Greek Week ends with big carnival

Greek Week, the annual series of events sponsored by the University's Greek organizations, was plagued with difficulties this year -- police canceled the all-Greek mixer at the 11th hour and rain forced organizers to move indoors a screening of Good Will Hunting, hurting attendance. But most Greeks agreed that the carnival for students and local children held in Superblock on Saturday afternoon ended the week on a positive note. "It was a long week, but it was fun -- well worth it," said Greek Week Committee Co-chairperson Liz Bernard, a College senior. "I'm glad that we did it." All eight Panhellenic Council sororities, and about 200 people total, took part in the carnival, which they touted as a community-service event. Each sorority had tables with different activities for the children, such as beanbag tossing and face painting. "I'm having a lot of fun; I've never made cotton candy before," said Panhel President Janelle Brodsky, a College and Engineering senior. She added that "everyone's stopping by -- it's not a Greek thing at all." Greek Week 1998 was funded in part by the Undergraduate Assembly, which allocated $10,000 for several of the events. The funding is part of the $30,000 fund set aside earlier this year for non-alcoholic Greek programs. The UA funding paid for the carnival equipment, catering by Cavanaugh's restaurant, a performance by the a cappella group Off the Beat and a live disc jockey. The UA also paid for the movie screening on Friday and the advertising throughout the week. The Greek Week committee arranged to have 60 children bused in from Wordsworth Academy in nearby Fort Washington, Pa., for the carnival, and they all enjoyed eating cotton candy and playing on the moon bounces. Larry Moses, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs' program director for the BiCultural InterGreek Council, said he was very pleased with the turnout on Saturday but added that he hopes the numbers will be higher next year. "We wish we could have more kids," Moses said. He then said that "maybe next year we'll have some rides, get some corporate sponsors." InterFraternity Council President Josh Belinfante said he was just happy that "the kids are having fun." He also explained that the week was a mixed success. "I think it had the potential to be the best Greek Week ever," the College senior said. "But between the weather and certain officials, they robbed us of that potential. But the barbecue was more successful than years past." The all-Greek mixer, scheduled for last Thursday night in Moravian Court, was canceled Wednesday by the Division of Public Safety because of miscommunication surrounding the event's nature. The police said they were not told that the event would be held late at night and would have alcohol present until it was too late. It is still unclear exactly who was responsible for the miscommunication.