In the past week fraternities and sororities held activities dedicated to calling attention to the proudest and the strongest among them by competing in the University’s annual “Greek Week.” Groups of students wearing matching t-shirts with Greek symbols and large posters decorated with the same letters were present all over campus. However, aren’t these signs of Greek pride often prominently displayed throughout the University?
It can sometimes seem that other clubs fall in the shadows of fraternities and sororities. Though each club is responsible for advertising their campus involvement and recruiting new members, the attention of college students tends to gravitate more towards Greek life. However, that does not necessarily marginalize other clubs’ involvement on campus.
Club advertisements and fundraisers are constantly happening. There are numerous tables set up in and outside of the Rebecca Stafford Student Center raising money or awareness for different organizations every day. Involvement fairs also promote awareness of different clubs and spark a lot of student interest. For that reason, as well as others, it is necessary for clubs to have the same type of competition week as Greeks.
Fraternities and sororities have more in common with each other than clubs do. Having competitions between clubs would be more difficult because their objectives are more diverse. Clubs are drawn together by specific interests and do not seek to prove themselves against other clubs, whereas Greek Week is about striving to be the best fraternity or sorority.
It is the competition aspect of Greek Week that separates Greeks from other clubs. It is tradition of fraternities and sororities to partake in friendly competition to prove their strength and unity as well as to get their names out there. Most other clubs do not have such rivalries with one another, or do not voice them loud enough to stir much attention. Greek Week is not about competing with other student groups on campus, but having all of Greek life come together for a week.
One suggestion offered to balance the attention focused on Greek life and club involvement, other than having a separate club week, is to incorporate clubs into Greek Week. While this would create more attention for clubs, it would also be intruding on tradition, says one editor. Fraternities and sororities would not appreciate other groups imposing upon a week-long event that has been a Greek only tradition for years. How would other clubs like Greeks to take credit at their events and fundraisers?
One aspect of Greek life that students find most alluring is the party opportunities it offers. In order to capture as much attention as fraternities and sororities receive, clubs and other student organizations would have to match those opportunities. Students work hard and prove their dedication to a particular fraternity or sorority, and as a reward, they get to enjoy the social scene provided by parties and mixers. The volunteer work that Greek organizations do is not to be overlooked, but the stereotype of many Greek groups is constant partiers and students of a high social status. That, to many college students, is extremely appealing.
Despite all of the fraternities and sororities coming together during Greek Week, each member is loyal to one group. When Greek Week is over, each separate social organization will continue fundraising and promoting their particular group. If the University were to have a week for other clubs, students who belong to multiple organizations would have to decide in which one club their loyalties lie. It is not fair to make students choose between organizations.
Just because Greek Week is happening doesn’t mean that other clubs go into exile. They are still free to hold events on campus. For example, an art gallery might be having a show, other organizations may be going on trips or lecturers may be visiting to speak to students of a specific major. The University is constantly sponsoring events and meetings from multiple organizations in concurrence with each other.
Overall, the amount of attention received by both clubs and Greeks comes down to how active they are and how they promote themselves. Clubs and Greek organizations have equal opportunity to be recognized. The competitive factor of fraternities and sororities plus years of tradition is the reason for Greek Week on campus. Clubs are not excluded from campus involvement during this time and may promote themselves in the same ways as Greeks if they so wish. The diversity of different clubs and Greek organizations are not defined by a single week on campus, but by actively promoting in ways most relevant to each group.