DAVID KOB
Staff Writer
Two years ago, I called my dad and told him I was pledging a fraternity. He instantly conjured up stories from his frat days, most of which involved alcohol, sleepless nights and basically getting his rear kicked (all in delightful hindsight). When I broke the news that you are not allowed to do that anymore, he said, “What? Then why would you join one?”
Good question, one especially pertinent to Pepperdine students. Family Weekend is next week, and there are more events in these three days than the Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) has planned for fraternities all semester. Heck, my freshman dorm planned more events than the IFC.
It ends there, however. Beyond the strict rules implemented in our Greek system, Pepperdine’s invisible hand does not have deep pockets. The IFC and Panhellenic council barely receive enough from dues and the SGA to fund homecoming and Greek Cup. They have no donors and no alumni relations, meaning no fun.
Fun. Recreation. A partisan byproduct of Greek Life, invariably explaining Pepperdine’s laissez-faire view toward funding it. Education, athletics and service dominate the budget. The Greek System, as it stands, resembles CBS’s Survivor: Nobody cares about it, yet it there it is, year after year.
Let us change that. Greek life has potential to be the main attraction at Pepperdine, even more so than the beautiful Pacific. As several e-mails informed me after last week’s column, Division One football is a long way off. Therefore to combat our (lack of) spirit, Greek life must rise to a new level.
Boosting Greek life on campus starts with ideas. I myself am preparing a proposal to IFC that outlines a yearlong “Capture the Flag” game between fraternities and sororities, requiring teamwork, planning, spirit and most importantly fun. There could also be Greek boat races, political debates, fantasy sports leagues, poker tournaments, each earning their respected fraternity or sorority points that go toward winning a huge prize at the end of the year. (Perhaps a house on campus?) Pepperdine is small enough to turn these ideas into reality and strengthen the Greek system.
However, more events require money the IFC and Panhellenic do not have. Money must come from within the Greek system, which is in great shape financially. Call alumni. Plan fund-raisers. Heck, get a camera and sell a celebrity photo to US Weekly — anything to raise money.
With the right ideas and the right funding, the IFC can achieve anything at Pepperdine. Have pride in your affiliation; make others jealous. Make Greek life not what it was (hazing), not what it is (boring), but what it should be (important). And if you are not Greek, right now, you are not missing much, but you could be, and I hope you will be.
10-05-2006