The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 4, 1986 - Page 3A Greeks gain respect despite self-indulgent image By MELISSA BIRKS When the Sigma Alpha Mu frater- nity paid a man reputed to be the world's fastest beer drinker $1500 to come imbibe on campus last March, many snickered it was "just another fraternity schenanigan." But as membership in fraternities and sororities steadily increases, the Greek" system is forcing the rest of campus to take it seriously. The Greek system has experienced a startling resurgence in the last twenty years. In the '60s, while stud- ent activists captured front page headlines, membership in fraternities and sororities plummeted. Several fraternities were forced to rent out their houses, and some were ignored into oblivion altogether. Last year, the resurgence that has seen the number of fraternity pledges almost double over the last ten years, showed no signs of slowing down. Twice as many men and 200 more women than the year before pledged to join fraternities and sororities last fall. Visible on campus By virtue of sheer numbers and their interest in social organizations, Greeks play a visible role throughout campus. 40 percent of the University Activities Center's executive council - which organizes many events on campus - are in fraternities and sororities. Nearly half of all resident advisors and resident directors are Greek, as are many orientation Tschampel, a member of Sigma Chi. "It's a matter of opinion whether or not it's negative," says Dennis Kavanagh, president of the Inter- Fraternity Council (IFC) and a mem- ber of Alpha Tau Omega. "It depends on who looks at it. If they're not in the Greek system, they think, 'They're a bunch of drunks. There they go again.' " Despite the "indulgent" label, Greeks are also known for charity work. One of the highpoints in the Greek year is "Greek Week" every March. With a series of events like the bed race, fraternities and sororities last year raised $30,000 for a variety of charities. Reason for resurgence unknown Exactly why University students are increasingly being drawn to the Greek system is unclear. "They're back for the same reason that the junior prom is back, that Ronald Reagan is president, that there's a religious revival, and a rebirth of patriotism," suggests Jack Levin, a sociologist at Northeastern Univer- sity in California. Paula Glanzman, former president of Sigma Delta Tau, offers another explanation. "The basic thing about the Greek system is the 'niche' aspect - the support of sisters and brothers getting through four traumatic years," she says. Even so, neither pledges or actives think that the threat of hazing should stop anyone from rushing. While But other costs tend to make being Greek more expensive. Pledge fees, which pay for pledge bookd, pins, sweatshirts, pictures, and other paraphenalia, can cost from $20 to $150. "I wasn't aware of it. It's kind of a shock to you," said Tschampel, who spent more than $200 at a fraternity formal in Chicago. He said he spends $125 a semester in social fees. 'Rush is more competitive Whatever the reason, the rise in Greeks has made rush - already a cruelly selective and rigorously scheduled activity - more com- petitive both among pledges and among houses. Among houses, bigger seems to be better. Smaller houses, or houses far from Central Campus often have to resort to special measures, such as free steak dinners, to attract prospec- tive pledges. "The bigger houses are more competitive," Kavanagh acknowledges. The lobbying to get the "best" pledges really begins before rush even begins, when potential pledges decide which fraternity or sorority to join. Stereotypes play a huge role in this. IFC President Kavanagh con- cedes that like all generalizations, fraternities and sororities' reputations have at least some truth in them. "When I rushed, I didn't know the sterotypes. I just went. Whichever one I liked, I figured out for myself. When I found out (the reputations) after- wards, they pretty much correspon- ded," said LSA sophomore Kris Mathews who joined Alpha Phi her freshman year. Most fraternity and sorority mem- bers agreee that sterotypes flow freely through the system. While they cite "being labeled" as the worst part of being Greek, the stigma attached to their house directly affects how many pledges a house gets and what parties housemembers are invited to. "There are a lot of reputations. You can't avoid it. I think that most might be true a little," Tschampel says. One of the advantages of waiting to rush until second term freshman year, rush veterans say, is that there's time to learn the different reputations and how true they are. For fraternities, reputations are based largely on the size of the house its location, and the parties they have. Sororities, however, are at the mercy of stereotypes that perpetuate form the social calender. Because sorority charters do not allow alcohol in the houses, sororities rely on fraternities to throw parties. And that means more competition. "We call up a fraternity and ask for a party. There's competition with other 'People think it's all drinking, all parties, and so-called getting laid. But it's not.' -LSA junior Rick Tschampel leaders. "Greeks tend to be some of the major contributors to student life on campus," said Cindy Straub, con- sultant to the Student Organization Development Council. "Greeks tend to be leaders or members of volunteer organizations." The Greek system has even caught the attention of the University's ad- ministration. Last year, for example, t e University created a task force to explore the relationship between the University and the Greek system. "Right now, it's real loose. There is no relationship," Straub said. "Most major organizations have a formal relationship with the University. There is no one to do that for fraternities. There has been some discussion to give them more help thanthey have had," she said. The University, for example, could help Greeks plan and manage such huge events as "Greek Week," and programs as increasing alcohol abuse and "date" rape awareness in the houses. "With that many students, it's a marvelous opportunity to influence growth and personal development outside the classroom," said Jo Rum- sey, assitant director of University housing, and a member of the task force. Greeks have been controversial The increase in the Greek system, however, does not always bring such positive responses. The large amount of money spent on the speed beer drinker, as well as such traditional events as jumping into a vat of jello, have brought snickers of "those in- dulgent Greeks." "People think that it's all drinking, all parties, and so-called getting laid. But it's not," said LSA junior Rick freshmen "should be concerned about it," said LSA junior Chris Cumming who joined Delta Upsilon his fresh- man year, "If they're more concerned about hazing than joining the house, don't join the house." "Hazing is not nearly as bad as it used to be," Cumming added. Greeks have obligations Many pledges don't realize what they're getting involved in when they decide to wear fraternity or sorority letters. "They think it's all fun and no work," says nursing j nir Vickie ZSizncm. Actually, Greeks require actives and pledges to work on fundraisers for their charity. Each fraternity and sorority raises money throughout the year for a particular charity. "A lot (of pledges) come through and they don't know what fraternities are about," says Tschampel. "Usually people only have been to the parties before. They're interested in the parties, or had people they know in fraternities they join." In addition, Kavanagh said, many prospective pledges don't realize the cost of joining the Greek system. Several houses require their mem- bers to live in the house, and actives make a point during rush to explain how much money would be involved. "It's important to know the finan- cial obligations," Kavanagh said. "We don't want someone to drop out because of money." Just considering housing, being a Greek is relatively inexpensive. Even during the '60s, Greek housing was a popular alternative because of the cheap prices, according to Rumsey. "It's always been attractive room and board," she said. The average cost of living in a fraternity is about $340 per month including a full meal plan. Agaly rnotoby SCOTI LITUCHY Alex Kay from the Pi Beta Phi sorority emerges from Greek Week's Jello Jump. houses, because you want to party with the big houses, the popular ones," said Sizemore. Fraternities, in turn, vote for the sororities they want to party with. The requirements? "They have to be fun to party with, and it's better if they're good looking," said Tschampel. "If they're good looking, but dead then that's not good either." Some don't have good reputations. They're really ugly, fat, tall, or no fun. They'll got to a party and just talk to each other. If you get stuck with them, you'll be upset," LSA junior G.M. Broucek said. "So you have a pre-party and get really drunk so you're prepared." Pledge competition cutthroat But it's the competition between pledges that gives rush its cutthroat reputation. For a week towards the beginning of each term, rushees spend three to four hours a night visiting parties at some of the 32 houses on campus. "I didn't open a book the whole week of rush,", said Takeshi Hatanaka, an engineering junior who joined Sigma Phi Epsilon. 6 "From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., you drink, and you don't feel like going tb classes. When you rush, you don't feel like doing anything," said Broucek. F Freshmen encouraged Even with the demanding tinie commitments, rush veterans still en- courage freshmen to join, but usually not until winter term. LSA senior William Balz, who rushed Sigma Chi his freshman yea?' notes that 'students have less time to join after freshman year. "You ha e See NEGATIVE, Page 15 Suicides among students haunt friends By REBECCA BLUMENSTEIN On the chilly autumn night of Oc- tober 16 engineering senior Richard Grabowski jumped to his death from a parking structure at East Williams and Fourth Streets. On a Sunday evening 11 days later, a freshman living in Bursley slashed her wrists in an attempt to kill her- self. And in November, a student ex- pressed concern about a friend, another LSA junior, whose wrists bear razor blade scratches and who speaks frequently about death. UNIVERSITY counselors and national suicide experts say the three suicidal occurrences described above are not uncommon - only surprising and disturbing to students who may fail to realize that someone they know wants to die until it's too late. Evelyn Gauthier, assistant director of the University's Counselng Ser- vices, says it is "almost inevitable that most students, within four years of school, will encounter one (peer) who is seriously contemplating suicide or has even attempted it." The actual numbers of suicides are believed to be under-reported because students may kill themselves during a visit at home or their death certificate may not list suicide cause of death. Gauthier says available statistics show that four to five students in a campus the size of the University's will end their own lives during an average academic year. "AT LEAST 10 times as many have seriously attempted suicide," she ad. ds, "and 10 times that many have committed harmful acts upon theib body, such as scratching their wrists or an excessive use of drugs of alcohol." According to Gauthier, at lease another 500 students every academic See COLLEGE, Page 15 ,, C E4 Si C DE I 0 D o ' k e p it u n e q choices available ~~yA a .. Don't keep it under your hat! ARCADE BARBERS MAISON EDWARDS La Marque de Qualite' TOBACCONIST 11 NICKELS ARCADE ANN ARBO *LIGHTERS PIPES *GERMAN *CIGARS BEER *IMPORTED STEINS CIGARETTES 662-4145 HOURS 9a.m. till 5:30p.m. MONDAY THRU SATURDAY CLOSED SUNDAYS practically unlimited. arcade jewelry shop " Custom made engagement rings " Hand engraved signet rings " Gift ideas $10.00 and up " Layaways welcome Bay's - where quality is a tradition, not a goal. 10 North Campus 769-5511 Central Campus 761-1111 South Campus 761-9393 Hours. it o.m.-1 a.m. Sun.-Thurs. 11 o.m.-2a.m. Fri.-Sat. 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