semester, allows individuals interested in joining a sorority or fraternity to meet members of the groups, to learn about projects they are involved in and find out about sorority or fraternity life. Each sorority and fraternity is different. Manthey said, although there’s always a big mixture of personalities; there's usually a dominant trait in each group, she said. Similiar people attract. Rowdy guys will attract and their fraternity will get the reputation of being rowdy. Some sororities party a lot. while others do more philanthropy. Rush week is filled with parties, open houses and other activities to help prospective members decide whether or not to become a Greek. Before a decision is made, there is the question to be answered: fust what 28 Greek rush

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Back-to-school Dreaming the possible dream While the majority of students on campus arc 18 to 25 years old. they are not the only students. There arc stu-dents in their 30s, 40s. 50s. 60s. 70s and 80s. In fact. Marcy White, senior citizen education advisor, said one student on campus is 89. White said the Senior Citizen Education Program offers free education to anyone 62 years and older who wishes to audit a class. There were more than 80 students enrolled in the program during the spring semester. White said there will be more than 100 enrolled next fall. “We offer them free education since auditors do not create any extra work for instructors. White said. They do not write papers or take exams, so the instructors do not have to correct any of their work. “Even though they are auditors, they arc still encouraged to participate in class.” White said the older students are issued ID cards, which entitle them to student rates. They are also entitled to free parking under the program, she said. “They hunt for parking spaces just like the other students, White said. Some of them arrive at 7 am to make sure they have a parking place. White said the students take a variety of courses. 'They take anything from cross country skiing to history of Wisconsin to religious studies. she said. “A lot of students take courses about things they have come in contact with during their lifetimes and want to pursue. The Senior Citizen Program began four years ago. White said, when UW-System Regent. John Levine, suggested the university accept senior citizens. When the program began, older students were paying half tuition to audit classes. White said she actively recruits people to the Senior Citizen Program, speaking to retirement groups and nursing homes. T would like to see a grant from the federal government that would help fund such a program. White said. Because the birthrate is down, the number of people attending universities is going to decrease. If something isn't done to attract a larger number of older students, classes arc going to have to be dropped. O -------------------- Arlene MacDonald For Arlene MacDonald, part-time journalism student, obtaining a degree is a personal accomplishment. With three children in college and one in junior high. I decided to go back and finish my original major and English minor. she said. Having a sheet of paper that says 'Tve graduated will help her find a job. she said. MacDonald hopes to be a free-lance writer following her December graduation. She said living near campus also encouraged her to return to school. MacDonald said she finds time for her family, while maintaining her involvement in volunteer work. You have to learn to use your time more wisely.” she said. And some nights you stay up late studying. “I've found that I don't have time for entertaining the neighbors anymore. she said. Coffee clutches have ended. MacDonald said no one makes her feel older, the students treat her as another classmate, not their mother. Her children have accepted her studies with cheerful wisdom. she said. They are interested in her schoolwork and tease her when she receives phone calls concerning classes from male journalism students. 'They think it's funny when the boys call me Arlene. she said, and they call me Mom. o Left: Arlene MacDonald, journalism student and Chuck Cohont. tpent time in the photography lab developing pictures lor press photography. 30 Bock-loschool