MGC and NPHC chapters participate in Greek Week

This is the first time in 50 years MGC has participated.

By Amanda Wysocki

Published April 17, 2009

Multicultural fraternities and sororities are participating in Greek Week this year, something they have not even tried to do in half a century.

"This year is the first year in 50 years that we tried to participate in Greek Week," Multicultural Greek Council President Chantee Smith said.

Greek Week is traditionally made up of representatives from the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Association, which make up most of the Greek chapters in Greektown.

"They have made some changes that made us able to participate without other things interfering," Smith said.

Smith said some of the MGC members are participating in the blood drive and the T-shirt drive, as well as trying out for individual activities.

"We participated as much as we could for having low numbers," Smith said.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council also had two chapters participate in various activities this year.

"Delta Sigma Theta and Alpha Phi Alpha are both getting involved this year," said NPHC President Andrea Lee. "At Delta, we're only doing the community service stuff and the blood drive."

Lee said time commitments prevent many of the NPHC chapters from participating.

"We have our own things going on," Lee said. "We have a step show coming on that we are working on."

Lee said financial issues also come into play and prevent multicultural organizations from participating in Greek Week.

Overall, Lee said NPHC organizations are not all that different from those that fall under the PHA or IFC.

"I think the only big difference is number-wise and quantity," Lee said. "Other than that, we all share the same struggles and goals."

Rather than participating in Greek Week, many of the NPHC chapters participate in Alpha Week. This year's Alpha Week was held last week and had an Egyptian theme.

MGC also holds a week with similar activities.