The Red and Black

Members of 40 Greek organizations will try to break down barriers between themselves and the rest of the student population this week in Greek Week '98.

"We can show the campus that Greeks are positive," said Carla Zuill, programming chair. "We're not a bunch of kids getting drunk and hazing people."

The week begins today and runs through Thursday. Twenty-three fraternities, 18 sororities and five black Greek organizations will take part in the festivities, said Chip Marrara, adviser to fraternities.

"We want to improve the Greek image on campus," said Tia Martarella, chair of Greek Week '98.

The main philanthropy event will take place Wednesday, when Greek organizations compete in a pizza-eating contest at the Tate Student Center Plaza. Contestants sponsored by their fraternity or sorority must pay $100 to enter the event, with proceeds benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Athens.

The head of the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Athens will attend a gaming event and cookout Thursday to receive the donation from the contest.

"Hopefully, boys and girls from the club will be there for the games and cookout," said Kori Patterson, internal relations chair of Greek Week '98. Thursday's gaming events include a tug-of-war, basketball, tennis and a three-legged race.

A panel of four students will gather on Tuesday afternoon to discuss how to improve human relations on campus. Members of the panel will come from the Student Government Association, NAACP, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and the Asian-American Student Association.

"We're going to discuss affirmative action and human relations," Zuill said. "We'll get the student perspective as to how the campus can become more cohesive."

Greeks also will try to mend differences between themselves.

"There's always been a divisiveness between each Greek council," Zuill said. "Regardless of what letters we wear, we can come together and celebrate the one thing we have in common - being Greek."

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