Following last year's successful response, "Comfort Zone," an event combining all four of the University's fraternity and sorority councils, has expanded to draw increased support from the Greek community.
Comfort Zone combines philanthropic and social activities in hopes of improving race relations among Greek councils.
The event was founded in the fall of 2001 by two members of the Black Fraternal Council -- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. -- as well as Sigma Pi, a member of the Inter-Fraternity Council, and Gamma Phi Beta, an Inter-Sorority Council member.
This year, however, the event has grown to include the IFC's Sigma Chi fraternity, the ISC's Pi Beta Phi and Delta Gamma sororities, the BFC's Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., and two members of the Multicultural Greek Council -- alpha Kappa Delta Phi and Lambda Theta Alpha.
The event's original founders will participate as well.
According to Pebbles Deel, Gamma Phi Beta public relations chairwoman, the event's popularity caught on more than organizers had anticipated.
"Since we had such success last year, we figured the more the merrier," Gamma Phi Beta President Kristin Kirtley said. "Normally, the Greek system does not have many opportunities to get together all the councils."
Christie Kim, president of alpha Kappa Delta Phi, said she believes the event's increased popularity is because of a greater recognition of multicultural concerns on Grounds.
"The awareness in the University community itself has increased in past years," Kim said. "Diversity issues are more prevalent and people seem to be taking more initiative."
Iota Phi Theta President Jake Greene said his fraternity decided to become involved this year with the hope of building friendships within the system, and proving to those outside of it that a sense of community truly exists among Greek organizations.
Greene said he hopes this promotes "a better understanding of every single member's culture, especially the black Greeks. Many people don't understand how passionate we are about the Greek community."
Sigma Pi President Jon Riley agreed that Comfort Zone is unusual in collaborating organizations from all councils, and said he feels it serves an important role in addressing race relations.
"Because Comfort Zone is a student-run program, it shows that students acknowledge this problem and are willing to solve it," Riley said.
This semester's Comfort Zone includes afternoon service projects at the Rockfish Community Center and Camp Holiday trails this afternoon, as well as a social event at the Greenskeeper tonight.
In an unrelated activity, four other Greek organizations -- the IFC's Chi Psi, the BFC's Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the ISC's Kappa Delta -- will hold a joint philanthropic/social event today.
Aaron Laushway, assistant dean of students and director of fraternity and sorority life, said he is pleased and excited by the ways in which students have combined community service projects. Laushway also said he finds such social interaction as an encouraging effort to strengthen the Greek system.
"This ongoing interaction can only bring many good things to the University," Laushway said.
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