Greek Zone Web site links Green community

Over a year ago, 1988 College and Wharton graduate Mark Hirsh waited for someone in his brother's Philadelphia computer graphics store to create a Greek World Wide Web site on the increasingly popular Internet. But the self-taught computer programmer -- who learned the trade after playing a game he thought he could produce better himself -- used his own computer skills to establish the Web site after he saw that no one else would. An alumnus of Tau Epsilon Phi, Hirsh combined his desire to re-enter the computer industry with memories from his fraternity experience. The result debuted March 1 as the Greek Zone, a Web site that provides a communication and informational resource to individuals interested in any of the thousands of Greek chapters on college campuses. Located at http://www.greekzone.com, the Greek Zone features articles on significant people associated with Greek life across the country and chat rooms for both non-Greek students and fraternity brothers. It also maintains links to other Greek organizations on the Internet and a marketplace that advertises events and products from schools and people across the nation. Hirsh said that the site is "uniquely comprehensive" in that it includes information on every recognized Greek chapter in in the United States. The site does not exist entirely for members of Greek life, but instead endeavors to link students from both schools that maintain Greek communities and those that do not. "The calendar of events shows what's going on across the country and you can look and see that maybe it is worth that road trip to Spring Fling or somewhere else," he added. "You can be hanging out in a [chat] room with someone from Nevada and another from Kansas." Hirsh noted that he envisions the site as a resource for the Greek community, adding that he hopes fraternity and sorority members from across the country will correspond with each other through the Web site to solve problematic questions such as how to deal with "dry rushing and what it means to be a Greek." The former proprietor of a Greek clothing establishment at 36th Street and Lancaster Avenue, Hirsh followed his own tradition of mixing Greek life and business interests with the creation of the Web site. He also drew upon the fondness with which he holds his own Greek experience during his years at the University. "The friendships are absolutely the best part of the Greek experience -- it's a feeling of being part of something and having a home to come back to on campus," explained Hirsh. "It's the leadership skills, communication and the attempts to make things around you better that gives you something to walk away with from Greek life," he added. The site -- which has had nearly 8,000 visitors since its opening -- portrays a positive side of Greek life that often gets lost amidst the stories of drunken parties and carousing, according to the site's creator.