Correction (March 24 12:33 a.m.): Due to a reporting error, an earlier version of this story incorrectly named the Mr. and Miss Greek Competition. The story has been changed to reflect the correction. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the error.
Though it is cherished by several Southern universities, UNC has not recently had the strong student support to hold its own Greek Week until this year.
The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life made a concerted effort to organize a full-scale Greek Week this year. It will be similar to those treasured by students at other universities, which use the event to promote a positive image of Greek life and encourage unity among members.
This year’s week of events and competition will feature nine teams participating in events ranging from a kickball tournament to a Mr. and Mrs. Greek Competition with the goal of winning an undisclosed prize and having their name emblazoned on a plaque.
All four Greek councils — the Greek Alliance Council, Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Panhellenic Council — will have representatives on each of the teams.
Alexis Kollay, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life’s adviser to Greek Week, said student interest motivated the resurrection of the event. Kollay added that she was unsure of when UNC previously organized a Greek Week.
Organizers of Greek Week 2010 said they hope the event will become a long-standing tradition at UNC.
“Officially, this is an event put on by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, but we are hoping that it will grow and become its own organization on campus in years to come,” said Lindsey Metzger, co-director of Greek Week steering committee, in an e-mail.
Kevin Minogue, a member of the public relations committee for Greek Week and a Daily Tar Heel staff member, said there has been strong support for the event so far.
“Close to 600 Greek Week T-shirts were ordered by the various chapters, and we are already planning a substantial second order for those chapters who were unable to get their order in the first time,” Minogue said in an e-mail.
“Our Ben & Jerry’s scoop nights also garnered a lot of participation from Greeks as well. We expect the actual events during this week to be even more popular.”
Metzger said the event’s planning only began at the end of last semester, causing various obstacles including time constraints and low availability for venues.
But Emerson Allen, a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity who has not been involved in planning Greek Week but plans to participate, said generating interest within the Greek community has not been one of those struggles.
“With this being a first year event and all, we’re really excited to see how it pans out,” Allen said. “Judging from the way Greek Week has been talked about in our chapter meetings, I could see it becoming a real big thing at UNC.”
While Greek Week hinges on participation from fraternity and sorority members, all UNC students are encouraged to participate.
“The events are open to anyone and everyone, and we hope to have as much participation as possible from students, Greek or otherwise,” Minogue said in an e-mail.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
