Zeta Phi Beta welcomes students

The best seats in the house belonged to students peering out of windows in High Rise East. They had a bird's-eye view of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority's sixth annual "Zeta Day" celebration Saturday afternoon in Superblock. Below, the crowd of approximately 200 formed a semicircle around those performing. Some people sat on the ground or the benches while others stood. But most people had the same goal in mind -- to get a good view. Zeta Phi Beta President Sheree Thompson, a College senior, said the purpose of the day was to welcome freshmen to the University as well as to introduce them to the black Greek and social organizations on campus. The festivities included food, music, and stepping performances by Zeta Phi Beta, Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, Omega Psi Phi and Swing Phi Swing. The two Latino organizations, the Sigma Lambda Upsilon sorority and the Lambda Upsilon Lambda fraternity were also present but did not participate in the stepping performances. Stepping is a communicative dance involving rhythmic clapping and stomping. It originates from the gumboot dance in Africa and is a part of African American culture. "Stepping is the ultimate expression of the emotion you feel for your organization," said Alpha Phi Alpha President Moses Hart, a Drexel senior. "It unites everyone in the organization by tying us to each other and to our culture." Many students agreed that the stepping was entertaining. "This is a nice way to get to meet upperclassmen and people involved in the sororities and fraternities," said College freshman Christine Pierre. College sophomore Elizabeth Keppler was walking by when the music and the crowds caught her attention. "This was my first time seeing stepping," she said. "It was very interesting and it was great to see so many people watching." College junior Aman Abye stopped by to see old friends and make new ones. "This atmosphere is very relaxing," Abye said as he chatted with a group of people at the close of Zeta Day. Wharton sophomore Larrin Robertson said he was impressed by the organization of the event. "It was definitely entertaining but I am disappointed that all of the fraternities did not perform," he added. In past years, students have registered complaints about the noise level of the celebration. "It is very important to us that we follow the rules and we have always made sure that our noise level is below the required 85 decibels in the University handbook," Thompson said. During Zeta Phi Beta's 75th anniversary celebration last spring, sorority members were assaulted by students hurling objects from HRE. There was a visible police presence Saturday to discourage any similar activities during this festivity.