Valparaiso University - Beacon / Record Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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Greek life at VU is on the upswing With eight local sororities and twelve national social fraternities on campus, Valparaiso hosts a relatively large Greek system. About 40 percent of students, excluding freshmen, belong to a Greek organization, and the percentage grows each year. Greek organizations across the nation have been the subject of much controversy in past years. Movies like Animal House and Revenge of the Nerds have presented a distorted picture of fraternity and sorority life, which has aroused the concern of administrators, parents and even students. For the most part hazing pledges has become obsolete, some incidents are still reported. The biggest problem today is consumption of alcohol by minors, which has spurred Despite tightened local policies and bad press about Greek chapters nationwide, moves to l'dry out campuses nationwide. Failure to adhere to stricter policies has resulted in the dissolution of many Greek chapters. Until Greeks realize the seriousness of the administrators, restrictions will continue to tighten for the many chapters that still remain. In past years, even fraternities and sororities at VU were presenting a negative image. Problems with alcohol caused most of the uproar, and stricter policies were introduced. Though at first these 3iccihol policies caused much controversy among students, many of the complaints have subsided. There haven't been as many concerns from parents and administrators since the adoption of these policies, and the Greek system's image at VU seems to be moving toward the positive. The most apparent change is the banning of freshmen from parties where alcohol was served for the first seven weeks of school. Many complain that this delays their drinking and hits them at mid-terms with the effects of freedom, but it also forces them to get to know each other before the semester is almost over. The past three freshman classes do seem to have a strong fellowship within themselves, without alcohol provided by fraternity keggars and happy hours. Fraternities and sororities have attempted to adjust to the changes, too, by sponsoring non-alcoholic mixers for freshman men and women. Most of these parties are very successful, not only for the freshmen, but also for the members of the Greek system. Fraternities an sororities pair up to use these event as fundraisers, and the men use the as rush functions. This allows members to get-acquainted-with freshmen in a non-alcoholic setting before formal rushing begins. The policy against charging-fer alcohol has made the Armory partie and happyshours remnants of the past. In addition, a non-alcoholic beverage must be available at all parties where alcohol is being serve and it is recommended that iiThere is no excuse for people saying they did not want to drink When they come home drunk. ii fraternities serve some kind of food throughout the evening. lnter-fraternity Council President Russ Fowler feels that these changes have forced students to take on mo responsibility. Since the alternatives to drinking are so well publicized, students no longer can push off the personal responsibility on the T

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Photos by Sherry LaMorticella Upper left: Arts arid crafts displays attracted many patrons to the Valparaiso area despite the crowded streets. Upper right: Entering the finish chute together are Journalism Professor Carl Galow and English Professor William Turner. Lower left: Although Quarterback Scott Lange 0er was a victim of the 93-degree heat and was forced to leave the Popcorn Bowl, the Crusaders rallied to win, 28-24. Lower right: Showering runners at the finish line was necessary to offset the intense heat. Opposite page. Above: This crowd is just one of the many formed along Lincolnway and its adjacent streets during the 7th annual Popcorn Festival. Below: As part of a Muppet clan, Kermit rides along the parade route to entertain the younger audience. Popcorn FestivaV17

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fraternity. No one is forced to drink, he said. There is no excuse for people saying they didn't want to drink when they come home drunk. The fraternities had to take on more responsibility for the people they serve, too. Members of the house were stationed at the door during parties to make sure that alcohol didn't leave the party and to f IFC and ISC are working to present a positive image of the Greek system. , restrict entrance when the house was filled to capacity. For the first seven weeks of school, students were l'carded to assure the exclusion of freshmen. Sororities also faced more responsibility. Members of sororities helped guard the door and were also required to provide the non- aleeholic beverage at all parties. sSOrority and fraternity presidents can ; i-also face legal action for infractions Wtaused by members of their groups. IFC and lnter-Sorority Council are thFreshmen and independen ts often look for stereotypes like they see on T.V.ll f working to present a very positive image of the Greek system to townspeople, administrators and independent students, especially freshmen. ISC President Holly Mets feels that there is some confusion among freshmen and independents about what life in a sorority or fraternity involves. For the most part, they only see us at parties, or at dinner ... they see us as a big organization on campus, and they seem interested, but they often look for stereotypes like they see on T.V., at other schools, etc. Ideally, both IFC and ISC hope that Greek organizations are not seen as cliques, but as groups that provide opportunities to meet others who share common interests. ; A Greek organiza tion is not intended to take over a person is life. , A common fallacy is that when people join fraternities or sororities, they lose all friends outside the organization. One has very good friends within it, but also outside of it. A Greek organization is not intended to take over a person's life, but to add an alternative activity, a different way of life, that helps one grow as a person, Mets stressed. Fowler agrees that Greek life opens people up to more things, without closing their minds to the independent world that they left. I think that Greeks in general are more liberal. Members and non-members agree that fraternities and sororities are primarily social, but are not the only social groups on campus. One independent student said, I do attend Greek functions. However, I do not have the time or money to be a member of the Greek system. I find enough things to do outside of the Greek system. Members of the Greek system strive for the same goals and ideals of IFC and ISC. Presenting a positive image to non-Greeks is very ; ttI think we promote the image of a well- rounded student. ll h important, one student said. We are always in the spotlight . . . People often forget that we contribute to the community We do promote an image of both the social and scholarly aspects of school life. I think we promote the image of a 'well- rounded' student. Under the leadership of IFC and ISC, Greek organizations are taking on more responsibility in order to avoid problems with the administration or the police. Rush and pledging programs are constantly being re-worked so that they are the most beneficial and appealing to prospective members. Apparently, Greeks at VU have succeeded in presenting a positive and appealing image to non-Greeks. There has been an increase in Rush participation the past few years among upperclassmen as well as freshmen. After 1985 spring balloting, about sixty percent of all students at VU were involved in a Greek organization. Of course, the choice to join a Greek organization can only be made by the individual. Many students have proven that the life of an independent is just as fulfilling and educational as the life of a fraternity or sorority member, and members strive to be non-exclusive and liberal in their views. photos by Sherry LaMorticella - Tammy Smith Greek Lifeh19 A