BIG-C throws big party on Zeta Day

The annual event introduces freshmen to BIG-C fraternities and sororities. It was a big day for the BIG-C. Music echoed through Superblock Saturday afternoon as minority students from throughout the Philadelphia area enjoyed the step shows and other festivities at the ninth annual Zeta Day block party. Zeta Phi Beta, an African-American sorority, sponsored the event, which was attended by all the fraternities and sororities in the BiCultural InterGreek Council. About 300 people attended, many of whom were from other schools. The party's success was the result of a "summer-long planning [process]," said Zeta President Andrea Charlton, a Nursing senior who has planned two other Zeta Days. "I think we're getting more exposure. A lot of people come to our events." Members of the BIG-C organizations spoke to the crowd about their different groups. In several chapters the members include students from various Philadelphia area universities besides Penn, such as Drexel, Temple and Villanova universities. Zeta Day is their biggest combined event of the year. "It's good for all the organizations to get together and share what they do," said Tylee Mclendon, a Zeta senior at West Chester University in Chester County, Pa. Zeta Day introduces freshmen to the BIG-C organizations for the first time and gives them a sense of the different groups, BIG-C leaders said. Freshmen who are considering pledging came out Saturday. "Our main focus is giving positive visibility to the BIG-C groups," said Larry Moses, the BIG-C program director for Penn's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. "We continue to be a vibrant part of the Penn community." Several fraternities and sororities entertained the crowd with step shows, to which the audience responded enthusiastically. "It's an attention getter and a show stopper," College freshman Kristal Hall said. "It's fun to watch, and it's something that everyone can appreciate." College junior Paul Elsberg said he came out to support a friend in one of the fraternities. "It's really amazing," Elsberg said. "It's something they're very serious about. It's important to represent their frat." Music was provided by DJ Dolla Bill. The International Flavor Cuisine Restaurant at 46th Street and Chester Avenue, which serves African, Jamaican and American food, catered the event for the second year. Although organizers said turnout was good, some people wished the event attracted people other than those in minority groups. "We love to see people of different cultures coming together," said Shine Evans, a Temple University senior and president of Swing Phi Swing, a city-wide social fellowship. "We wish that more people who weren't in the organizations would come out."

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