Greek Week

Greek Week was held last week from Sunday, April 19 to Saturday, April 24. This year was the first year that many of the smaller organizations participated and it was a big success.

“It was the first year we had a sense of shared purpose. We networked and made connections, and in turn everyone did a great job,” said senior law and justice major Tim Kravitz, vice president of Sigma Pi and president of the Inter–Greek Council.

The IGC is made up of 22 national fraternities and sororities at Rowan. Under the IGC umbrella are the Inter Fraternity Council, National Panhellenic Conference, National Pan-Hellenic Counci and Greek Cultural Organizations Council with each serving as the council for different sororities and fraternities.

The IFC is home to Alpha Chi Ro, Alpha Phi Omega, Phi Kappa Psi, Sigma Pi and Tau Kappa Epsilon. The NPC houses are Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delta Phi Epsilon, Sigma Sigma Sigma and Theta Phi Alpha. The NPHC is home to Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Iota Phi Theta, Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta. The GCOC houses are Chi Upsilon Sigma, Lamda Theta Alpha, Mu Sigma Upsilon and Lamda Theta Phi.

This year, five teams containing different organizations took part in Greek Week. The teams were split into Sigma Pi, Theta Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta; Sigma Sigma Sigma, PIKE, Lamda Theta Alpha and Lamda Theta Phi; TKE and DPhiE; Alpha Sigma Alpha and Phi Kappa Psi; Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Chi Rho, Kappa Alpha Psi, and Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Each team was themed as well. The team of Sigma Pi, Theta Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, and Zeta Phi Beta chose the ’90s, Sigma Sigma Sigma, PIKE, Lamda Theta Alpha, and Lamda Theta Phi represented the Jersey Shore, and TKE and DPhiE opted for the Wizard of Oz. Alpha Epsilon Phi, AXP, Kappa Alpha Psi, and Alpha Kappa Alpha embodied “Bring it On.” Alpha Sigma Alpha and Phi Kappa Psi chose old time gansters as their theme.

“It was a lot of fun because there was something to do every day,” said junior public relations major and Sigma Sigma Sigma member Megan Gallis.

Sunday kicked off the start of Greek Week with a barbeque. Penny wars began on Monday and were held through Thursday. The event raised $1,245, the most to date.

“This is event is for philanthropy. The money was split between participating Greek organizations in order to fund the programs we do each year,” Kravitz said.

Penny wars are a literal battle between the organizations. Each team has a bucket and is allotted a certain amount of points for each coin. Dollar bills receive point deductions and dollar coins receive the highest amount of points. Teams try to sabotage each other by putting in twenties, but it’s all in friendly competition for charity.

The banner contest was held on Monday as well. Each team was given the same size piece of paper and challenged to make the best banner incorporating their theme. Tuesday night was trivia night.

Glassboro Clean Up day, organized by 2010-11 IGC President Brandon Zoltouski, was held Wednesday and with a large attendance.

“This was the event that changed the dance for Greek life in the community. The Greeks were able to change their image in the eyes of the community so much so that they asked us to come back next year. Glassboro Clean Up day will be bigger next year,” Kravitz said.

On Thursday, a swimming challenge was held. “We had a few different types of swim races. We took first place in three out of four of the races along with Theta Phi Alpha, Zeta Phi Beta, and Phi Beta Sigma,” said Sigma Pi member and senior business major Mitchell Friedberg.

Friday was field day, held at the intramural field. “This is the event that gives the bragging rights,” Kravitz said. Greek field day included events like wheel barrow races, tug of war, an egg toss and dizzy bat.

In the end, the Greek week contest winner was decided following a lip syncing contest held on Saturday. Three teams went into the contest very close in standings. Sigma Sigma Sigma, PIKE, Lamda Theta Alpha, and Lamda Theta Phi were in first place; Sigma Pi, Theta Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, and Zeta Phi Beta were in second; and TKE and DPhiE were in third place. Only 3 to 4 points separated the teams.

“I’m a big lipsync fan,” said senior communications major and Theta Phi Alpha member Katie Binder, “I love greek week, because we get to hang out with the Sigma Pi for a week straight.”

When the contest finished, TKE and DPhiE were declared the overall Greek Week champions. Sigma Pi, Theta Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, and Zeta Phi Beta came in second, and Sigma Sigma Sigma, PIKE, Lamda Theta Alpha, and Lamda Theta Phi came in third.

The Greeks have the Greek Gala coming up where new members get to meet those in other organizations, and outstanding members of Greek life are acknowledged. The Greek newsletter is also set to come out the end of this semester.