Greeks unite, sponsor benefit dance-a-thon
Fundraiser marks first of its kind in UCLA history
By Jennifer K. Morita
In a first-ever joint event, UCLA’s four greek councils are
putting together a dance-a-thon to benefit underprivileged students
Saturday night in Ackerman Grand Ballroom.
"It’s the first time ever in UCLA history that all the greeks
are coming together for one event," said dance-a-thon committee
chairperson Tonya Foster.
The Asian Greek, Interfraternity, National Pan-Hellenic and
Panhellenic councils  representing UCLA’s 46 sororities and
fraternities  have traditionally remained separate
organizations, each holding its own community service and social
events.
In the past, members have discussed combining the efforts of the
greek councils. But it wasn’t until last quarter that talk became
action when the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority came up with an idea for
an All Greek Benefit Concert.
"Everyone wanted to do it and everybody had been talking about
it for a long time," said Foster. "All the sororities and
fraternities on campus do community service so why not do something
together to let the larger student body know what we do."
A committee, made up of representatives from each greek council,
decided it wanted to hold an event that could be held on campus for
the general student body to participate in as well, planners
said.
One member of the dance-a-thon committee called the benefit an
effort for unity.
"At UCLA it’s very segregated," said Rachel Sanes, a Sigma Gamma
Rho member. "When you join a greek organization, it becomes even
more solidified. We wanted a unity thing where we could get to know
each other."
Sanes’ sorority is one of eight houses under the National
Pan-Hellenic Council, representing African-American fraternities
and sororities.
"The other parties and dances we go to are put on by the other
black organizations. We wanted to bring everyone together. I’m
talking about all races. We’re handing out flyers to everyone,
regardless of race, because we want everyone to be there," said
Sanes.
When an African American campus group puts on an event, members
traditionally hand out flyers to other African Americans on
Wednesdays at noon  a practice called "Black Wednesdays,"
Sanes said.
For this event, the All Greek Benefit Concert committee wanted
to reach out to all students.
"We wanted to have the precedent of coming together on the basis
of being students instead of having separate sectors of blacks,
Asians and whites," said Foster.
"It’s a real effort to bring the campus closer together," said
Interfraternity Council President Mike Chao. "It brings together
the different facets of the greek system that traditionally haven’t
been that close."
The event will also be a way for members of one council to meet
members from other councils, students said.
"I’ve never done anything with anyone from the other councils,"
said Judy Shu, a member of Theta Kappa Phi under the Asian Greek
Council. "Putting this event on for needy students was a good
opportunity to break the ice for meeting people."
"Otherwise, I would never have even known who was in the
Panhellenic and National Panhellenic councils," Shu said.
The All Greek Benefit Concert, through monetary pledges by the
UCLA houses, is raising almost $2,000 for underprivileged
students.
Students In Need  the statewide organization benefiting
from the dance-a-thon  offers aid to either college or trade
school students through grants, said its executive director Lerner
Thompson.
"We’re trying to help students and it’s a good idea to have
students help other students," said Thompson.
An eight member committee is currently reviewing applications
from UCLA students seeking aid for Spring quarter, according to
Thompson.
"We wanted to show that you can party, but you can also party
for something that’s a worthy cause," said Sanes.
The All Greek Benefit Concert kicks off with the presentation of
a check to Students In Need at 8:30 p.m. Dancing starts at 9 p.m.
and refreshments will be served. The dance-a-thon is free to all
UCLA students.