Greek Week around the corner
In two weeks, new members in the Greek community will see what happens when all four councils unite for games, grub and a good cause. These new members will participate in their first Greek Week, an annual philanthropic event hosted by the Greek community and San Diego State.
Greek Week Executive Board co-chair Danielle Le said Greek Week is the biggest annual spring event for all four councils – Interfraternity, Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic and United Sorority and Fraternity.
Greek Week, which will be held April 4 through 10, consists of several events, including a carnival day, a talent show and Greek games. Each year, ticket sales and donation profits benefit a specific charity chosen by the Greek community.
This year’s proceeds will help Dream Street, a non-profit organization that provides summer-camp programs for children with chronic or life-threatening diseases. Last year, Greek Week organizers raised $20,000 for Camp Able, and the community hopes to raise $50,000 this year, Le said.
“It’s a hefty goal, but I think we can do it,” she said. “All of us are working hard to make it happen and the response has been overwhelming.”
Le said she hopes the non-Greek community will attend on-campus events such as the talent show.
Anna Nguyen, Greek Week Executive Board activities director, said the week is all about unity.
“We all come from different councils and only know who is in our council,” Nguyen said. “Greek Weeks bring everyone across campus together.”
Doug Case, coordinator for the Center of Fraternity and Sorority Life, said the week’s events get students excited for the finale of Greek Unity Night. On that night, councils present awards in categories such as Greek Man and Woman of the Year, President of the Year and New Member of the Year.
“It’s important to have that (night) to recognize outstanding individuals in the Greek community,” Case said.
Frat MANers program underway
Too much alcohol and aggression can escalate any party atmosphere into a scary situation. Under the guidance of health educators from Student Health Services, Greek men are teaching each other how to prevent rape and assault. Fraternity Men Against Negative Environments and Rape Situations is one of many Peer Health Education programs offered on campus.
Valerie Winstrom, a health educator and Frat MANers coordinator, said the program is another kind of brotherhood. During the first semester of the yearlong program, members attend a three-unit class once a week. Law enforcement and other guest speakers educate students about their role in rape prevention.
“These men might have different perceptions of what sexual abuse is,” Winstrom said. “By defining the problem, these men will have the tools to overcome it.”
In their second semester, the students become the educators and make presentations throughout the SDSU community.
Brothers in the program usually encourage others to join, Winstrom said. The program is geared toward fraternity men, but SHS is looking to create a similar program for non-Greeks, she said. Frat MANers is still accepting ongoing applications for Fall 2006.
