Greek Week should drop competitive aspect
Campus Times
December 6, 1996
by Melissa A. Collett
Photography Editor
Throughout the week, you may have seen decorated boxes near the Student
Center desk bearing Greek letters and filled with canned foods. This, among
other things, was part of Charity Greek Week, a week where Greek organizations
can give something to the community just in time for the holidays.
Most of you probably know Greek Week from the spring activities where
the sororities and fraternities compete against each other. Many have seen
the annual lip sync, obstacle course and tug of war. Charity Greek Week
is a little different.
Charity Greek Week is a way to unite all fraternities and sororities
to do something good for a common cause. It is still fun. However Charity
Greek Week should unify, rather than separate. It should wipe away the competition
between organizations. Or maybe not.
Greek Week chairs, junior Amy Gagnon and senior Rob Cervantez, have
done a lot to make sure the week will be a success. They organized all of
the week's activities, including a canned food drive, a clothes drive and
a toy drive. There is also encouragement to join the Big Sister or Big Brother
programs through the LeRoy Haynes Center and the David and Margaret Home
for girls. Applications were available at the Student Center desk.
These are all great things for the community and the individuals who
choose to participate, but I cannot understand why points need to be given
in a competitive manner.
One point is given to each organization for each small can of food put
in their box, and two points for large cans. Points are given for the toy
drive, clothing drive and also for signing up to be a Big Sister/Brother.
I am not trying to put down the program or the idea. Two years ago marked
the first Charity Greek Week on this campus. During that week, two organizations
were paired up to be in charge of different activities for different days.
It involved working together, yet prizes were not handed out. Charity is
for giving, not for points, competition or prizes.
The prize is supposed to be for incentive, but why should these organizations
need incentive? Each has their own philanthropy, and most have more than
one that they give to willingly whether it is through donation or volunteer
service.
Instead of separate boxes for canned food, there should be one big box.
Why was it not publicized to encourage non-Greeks to pick up applications
to be a Big Sister/Brother, or asking to donate cans, toys or clothes?
Greeks and other organizations on campus should be recognized for their
community service. Most people never know exactly how much Greeks contribute
outside of this campus.
Of the fraternities, Delta Sigma Phi contributes to the
March of Dimes and a local quilting association; Sigma Alpha Epsilon's
local philanthropy is the LeRoy Haynes Center for boys; and Phi
Delta Theta is responsible for cleaning a section of the 210 Freeway
and ALS
research. For sororities, Sigma Kappa supports the research and prevention
of Alzheimer's
disease by participating in a walk-a-thon and has its annual Charity
Ball; Phi Sigma Sigma supports the National
Kidney Foundation; and Iota Delta has the Cystic
Fibrosis Foundation and the annual Clothesline
project.
Great publicity is what the Greeks need. I encourage more unity within
the Greek system. I support Charity Greek Week, but if there is a prize
to be given, it should be given to everyone who participates. I also encourage
the rest of campus to get involved. Things like this are not just for Greeks.
Drop something into a box in the Student Center. It does not matter which
one, it all goes to the same place.
Melissa A. Collett, a junior journalism major, is photography editor
of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at collettm@ulvacs.ulaverne.edu.