Tufts is about to get a bit hairier.
Theta Delta Chi (123) began a two-week moustache-growing contest yesterday to benefit cancer research.
As part of the kickoff, brothers tabled in the campus center, where students could stop by and make donations. All proceeds will go to the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
There will be another tabling session on Nov. 13.
According to Theta Delta Chi's philanthropy chair, senior Will Madden, the fraternity wanted to hold "an individual event that we could put a spin on" after participating in larger community-wide activities such as Halloween on the Hill and Relay for Life.
Additionally, Madden said he had been inspired by a friend who sought out sponsorship when growing a mustache, as well as by a friend who was attending a mustache-only party. Combining these ideas gave him the idea for the project.
Madden said that nationally, Theta Delta Chi chapters have traditionally supported the V Foundation. Started 14 years ago by former North Carolina State University basketball coach Jim Valvano as he battled cancer, the V Foundation has raised over $70 million.
Junior Jessica Lynn Snow, the public relations chair for the Inter-Greek Council, said that she is enthusiastic about Theta Delta Chi's project and believes that it will attract a good deal of participation on campus.
"[It will] get people involved who are not usually involved in philanthropy," she said.
According to Snow, the idea of a mustache competition is a good approach to raising money because it is a "hilarious" contest and it will be easy for students to participate through donations.
She said she hopes it raises awareness about important Greek philanthropic projects.
"We're trying to put more emphasis ... on all of the great things that [Greeks] do," she said.
According to Madden, the brothers of Theta Delta Chi began the competition by searching for sponsorship from their friends and family, thereby creating a team of support around them.
The tabling event yesterday and the one scheduled for Nov. 13 are designed to get the larger community involved.
Snow said that this falls in line with the goals of the Greek system.
"We would love to see more of the Tufts community help out with this philanthropic work," she said.
Following the two weeks of fundraising, the project will culminate on Nov. 17 in the Mustachio Bashio, a "philanthropy bash" during which the brothers will hold the mustache competition to see who has had the greatest success.
