New Greek members learn ways of fraternities, sororities
The newest members of Central Michigan University Greek Life took a crash course in Greek 101 on Friday afternoon.
Started last spring, the mandatory conference introduces new members to the different aspects of Greek Life.
The students were split up into 16 groups led by facilitators, many who went through the program themselves.
“I went through this program last Spring, and I had fun and learned a lot from it, so I decided to become a facilitator this year,” said Plymouth junior and Delta Zeta member Laine Kostegian.
In their groups, students went over different rules, opportunities and vocabulary terms specific to the Greek community.
Delta Phi Epsilon member and DeWitt sophomore Anna Bernardi said she had fun at Greek 101 and liked meeting other new Greeks.
“It was nice to meet other people from different fraternities and sororities and getting to know them,” Bernardi said. “That was probably my favorite part.”
Though the new members represented were all from Interfraternity and Panhellenic organizations, students were shown a video educating them on CMU’s other Greek councils as well.
“We wanted to open their eyes to a different picture and begin to introduce them to all aspects of Greek Life,” said Clinton Township Student Life graduate assistant Elizabeth Doyle.
Speaker
Greek 101 coordinators brought in speaker Rick Barnes to talk to students about a variety topics ranging from recruitment to hazing.
“I thought the speaker was funny and interesting,” Bernardi said.
Barnes used comedy and facts to discuss the issues plaguing the Greek community.
He said one of the biggest problems in the Greek community is Greeks tend to blame the media for their image, when many create these images themselves.
“Greeks give the media and other outlets the ammunition they need to create these images of them,” Barnes said. “We need to stop giving them the ammo and if the reputation or stereotype is true we need to address the issue instead of ignore it.”
