Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 11/26/07 Section: News

"It's a sign of Gamma love - the 'crossed fingers' is the sign for our brother fraternity (Gamma Phi Delta) and the 'L' is our sign," said Detroit senior and Alpha Lambda Omega member Ashley Turner. Turner and Benton Harbor senior Michelle Brooks get busy on the dance floor as a part of "Men of Valor and Women of Virtue" at the Woldt Clubhouse. [Click to enlarge]

Cultural and independent Greeks have never been big on CMU's campus, but they always have been strong.

It was that strength that drew Carlos Rubio to them during his freshman year in the spring of 2002.

"The NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council) was active and strong," the New Lothrop graduate student said. "(Cultural Greeks) got things done and I wanted to be a part of that."

But the problem is not how much they can get done - it's how many of them there are.

Assistant Director of Student Life and Greek Adviser Tom Idema said this year there are only six chapters on campus registered with Student Life. Independent Greek membership is lower this year than in years past, but there has not been a drastic decrease, he said.

Idema said because of their small numbers, independent Greeks, which usually refers to cultural and religious Greeks, often are in a state of flux.

"It's hard when you have groups with three or four members and then half of them graduate," Idema said. "There have been times when we look at the smallest IFC chapter and it'll have 20 members, and that'll be more than all the (cultural Greek) chapters combined."

Even though groups might not be registered with Student Life, it does not mean they are not active, Idema said. It just means the university does not recognize them, he said.

"There are any number of reasons why a group might not be registered," he said. "It might be their adviser, or they might not have a constitution in the system. That doesn't mean they aren't doing their own thing."

Continued...

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