By Maggie Varner
Of the many ways to get involved on campus, Greek life has continued to be one of the most influential aspects at the University of Louisville. Greek life on this campus is not only growing in standards and involvement on campus, but also in numbers.
The Panhellenic Council is an organization that has representatives from each sorority. It coordinates activities between them. As of this fall, the Panhellenic Council has acquired enough credentials to begin the extension process to bring a new sorority to U of L. Currently, an extension committee is looking into possible sororities that would be compatible with the Greek life on campus. They hope to start this new sorority in the spring of 2010.
Another new development in Greek life is the possibility of moving Greek Week, an annual week of events that benefits Kosair Children’s Hospital, to the fall of each year, rather than the spring. This will help keep the spring semester from being too busy. This will also make it easier to hold outside events, because the weather is more reliable.
“I think it’s a really good idea; because the spring always seems so crazy hectic,” says junior marketing and international business major Ashley Fielder, the panhellenic delegate for Pi Beta Phi sorority.
Junior Panhellenic, the organization that all new sorority members are involved with, is also on the rise. With 52 new members, they held their first meeting, arranging their elections and organizing a new philanthropy event that they will be holding this fall.
Hazing Prevention Week will begin on Sept. 21. This is designed to help college students learn about hazing and how it affects people negatively. It helps officers in fraternities and sororities prevent situations that could make new members feel uncomfortable, taken advantage of or treated disrespectfully.
The Panhellenic Council is also sponsoring Take Back the Night, an event brought to U of L by PEACC (Prevention, Education and Advocacy on Campus and in the Community). This event inspires women to take back the night and to avoid abusive relationships. It is designed to help anyone on campus who is or has been a victim of domestic violence, sexual abuse or other forms of harassment. This event is on Sept. 29 at 5:30 p.m. in the Red Barn.
Members of the Greek community are participating in many events on and off campus. They host several walks and runs—such as Heart Walk, Adam’s Run and Memory Walk—to raise money and awareness for various causes.
“By joining Greek life, I have realized that there is always an opportunity to get involved with the community in events on and off of campus,” said senior marketing major John Pellman. “It is much easier to become aware of the vast amount of community service opportunities, and other personal developing events.”
