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Changing with the times
Some things never change.
When fraternities and sororities
were first founded in the mid-19th
century, they provided a place for people
01 similar interests to live, make
friends, acquire good study habits and
learn the social graces.
Those aspects of Greek life haven't
changed, say residents 01 houses and
advisers.
What has changed, they say, is the emphasis
on some 01 the activities - hazing,
which is now banned, drinking and parties
- that have created the negative, and
they say. unfair stereotypes of the entire
Greek system.
Despite the changes. the system has its
critics. Alayne Hannaford, director 01 the
UI Women's Center, said that, "If time
and energy and the money that goes into
rush and alai 01 the social activities were
put toward something that would seem to
be more socially useful it would seem to
be a more thoughtful use of time and
energy."
But, said lody Witmer, president of
Alpha Chi Omega, that's already
happening.
"A lot of the houses are growing away
from the social activities and are working
more toward community service and
philanthropies." Her house's "altruisms"
include raising money for the Easter Seal
program, sponsoring a bowl-a-thon, and
collecting toys for children at Christmas.
She acknowledged there had been "a
lot of emphasis placed on drinking, but
I doubt that's true any more than in any
other living group. We sponsor an
alcohol awareness week every fall, so we
are working on it." In addition, she said,
"This year they will be enforcing the
drinking age limit" at campus functions.
Greg Cook, president of Kappa Sigma,
said community, campus and national
charity work are part of fraternity life.
The Kappa Sigmas sponsor a food. drive
at Christmas, and all year have their
names listed at Volunteers in Moscow.
"They give us a call when they need some
bodies," he said. "We're always willing
to help out."
Cook said he thinks haternity rivalries
have died down in the past few years, and
that the Greek living groups are working
together more.
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Greek Life