Despite wind and chilly temperatures, the Inter-Greek Council pulled out the sprinkler and got ready to play in the mud on Sunday, kicking off Greek Week 2006. Members of various sororities and fraternities came together to organize a mud volleyball tournament, quilt-square blanket-making and free food, all to the sounds of a DJ in one of the first events of the week.
The volleyball tournament, which took place on Fletcher Field, was open to all students and has been a popular social event during Greek Week for the past few years. "We want to provide a good time for people who are in the Greek system and people who aren't," said sophomore Peter Christensen. "There's definitely a stigma against fraternities and sororities, and we're trying to change that through showing our true moral values and getting everyone involved."
Students split into separate teams and kicked off their shoes to serve and spike in the mud. "It's an opportunity for the rest of campus to hang out with us and see what we do, since most of our events are for members," said Natalie Grano, the president of Alpha Omega Pi.
Although a car wash whose proceeds were to go to the AIDS emergency fund was cancelled due to the weather, volleyball and blanket-making were in full force. "My main goal was to make the event less about socializing and more about substantial things - like service and philanthropy - because oftentimes, Greek events can be characterized negatively," said sophomore and Inter-Greek Council Social Chair Sarah Ladd.
Inside the Chi Omega house, students decorated quilt squares for Project Linus, a non-profit organization which donates blankets and toys to children in homeless shelters and intensive care.
Junior Alissa Jacob, president of the Pan-Hellenic Society, explained that all three of Tufts' sororities came together to coordinate the blanket-making event. "Greek Week is about showing the community aspect of Greek Life," Jacob said.
Mindy Nierenberg of the University College of Citizenship and Public Service added that the blankets were to be donated locally to the Tufts/New England Medical Center.
"I think it's great that all the sororities want to do this. They really want to make a difference for kids," Nierenberg said.
The remaining Greek Week events include Croquet With Cops on the Residential Quad, a faculty banquet, Bowel Bash, and Greek Jam, which takes place on the small Spring Fling stage and features a song or skit performed by every house.
