Next week will mark the beginning of Greek Week. The idea behind this program is for all sororities and fraternities to come together and give back to the UR community and the greater Rochester area. The ability of the Greek community to form a comprehensive week of service and philanthropy is largely due to the efforts of the executive boards for the Fraternity President’s Council, the Multicultural Greek Council and the Pan-Hellenic Association to create the United Greek Council. Events will take place from Friday, Nov. 12 to Saturday, Nov. 20. We invite anyone and everyone to get involved with the terrific programming that will take place during the course of the week.
Sigma Delta Tau’s “Mr. U of R” will kick off Greek Week. This annual event is a male beauty pageant with a variety of categories being judged including eveningwear, swimwear, talent and a question and answer session. This philanthropic event is to take place on Nov. 12 in Hubble Auditorium at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, Nov. 13, Delta Kappa Epsilon and Phi Sigma Sigma will be co-sponsoring “Rock-a-thon.” Starting at 9:30 p.m. at the DKE house on the fraternity quad, there will be live music and a late night disc jockey. Every year, ISS raises money in this social and philanthropic event for the National Kidney Foundation, the chapter’s national philanthropy.
Delta Gamma’s 17th annual “Anchor Splash” will take place on Sunday, Nov. 14 from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. at the Steegle-Wilbraham Aquatic Center – the pool – in the Goergen Athletic Center. The sorority’s national philanthropic event involves competitions between teams in fun pool games and relay races. Each year, the proceeds from “Anchor Splash” are split between DG’s National Foundation, Service for Sight, and a local charity of the chapter’s choice.
Alpha Delta Phi will be hosting a “Literary Discussion” in the Welles-Brown Room on Monday, Nov. 15 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This event entails readings of poems, short stories, selections from novels or anything that establishes an interesting idea for group discussion. After each piece is read, discussion follows. Formal dress is required. Men should wear a shirt and tie and women should dress nicely. Refreshments will be served.
The United Greek Council will be sponsoring a weeklong charity that will begin on Monday, Nov. 15. In the “Everything Drive,” students can donate non-perishable food, new or lightly used toys and clothing or just spare change or “flex” to local Rochester charities. This is a great way to give back to the Rochester community and it is just in time for the Holiday Season. UGC will also be sponsoring a “Golden Ticket Raffle.” The UR Parking and Transportation Office has agreed to give away a free parking space in any student lot on campus. Raffle tickets are $5, cash or flex, and you may buy unlimited tickets. All proceeds will go to the Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong.
On Tuesday, Nov. 16, there will be a “Fraternity and Sorority Fair” in Hirst Lounge at 7 p.m. If you’ve ever wondered what fraternities and sororities do at UR or if you’re thinking about “going Greek” but have questions, then this is the event for you. Come find out all you need to know about the fraternities and sororities on campus. There will be members of all of the chapters represented by FPC, MGC and Panhel. Refreshments will be served.
Also on Tuesday, Kappa Delta and Sigma Alpha Mu are co-sponsoring an anti-smoking panel being organized by the Anti-Tobacco Group in the Peer Health Advocacy Class. The event will take place at 8:30 p.m. in the Gowen Room. The panel will include four speakers that will “Reveal the Myths of College Tobacco Use,” focusing on short term and long term effects of tobacco, gender specific tobacco risks and other risks that are commonly overlooked.
Sigma Chi and SAM will be co-sponsoring an extremely important event on Wednesday, Nov. 17. Dave Westol, Executive Director of Theta Chi Fraternity, will be on campus at Hubbell Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. giving his “Hazing on Trial” presentation. This is an intense portrayal of the conflicts that occur when a student joins a fraternity that has hazing practices and becomes the “little brother” of the chapter president. During the time just before initiation, the pledge questions the hazing practices and confronts his big brother. Through his line of questioning, the practice and philosophy of hazing are attacked.
On Thursday, Nov. 18, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and SALSA are presenting “Redefining the Lines: Part II” in Morey 321 at 8 p.m. The purpose of this event is to explore the similarities and differences between Black Americans and Latino Americans. By creating a clear-cut awareness only then will we be able together to overcome obstacles thrown in our paths. This event will act as a foundation upon which the pillars of positive change will be built in the future.
The Student’s Association, Wilson Commons Student Activities and the United Greek Council are proud to sponsor “Club Rochester.” On Friday, Nov. 19, unwind at the end of the week in the Meliora Salon D from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. and socialize with the UR community. All are welcome and guest bartenders will serve discounted beverages and free munchies. Afterwards, meet us at the Palestra to cheer on your Yellowjackets Basketball Team!
Greek Week will wind down on Saturday, Nov. 20 with “Alpha-Traz.” This event is being co-sponsored by Alpha Phi, ADI and Alpha Phi Omega and will take place from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. at the Drama House. Alpha-Traz is AI’s annual philanthropy to raise money for the Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong and Cardiac Care. The main event is an alcohol-free party with live music and food. What makes this event so special is the list of “celebrity prisoners.” Two weeks prior to the event, tickets and fun cups will be available for purchase in Wilson Commons. Each time a cup and a ticket are purchased, the customer has the option of placing his or her money under the names of one of the people on the “celebrity prisoner” list. The person who raises the most money under his or her name spends the most time in handcuffs at the party.
