Video: Give My Regards to UC Greek Week 2011

The University of Cincinnati’s fraternities and sororities are gearing up for comradeship, competition and service when

UC’s Greek Week gets underway April 11-19.

UC’s 23 fraternities and 12 sororities are working to accomplish their goal of raising $42,000 to benefit seven local children served by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Their year-long fundraiser for Make-A-Wish first got underway last fall with the Homecoming 5-K, which raised $5,500.

UC’s Greek social organizations are represented by about 1,800 students – seven percent of the full-time undergraduate student population, according to Russell Best, UC program coordinator for Fraternity & Sorority Life. Four fraternities – Alpha Chi Rho, Alpha Sigma Phi, Pi Kappa Phi and Triangle (a national social fraternity for engineers, architects and scientists) – were introduced on campus this year. Pi Beta Phi Sorority, introduced on campus last year, was the first new UC sorority on campus in 74 years. The all-Greek fall quarter grade-point-average was 3.1.

Best adds that since spring of last year, UC’s Greek organizations have contributed about 38,000 hours of community service and have raised more than $100,000 to benefit their philanthropies.

“Sorority life has opened up a lot of doors for me,” says Tri-Delta Sorority member and UC Greek Week President Abigail Melampy of Glendale, a third-year double major in psychology and organizational management. “I feel that because of Greek life, I have a much more rounded college experience.”

Greek Week also includes a student-sponsored blood drive for Hoxworth Blood Center at UC – a gift of life to the Cincinnati community. The celebration comes to a close as the top Greek Week competitors and top fundraisers are announced at the Greek Awards Celebration at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 19, in the Great Hall of Tangeman University Center (TUC).

Events are scheduled to take place, rain or shine. Here’s the lineup:

Monday, April 11

10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Order of Omega Blood Drive
Location: Great Hall, Tangeman University Center (TUC)
Students will take part in the blood drive.

11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Greek Cookout
Location: McMicken Commons
All members of the UC community are invited to take part in the free cookout and formal kickoff to Greek Week.

7-9 p.m.
Name That Tune Competition
Location: Great Hall, TUC
In celebration of a Broadway show-tune-themed Greek Week, teams will compete in three rounds that involve naming the show that featured the song, and providing the name of the song itself.

Tuesday, April 12

1-5 p.m.
Dodgeball Competition
Location: Stratford Heights
As many as 100 people will be competing in this single-elimination tournament team competition. The first team to eliminate all opposing players or the team with the greatest number of players remaining at the end of regulation time will be declared the winner.

7-10 p.m.
Step-Off
Location: Great Hall, TUC
This is one of the most popular events during Greek Week and is expected to draw hundreds of people. The chapters prepare a Broadway-themed Step presentation with a minimum of four members. First-place earns a Greek sorority or fraternity 50 points toward winning Greek Week.
Watch the 2010 Step Show Winners

Wednesday, April 13

Noon
Sand Volleyball Tournament
Location: Stratford Heights
As many as 100 people are expected to turn out for the three-on-three, round-robin volleyball tournament.

6-9 p.m.
God and Goddess Competition
Location: Great Hall, TUC
A Greek talent show featuring bands, dance performances and singing. The event is expected to attract 600 people. First-place scores 50 points toward their Greek Week total.

Thursday, April 14

11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Pie-in-the-Face
Location: McMicken Commons
Each chapter will select a member who’s willing to take a pie in the face to benefit Make-A-Wish. Prizes will be awarded to chapters who raise the most money during the contest.

6-9 p.m.
Lip-Sync Competition
Location: Great Hall, TUC
With the Broadway-themed Greek Week in mind, chapters will perform a lip-sync skit.

Friday, April 15

Noon-1 p.m.
Belly-Flop Contest
Location: Campus Recreation Center
Contestants will act out Broadway-themed skits, in costume, before taking the big plunge.

Saturday, April 16

11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Greek Games
Location: Sigma Sigma Commons
The games include a human pyramid competition, egg toss, tug-o-war, human chariot races and a dizzy bat course.

Fraternity and sorority life have been a part of UC since 1840 and emphasize scholarship, leadership and personal development. Among UC’s 2011 outstanding Greek organization members is Student Body President Drew Smith, a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi and the the 2011 recipient of the national Wayne S. Colvin Fraternal Values Award from the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values (AFLV). The award recognizes an undergraduate whose leadership exemplifies the core values and priorities of fraternity and sorority life.

UC Greek Week Executive Board

Abigail Melampy, Greek Week President
Adam Denton, Greek Week Vice President, internal affairs
Lloydia Jackson, Greek Week Vice President, external affairs
Dylan McCrate, Greek Week Treasurer
Samantha Baker, Greek Week Secretary
Mary Bell, Greek Week Public Relations
Ashley Baggett, Greek Week Advisor

Student Activities and Leadership Development

Fraternity & Sorority Life at UC