The Michigan Daily-Thursday, September 4, 1980-Page 3=D Greek life at University enjoys subtle resurgence By BONNIE JURAN Among the housing alternatives that beckon new college students each year are fraternities and sororites. On this campus, the 49 "Greek" houses will soon open their doors to prospective members. Over the year's, fraternities and sororities at the University have en- dured topsy-turvy, almost cyclical levels of popularity-their acceptance by the overall student body seems to change with the times. Currently, these groups are enjoying a period of modest prosperity, after an era (ap- proximately 1965-'75) when joining them was generally frowned upon by many as overly "conformist." Most groups today boast full houses, and the attention now seems focused on the positive aspects of Greek life, such as fundraisers, intramural sports com- petition and all campus parties and dances. FOR THE STUDENT, fraternities and sororities can provide both a welcome diversion from the rigors of academic life, and a reasonably priced housing alternative (membership fees, and room and board costs vary with each house, but they are comparable to dormitory rates). Unlike dorms and apartment houses, fraternities offer to men, and sororities to women, a close- knit, tightly structured fellowship. On- ce you have joined a house, you will live and work closely with other members, and will help put together the shape your group will take in the future. The Greek system also features un- conventional fraternities and sororities, which are oriented towards specific groups, such as blacks and Jews. In addition, there is one Greek house, Theta Xi, open to both male and female members. MEMBERSHIP IN a fraternity or sorority begins with a process known as "Rush." Rush will begin in late Sep- tember, a period which is annually marked by colorful banners in the Diag calling attention to the individual houses. At this time students visit dif- ferent houses to become acquainted with the members and observe the characteristics of each chapter. Chap- ter members decide which students they would like as members of their organization. If a student decides to accept an in- vitation to join a fraternity or sorority, he or she next undergoes a period of orientation called pledgeship. Pledge classes learn about the policies and traditions of their individual chapter and plan pledge projects as they prepare to become full members of the chapter. According to Liz Steinbaum, a member of Sigma Delta Tau, "this is the time that you get used to the house and they get used to you." Following pledgeship, members are formally initiated as full members of the chap- ter. Mark Westerberg, a member of Sigma Chi, said he joined a fraternity because he was looking for a place that was "more social" than a dormitory. He said a fraternity encourages a "more cohesive bond" among its mem- bers than does a dormitory and "people have more in common. I kind of like the spirit of it also," Westerberg added. STEINBAUM SAID she joined a sorority because she wanted to be associated with a small, personal organization, amidst a "university that is so big you kind of lose your identity." Steinbaum said she was able to meet a See GREEK, Page 6 Daily Photo by JIM KRUZ Toga parties, a Greek tradition since the release of "Animal House," are among the popular activities for fraternity men and sorority women. The Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority is pictured above. Co-ops o er social, ?financial advan tages Z__.-- G C L18 i ; E U E B . - MICH IGN MEN'S GLEE CLUB By MAURA CARRY If you are one of those unfortunate transfer students without a place to live in the fall, or are a freshperson who cannot endure the cramped quarters and unpredictable cuisine found in most &dormitories, then a co-op may be just the type of housing you have been looking for. The 22 co-ops spread around campus are among the cheapest housing available to students. University housing rates for room and board will run as high as $308 a month for a single room, and $260 a month for a double. This fall, the average rate for room and board at a co-op will be $185 per month. CO-OPS ARE BASED on the idea that occupants contribute 4-5 hours of work per week to the house; this way, money is -saved. Jobs include cooking meals, cleaning, maintenance, and house government psitioiis. The work'is not difficult to fit into the schedules of most students, but some jobs are preferred over others, said Nakamura Co-op President Mary Ann Wesselman, "Cooking is popular, once one learns the ropes." "I was scared the first time I had to cook for 30 people," said another Nakamura resident, Judy Zinker. "It's a lot easier than it seems," she added. She also has the chore of cleaning bathrooms twice a week. Occasionally someone won't show up or will skip their chores, but these in- stances are rare, said Wesselman. You can usually find someone to switch with you, but it's not always easy, especially during finals," she said. Students who take the liberty of skipping their jobs are fined, she added. LUTHER BUCHELE, a member of the Inter-Co-operative Council (ICC) explains many students join co-ops because "they want to manage their own place, and still have a sense of community." He continued to say co-ops provide students with the opportunity to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to the real world. "This is the best way for a business student to learn about business," added co-op resident John Donovan. The procedure for obtaining a space in a co-op involves several steps. First, one must go to the ICC office inthe Union to find out which houses have vacancies. The student then visits the various houses, preferably around din- ner time. Once the individual has chosen where he wants to live, he returns to the office to sign a lease. The ICC requires each student to pay both a refundable deposit of $100 and a non- refundable membership fee of $50. THE CO-OPS also cater to boar- ders. The rates vary with each house, but generally run between $75-$85 a month for 14 meals per week. In con- trast, dorfnitory meal contracts are about $135 a month for the same num- ber of meals. Each boarder generally puts in two hours of house work a week and must also sign a contract which requires a $20 refundable deposit. Buchele explaiend that a big drawing factor for co-ops this year is they were all renovated last summer. "The houses are in the best shape ever," he said. Improvements included painting, carpet laying, and the installation of new kitchen and bathroom facilities. All co-ops have several things in common, for instance all day GUFF (General Unspecified Free Food), which includes breakfast food and old standbys like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Each house also has free laundry, a house government, rebates for un-spent money, parking, and TV. After that, however, the differences among houses outweigh the similarities. MINNIE'S HOUSE, for example, voted a rule into its constitution that the house should be painted purple. House president John Binder said "It's great because you don't even have to tell people the house number, you just tell them its the purple house." Minnie's residents eat their meals at nearby Michigan or Vail house, but have a bright orange and yellow kit- chen of their own for snacks and Sun- day brunch. An annual event at Minnie's is the Jack Daniels backgammon tour- nament. Binder started it last year because the game had become so popular among residents. After writing a few letters, Binder convinced Jack Daniels to sponsor the tournament. The liquor corporation donated a large Jack Daniels mirror, chips, and mugs for prizes. LESTER HOUSE, which features a vegetarian menu, is another example of an atypical co-op. "Whole wheat is our theme," ex- pounded Lester resident John Donovan. Lester houses 16 residents and feeds another 14 daily. Students experiment with vegetarian recipes containing unusual beans, vegetables, fruits and dairy products. "WE HAVE THE largest selection of veggie cookbooks in Ann Arbor," said Mark Knopper. He continued to say most students do not know how to cook vegetarian when they arrive. "Those who do know, teach," he added. - The house, moreover, attracts a cer- tain type of individual. "Everyone's an activist here, politically aware," stressed Donovan. The house sent a group to Washington last March to protest registration for the draft. Last year Lester residents traveled all the way to Manitoba to view a total eclipse of the sun. Other unique features of this house are its co-ed rooms and room and board rate, which is a low $175 a month. IN OTHER CO-OPS, the cuisine is apt to be more familiar to the average student. Wesselman said residents there usually are served chicken, fish, pork and vegetarian meals throughout the week. Most decisions concerning house policies are made during house meetings. Binder explained that policies are flexible, and conflicts are usually worked out between in- dividuals. "Usually, we can reach a com- promise," he said. There is respect for Mass Meeting: Monday, Sept. 8-7:00 p.m. Anderson Room, Michigan Union L1$ L E U E B W-- :.U