Frats and sororities urge students to rush Greek
Movies like “Animal House” and “Legally Blonde” stereotype the Greeks with their outrageous drunken fraternity parties and rich, snobby, sorority girls.
This week, the Greek community is trying to fight those stereotypes and let students see the truth about fraternity and sorority life, said Colby Shocknmyer, a junior in business finance.
Patty Halaufia, a sorority adviser, agreed with Shocknmyer.
“[Greek life] is so still misunderstood,” Halaufia said.
“Some of that stuff you see is off the wall,” Halaufia said referring to MTV’s portrayal of Greek life.
She said people watch TV and “form these opinions of the Greeks without ever getting to know the people.”
During Greek Week, (Sept. 2 through 5) students can go on house tours, attend barbecues, ride a mechanical bull and get involved with the houses. Many members of the Greek system asked students to have an open mind as they attend Greek Week activities.
“Don’t listen to stereotypes; you’d be shocked at our rules and standards,” said Katie Coon, a sophomore majoring in criminal psychology and a member of Alpha Chi Omega.
There are five fraternities and four sororities involved with the Utah State University campus. Although they are separate entities, they work on similar issues and have the same concerns.
Two of the Greek houses are multicultural: Psi Sigma Phi, a fraternity, and Theta Nu Xi, a
sorority.
“It really entails us bringing multiculturalism to the community, and attempting to enlighten individuals that often have negative feelings towards minorities,” said Jamal Jabar, president of Psi Sigma Phi. “We are very interested in promoting multiculturalism.
“We like to think that we merely represent a multifaceted group to the community, hence, we recruit a myriad of individuals to join our fraternity,” Jabar said.
Students join fraternities and sororities for many different reasons.
“The fraternity really feels like home, and I really enjoy the tight-knit group we have,” said Colby Schocknmyer, who is a new member of the Delta Sigma Phi.
Delta Sigma Phi just remodeled the house on 837 N. 800 East, where they have relocated. Randy King, who just finished his graduate work, is the alumni treasurer for Delta Sigma Phi. He said the group has a lot of potential to grow as they move into this new house.
Jamie Blomquist, a liberal arts and science senior, is president of the Panhellenic society. “Pan” means all and “Hellenic” means Greek.
“If it were not for my friends in my sorority, I probably would not have stayed in school, but we work together and support each other,” Blomquist said.
Students also join for service and leadership opportunities.
Fraternities and sororities help out the university in many ways. Becky Mertlich, an undeclared sophomore and three-year member of Kappa Delta, said the Greek houses pull in more money for the school through service than any other organizations on campus.
Whenever ASUSU needs help, the Greek houses are the first they ask to do anything, from setting up chairs to passing out fliers, Mertlich said.
Sigma Nu, a fraternity located at 765 N. 800 East plays a big part in the Robins Awards on campus every year, Mertlich said.
“Joining a sorority is a great way to learn leadership skills and responsibility,” said Natalie Wood, a junior studying business information systems. “You gain experience needed for the skills you are going to need and you work closely with each other.”
Wood is the new member educator for the Chi Omega house.
The Greek houses host many activities throughout the year. Brandon Manikowski, a junior studying psychology and vice president of Phi Kappa Alpha, said they are starting a Parents’ Day to go along with Thanksgiving this year. He also said the group participates in a highway cleanup and Pike Week in October, which is a fundraiser for muscular dystrophy.
Wood said they have a Halloween Carnival on Oct. 31. Each child who comes to the Fieldhouse brings a can of food that is taken to the Utah Food Bank. Each organization on campus can set up a booth for the kids. This provides a safe way for children to trick-or-treat, Wood said.
-lindsaychild@cc.usu.edu
Freshman engineering major Jon Black fills out a form during the Greek recruitment orientation picnic held Tuesday evening. The picnic gave students interested in joining a fraternity or sorority the opportunity to learn more about Greek life, and meet current members of fraternities and sororities. (Photo by Ryan Talbot)