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Iowa Greek Express, 1971

The Iowa Greek Express, Vol. 3 Page 5

exchange a success

BY TOM BLACKETT

"The initial Greek-Dorm exchanges were a complete success. Everyone involved had a good time. It was fantastic the way both groups associated to see through the stereotypes which too often can cause a lot of hard feelings." With this statement, Scott Harrison, Executive Vice-President of the Inter-Fraternity Council, commented on the Fraternity-Sorority-Dormitory exchanges which took place in the first two weeks of February.
The program was setup, with Scott's help, to allow one fraternity, one sorority, one men dorm floor and won women's dorm floor to get together, talk over problems, and to generally get to know one another better as students at the University of Iowa. Four fraternities, (Delta Chi, Delta Tau Delta, Alpha Tau Omega, and phi Gamma Delta), four sororities, (Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Chi Omega, and Alpha Phi) and eight dormitory floors were involved this first time. Each of the four groups met at the fraternity houses. Scott Harrison said:
"We all have problems; problems which can only be solved through a united effort. And if there is no communication between the Greeks on campus and the resident halls nothing will ever be accomplished. This was one of the primary considerations involved in setting up the program."
The fraternities found that many of the men from the dorm floors came to the exchanges with the idea of making fun of the fraternity "image", and wore work-shirts, jeans, and long ties. But after a few minutes, the men who had instigated the pimp apologized. They found out that the Greeks are real people who think, act and dress just like everyone else. This was another purpose of the program.
Tim Morris, a resident of Reinow II, commented on the exchanges: "Everyone on my floor had a really good time. Most of the men were amazed that no pressure tactics were involved; there was the fear that since the exchanges were going to be held in a fraternity house, the whole evening would be nothing but pro-Greek propaganda. This wasn't the case at all."
"The idea is an excellent one; after all, we're all students of the University, we might as well get to know one another. The evening was more than I expected."
Kathy Moore, from Burge hall had this to say:
"I feel the exchanges serve a very good purpose. Most of the girls on my floor are transfer students, and the exchanges allowed them to hear about Greek life first-hand, rather than through the grapevine, which can involve a lot of bias. It was a chance for us to meet people, play cards, and talk, which is very important to a college student. It was really impressive to find the Greeks making this effort."
"Some girls will go out with one Greek, not like him, and then be down on the whole system. The exchanges gave a wider spectrum to Greek life, and allowed us to voice our complaints and let the Greeks know what exactly is involved in dorm life, too.  Any chance for any of the girls in any of the dorms to get out and meet new people is worthwhile."
Bob Lipp, of Hillcrest, gave another side to the Greek Dorm exchanges:
"The exchanges allowed people who are interested in the Greek System to see the houses. It also gave us the opportunity to meet some girls, which was really nice. I was just glad to get out of the dorm and see new people."
Larry Audlehelm, president of the Delta Chi house, had some misgivings about the program:
"At first I was very hesitant about going through with the exchanges. I didn't think it would work. We had a few problems right-off with men from the dorm floor trying to mock the Greek stereo-type, but after the men found out that we were not the Freddy Frat-Rats they had anticipated and this was a chance to have a good time, everyone relaxed and it went real well."
"I think the people from the dormitories learned that their assumptions about fraternities and sororities were wrong; conversely, we learned a lot about the dorm situation, which made the whole evening worthwhile. We need the communication, and this is an excellant opportunity to bring the students here at the University together."
The IFC and the Pan-Hellenic Council have decided to increase the scope of the program to include all of the fraternities and sororities, later this year. Scott Harrison said:
"We're going to do this again. It's the best way we can think of to bring the people here at the University of Iowa together."

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exchange a success BY TOM BLACKETT "The initial Greek-Dorm exchanges were a complete success. Everyone involved had a good time. It was fantastic the way both groups associated to see through the stereotypes which too often can cause a lot of hard feelings." With this statement, Scott Harrison, Executive Vice-President of the Inter-Fraternity Council, commented on the Fraternity-Sorority-Dormitory exchanges which took place in the first two weeks of February. The program was setup, with Scott's help, to allow one fraternity, one sorority, one men dorm floor and won women's dorm floor to get together, talk over problems, and to generally get to know one another better as students at the University of Iowa. Four fraternities, (Delta Chi, Delta Tau Delta, Alpha Tau Omega, and phi Gamma Delta), four sororities, (Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Chi Omega, and Alpha Phi) and eight dormitory floors were involved this first time. Each of the four groups met at the fraternity houses. Scott Harrison said: "We all have problems; problems which can only be solved through a united effort. And if there is no communication between the Greeks on campus and the resident halls nothing will ever be accomplished. This was one of the primary considerations involved in setting up the program." The fraternities found that many of the men from the dorm floors came to the exchanges with the idea of making fun of the fraternity "image", and wore work-shirts, jeans, and long ties. But after a few minutes, the men who had instigated the pimp apologized. They found out that the Greeks are real people who think, act and dress just like everyone else. This was another purpose of the program. Tim Morris, a resident of Reinow II, commented on the exchanges: "Everyone on my floor had a really good time. Most of the men were amazed that no pressure tactics were involved; there was the fear that since the exchanges were going to be held in a fraternity house, the whole evening would be nothing but pro-Greek propaganda. This wasn't the case at all." "The idea is an excellent one; after all, we're all students of the University, we might as well get to know one another. The evening was more than I expected." Kathy Moore, from Burge hall had this to say: "I feel the exchanges serve a very good purpose. Most of the girls on my floor are transfer students, and the exchanges allowed them to hear about Greek life first-hand, rather than through the grapevine, which can involve a lot of bias. It was a chance for us to meet people, play cards, and talk, which is very important to a college student. It was really impressive to find the Greeks making this effort." "Some girls will go out with one Greek, not like him, and then be down on the whole system. The exchanges gave a wider spectrum to Greek life, and allowed us to voice our complaints and let the Greeks know what exactly is involved in dorm life, too. Any chance for any of the girls in any of the dorms to get out and meet new people is worthwhile." Bob Lipp, of Hillcrest, gave another side to the Greek Dorm exchanges: "The exchanges allowed people who are interested in the Greek System to see the houses. It also gave us the opportunity to meet some girls, which was really nice. I was just glad to get out of the dorm and see new people." Larry Audlehelm, president of the Delta Chi house, had some misgivings about the program: "At first I was very hesitant about going through with the exchanges. I didn't think it would work. We had a few problems right-off with men from the dorm floor trying to mock the Greek stereo-type, but after the men found out that we were not the Freddy Frat-Rats they had anticipated and this was a chance to have a good time, everyone relaxed and it went real well." "I think the people from the dormitories learned that their assumptions about fraternities and sororities were wrong; conversely, we learned a lot about the dorm situation, which made the whole evening worthwhile. We need the communication, and this is an excellant opportunity to bring the students here at the University together." The IFC and the Pan-Hellenic Council have decided to increase the scope of the program to include all of the fraternities and sororities, later this year. Scott Harrison said: "We're going to do this again. It's the best way we can think of to bring the people here at the University of Iowa together."