Pledges take 'Greek Life 101'

While early morning classes always attract a few stragglers, more than 400 fraternity and sorority pledges made it to the "Greek Life 101" program Saturday -- by 10 a.m. The half-day event marked the first education forum for InterFraternity and Panhellenic Council pledges. Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Assistant Director Tom Carroll said the event "went fairly well." Pledge attendance at the assembly was not mandatory, although it was "heavily encouraged" by individual chapters, IFC President and College junior Matt Baker said. "The attendance has been wonderful and the level of participation has been high," said Kate Ward-Gaus, a health educator at the Office of Health Education -- who helps OFSA plan "Students Against Acquaintance Rapes" and "Drug and Alcohol Resource Team" workshops which are mandatory for pledges. Arlene Stevens -- whom Panhel President Jessica Lennon labeled "a big fan of the Greek system" -- began Saturday's events by relating her own experiences with the pledging system. After her son died in a hazing-related incident, Stevens founded "Chuck," a national organization dedicated to ending hazing. College freshman Max Abrahms, a Sigma Alpha Mu pledge, said Stevens' speech was a "really good" way to open the program. Students then broke into two groups to eat lunch and attend workshops focusing on time management and InterGreek relations. Mike Green, a recovering alcoholic who lectures at over 200 college campuses each year, concluded the day's events. "He's a very honest speaker," added Lennon, a Delta Delta Delta sister. Green said he could not deny that underage drinking occurs. Instead, he warned pledges to be responsible in their consumption. Baker said he felt the day was "fairly worthwhile." "There were a few kinks," he added. "Some of the stuff was a little boring." The Alpha Chi Rho brother said the InterGreek relations workshop -- which he, Lennon and BiCultural InterGreek Council President Jason Rosas facilitated -- may be cut from next year's program. He explained that pledges have thus far had limited experience with the Greek system. But if this workshop were moved to a later date, pledges would probably have more questions and concerns, Baker said. Carroll said Saturday's program "plays into [the IFC's] ten-point membership education program" which is part of the Greeks' 21st Century Report. "It was a very good start," Baker said of Saturday's program. The assembly also helped pledge educators coordinate events for the more than 700 students who have just entered the Greek system. Rather than having each chapter hold its own lecture, the program reached many students at once, Carroll said. "We were somewhat flexible," he added, explaining that many pledges lacked the time to attend workshops like Saturday's because of prior commitments. Throughout the month, Student Health Services will continue to provide STAAR and DART workshops for new Greeks, College senior and STAAR volunteer Juan Diaz said. Ward-Gaus said she thought educating new Greeks on issues confronting their lives -- such as sexual violence and drug and alcohol abuse -- was best presented in informal workshops. "Pledges need to talk and discuss it with one another," she added. Diaz said he was glad the education programs were a mandatory part of the Greeks' pledge period. "At least we're hitting that 30 percent of the Penn population," he said.