Greek Week is in full swing. Seton Hall is celebrating Greek unity among its fraternities, sororities and multicultural organizations while encouraging a little friendly competition among the Greek community. A noted difference in the competition this year is that the organizations have teamed up into groups of four to promote Greek unity and communication among SHU’s many diverse organizations. Each team is composed of one Inter-Fraternity council organization, one collegiate panhellenic council organization, and two multicultural Greek council organizations. As a twist, each team was assigned a “throwback era” theme, and all the teams were encouraged to show off their decade’s fashion at all of the week’s events. SHU’s Greek organizations will be very busy with events such as a kickball game, Family Feud, a talent show and a week-long Penny War. The winning team at the end of the week will receive $500 to split among the philanthropies of the organizations composing the team, as well as a trophy for each organization. Greek Week at Seton Hall gives each organization an opportunity to define itself. For example, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., a sorority in the category of “multicultural” on Seton Hall’s campus is one of the “Divine Nine,” which means they are amongst the first nine African American sororities in America. According to one member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, this multicultural sorority differs from others fraternities and sororities in “where our foundations lie.” They keep true to their cultural roots in many of the traditions they still hold today, such as stepping and strolling. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, also a member of the “Divine Nine” and founded in 1914, is on team one. Fraternity member Adham McGuire feels that the stigma of being labeled multicultural “takes away from each organization’s unique aspects. It doesn’t really give each organization the credit it deserves.” However, McGuire also feels that Greek Week offers a chance for the University to understand each organization better and to dispel the fear surrounding Greek life. “We really appreciate the unity we found here,” McGuire said. “We love Greek Week.” The Xurima Chapter of Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority Inc., founded here at Seton Hall in 2003, is also on team one. As the first historically multicultural sorority founded in the nation, Mu Sigma Upsilon strives to uphold “a vision of uniting all women,” said Joli Doñé, the chapter president. Doñé went on to say that the goal of her sorority is to “accept people and not discriminate.” She feels that Mu Sigma Upsilon’s participation in Greek Week contributes to Greek Unity in that the organizations can “unite for one common purpose.” Brianna Bernath can be reached at brianna.bernath@student.shu. edu.
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