More Than Just a Party

As most of you probably know, I am a part of the greek system here at Purdue. I'm not one of those people who go on and on about it all day, so please try not to roll your eyes or scoff while reading this particular post. Most people think that the greek system is just an excuse to go out and party all the time while completely disregarding schoolwork, employment, or any other kind of responsibility. This is a complete myth. Although we do like to have a good time, we actually take on a lot of projects and responsibility.

An example of this would be philanthropy. Just last weekend my sorority had what we like to call "Fuzzie Football." It is a flag football tournament that we put on each year in which any or all fraternities can participate. It includes a week of events such as Boiler Market night (tell the people at Boiler Market which house you are from and a certain percent of what you spend goes to our cause), sheet sigh contests, serenades (dances or skits we make up and go perform at all the fraternities who participate) and, of course, the actual tournament itself. Each fraternity that wishes to play and participate in the events during the week must pay a predetermined amount of money that we donate to Lafayette Group Homes for Children. It is a good way to raise money for a good cause while still having fun.

Of course we are not the only ones on campus with philanthropic events. A good thing too, considering we are required to do at least 3 external (not put on by us) philanthropies a semester. Other things we have participated in in the past are an adult size tricycle race, mechanical bull riding contests, powder puff football, and a watermelon bust. A lot of time and dedication are put into each of these events, and it's really fun to get out there and see what others are doing. I hope this gives some of you a more positive view of the greek system, even if that slight change is that not all of us are partying slackers.