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

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e? Se ZOZGreek, Week . as fraternitl unite in frie'rr The spirit of Competition, escorted by the agony of defeat, ravaged VU Greeks Oct. 2-5. Greeks united during this four-day span for fierce and gruel- ing events similar to the original Greek games in Athens. The games opened with the intense Toga Race. Sheet-ciad Greeks sprinted through campus, striving to be the fas- test. The men of Phi Kappa Psi scurried past their opponents to victory. Soon after, the women of Alpha Xi Epsilon, in rainbow and Garfield-speckled sheets, triumphed over their competitors. The beverage chug served as the next event. Fraternity men lined up, anticipating the familiar coolness of the beverage. The event ended quickly with the well-practiced men of Phi Delta Theta emerging victorious. The day continued as sororities and fraternities exhibited their strength in the ug-ofewar. Right: Jennifer K. Johnspn eprints down Mound St. in 0 bring glory to the Kap as the tug-of-war. After invigoratii heats, Zetas and Phi Delts puHed on victory. The first day of events ended wi the clue of the hidden keg . . . the m stery continued throughout the wee Thursday opened a new day of e citement. The events continued wi women's volleyball. All eight sororiti spiked and served in hopes of beii the victors. Defending Greek Wei champions Alpha Xis quickly ups their rivais. The Xis, however, were easily defea ed in the next event. Arm wrestling w controlled by three women represen ing Alpha Phi Delta, Kappa Tau Ze and Phi Omega. In intense one-on-or competition, Phi O's Merit.Ericksc wrestled down Alpha Iuiie Johnson ar Zeta Lisa Sharp to win. Men's basketball drew Thursday

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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

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, close as the men turned their attention from dribbling in the beverage chug to dribbling on the bas- ketbail court. Great offensive and de- fensive strategies by the men of Lamb- da Chi Alpha resulted in their victory over the other fraternities. The competition grew fiercer on Fri- day. Calling for agility and keen reflexes were the Keg Toss and the Grocery Cart Race. Another clue continued the mystery of the hidden keg. The keg toss participants were frater- nity men who sought to prove their eggthbytossing an empty keg across he fiei' Due'to a clash with Mother Nature, 5 the Grocery Cart Race took place on Saturday. The women of Phi Beta Chi showed their keen shopping sense by L eating Phi 05 and Kappas. The Phi Os, not to be outdone, found the hidden keg- , The events ed eariy Saturday morning with the three-mile Greek Run. Alpha Xis and Phi Psis finished first in participation. Cathy Counsell and Janine Opel, representing Alpha Xis, were first and second place finishers. Bryan Thomas, an independent, won the men's first place title, followed by a . member of Lambda Chi Alpha. The exciting week of events ended with the victors. Phi Omega won first in the sanctity diu'xs'xesxxetkewee by mm Xis. The fraternity division was won by Phi Psis with Lambda Chis finishing sec- and. The Greek Games ended Oct. 5 with champagne breakfasts and parties. The early Greeks would, definateiy be envi- ous of Vaipo's Greek Games. -- Tammy Boock aturday morning