Freshmen 'Meet the Greeks' on the Walk

Fraternities and sororities brought out their banners, paddles and composite photos as they held their annual "Meet the Greeks" event on Locust Walk Tuesday afternoon. Each of the chapters in the InterFraternity Council, Panhellenic Council and Bicultural InterGreek Council set up tables to meet prospective rushees. "It's a visibility thing," Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Acting Director Scott Reikofski said. "They get to show what they are about." Chapters provided information about their organizations to prospective rushees. "It seemed like alphabet soup," Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity Vice President Paul Diller, an Engineering senior, said, reflecting on his own experience as a freshman. "You had no idea which house was which." He said that the IFC's move to spring rush will allow prospectives to make better decisions about the Greek system. Tau Epsilon Phi Rush Chairperson Chris Melling said that because of the wait, many chapters and prospectives will have time to pick each other. "By the time formal rush comes around, it may just be a formality," the College sophomore said. As a result, he said it is important for chapters to make an effort to meet prospectives early in the year at events like "Meet the Greeks." But Pi Lambda Phi fraternity Treasurer Guilherme Roschke, a College junior, said his chapter does not place much emphasis on events like this to find new members. Others felt the system's emphasis on Greek Week and its activities paint a deceptive picture of the chapters within it. "It should not be looked at as the only time we get out," said Sig Ep brother Hunter Powell, a College sophomore. "The Greeks are a year-round establishment." In addition to the chapter tables, OFSA set up a table where prospectives could sign up for rush next semester. The group of students interested in bringing the Theta Xi fraternity back to campus also set up a table. The event is usually a part of Greek Week, which was held last week, but was postponed from last Thursday due to rainy weather.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.