Before she even pledged her sorority, Rachel Iker envisioned
bringing a long-forgotten tradition back to UCLA ““ Greek
Week.
This week, after two years of planning, dozens of fraternities
and sororities participated in four days of events for the first
time in over 15 years.
Fraternities and sororities were paired up into teams. During
the week, organizers held events including a team dinner,
competitions and philanthropy.
Iker, president of the Panhellenic Executive Council and
chairwoman of the Greek Week committee, said the goal of Greek Week
was to foster inter-Greek relations.
“It’s (been a) great success,” she said,
adding that 45 different groups participated.
“I wanted to not only create an environment where Greeks
get together, but have fun and give back to the community,”
she said.
Noting that UCLA has one of the largest Greek systems on the
West Coast, Matt Olssen, president of the Interfraternity Council,
said the week’s goal was to be inclusive of all Greek
organizations, including chapters that may not be on the row or
have houses.
Olssen served as assistant director of the Greek Week
committee.
“The message of the week was to unify the Greek system …
regardless of (people’s) background,” he said.
Panhellenic sorority houses started the week off on Monday,
hosting team dinners and a banner competition.
Groups participated in Greek Games on Tuesday, a series of
competitions that included pie eating, jousting, volleyball and
other games. Olssen said there were over 700 participants at the
event, held at Drake Stadium.
“It shows how proud people are to be part of the Greek
system,” he said.
On Wednesday, Philanthropy Day, participants highlighted their
charitable works with a Can Tower Competition, where groups used
donated food to create artwork. Over 3,500 cans and nonperishable
food were donated to the Los Angeles Food Bank, Iker said.
She added that groups also fliered for their own philanthropic
organizations and projects, including a Penny War from the Junior
Panhellenic Society and a Literacy Drive from the Order of the
Omegas, as well as the Student Welfare Commission’s Blood
Drive.
A lip-synch contest concluded the week on Thursday at Tom
Bradley International Hall.
Groups performed 10-minute skits and an awards ceremony was held
during intermission to recognize the week’s winning team,
Iker said.
Greek Adviser Troy Bartels said he thought the reason Greek Week
had not been held in recent years is because of a lack of interest
from Greek leaders.
Olssen said the week helped break stereotypes of fraternities
and sororities.
“It shows the unity and fun of Greek life … beyond the
“˜Animal House’ mentality,” Olssen said.
“The Greek system benefits (the UCLA) community in so many
ways, outside of Thursday house parties.”
Though Greek Week is a popular tradition at other universities,
Bartels said he thought the success of UCLA’s event was
largely due to its relaxed atmosphere.
“At most campuses, it’s a monster. It was nice to
start off on a smaller scale,” he said.
Organizers are hoping to hold Greek Week annually in the spring
quarter in the future, Olssen said.