Pitt greeks meet and greet in Union

‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt has rushed back to the times of the ancients, with an event last night introducing… ‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt has rushed back to the times of the ancients, with an event last night introducing independent students to the philosophies of greek week rush. ‘ ‘ ‘ The greek organizations on campus were out last night for an event in the William Pitt Union called Meet the Greeks. Representatives were present from the 37 fraternities and sororities of the Interfraternity Council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Pan-Hellenic Council. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘We want to introduce the new students to greek life here at Pitt,’ said Steve Laboon, president of the IFC. Megan Geary, president of the Pan-Hellenic Council, said that the event is a way for interested students to ‘see what we’re all about’ and ‘get a taste of each house’ that is represented. ‘ ‘ ‘ The presidents of the three greek governing bodies and representatives from the Office of Cross Cultural Leadership and Development welcomed all the students in the Assembly Room. Afterward, they split into three different rooms, one for each of the greek governing bodies. ‘ ‘ ‘ NPHC, comprised of traditionally but not exclusively black fraternities and sororities, moved into the Lower Lounge after the welcome address for a town-hall style information session. It also made use of tables set up around the room where representatives of each fraternity and sorority in the council displayed their colors with articles that represent their unique personalities and styles. ‘ ‘ ‘ The Pan-Hellenic Council, made up of 12 sororities, began with a question-and-answer session in the Assembly Room. Students on their way into the event put questions in a bag. The questions about recruitment and greek life in general were pulled randomly and answered by the executive members representing the Pan-Hellenic Council. ‘ ‘ ‘ After having a variety of their questions answered, like ‘What happens after ‘Meet the Greeks’?’ the girls present were told that they could mingle with members of the 12 houses represented at tables around the room, similar to the setup of the NPHC fraternities and sororities. ‘ ‘ ‘ IFC, the council of 16 fraternities, restructured its recruitment this year, implementing a period of formal rush. Its session at ‘Meet the Greeks’ was set up as three roundtable discussions. Approximately 12 students sat in a circle and talked informally with two or three members of the IFC and asked them questions about their experiences.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Laboon, who also headed one of the discussions, asked who had seen the TV show ‘Greek.’ About 10 of the 12 men he was talking to raised their hands. ‘ ‘ ‘ He then proceeded to tell them that that was a poor representation of greek life. Instead he related his Greek experience to the movie ‘Revenge of the Nerds,’ saying that his brothers are there to support him, and they are willing to do a lot for each other. ‘ ‘ ‘ Laboon also addressed the issue of hazing. He said, ‘If a person is willing to get hazed, we don’t want them in our organization.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ He said that the members of IFC believe that you have to give respect to get it, and hazing is not only looked down upon, it’s prohibited. ‘ ‘ ‘ IFC will continue its formal rush with four nights of fraternity showcasing in Nordy’s Place next week. ‘ ‘ ‘ Four different fraternities will be present each night to answer questions and meet independent men who are interested in going through the recruitment process. ‘ ‘ ‘ Students leaving the event at the end of the evening were busy looking through their pamphlets and flyers. Liz Morse, a sophomore transfer student who lives off campus, said she came as a way to meet new people. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘I liked how people were there ready to talk to you, but it was a little intimidating,’ she said. Morse plans to go through at least the beginning of the Pan-Hellenic’s recruitment in order to ‘get a better feel for it.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Andrew Thompson, a junior, said his roundtable session with members of IFC was ‘very informative but not intimidating at all.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ About 300 students attended the event.’ It was publicized as part of the Outside the Classroom Curriculum implemented this year by the Division of Student Affairs and included in the Freshman Studies Program.