Next year’s pledge classes still will go Greek with songs and speakers — but without the alcohol.
Greek groups decided early Spring Quarter to revamp Northwestern’s traditional night of debauchery, Gone Greek Night, but are uncertain about how to replace the festivities.
If held on campus, the event will be dry. But leaders also are discussing moving the events off campus — except for the annual serenading of sororities by fraternities — and holding one large party for all of the houses.
Greek leaders said they made the decision in an effort to preempt pressure from administrators and national organizations to change the event. They said the annual event — held each winter as part of pledge orientation — perpetuated problems such as drinking and sexual assault.
The decision comes one year after the Interfraternity Council voted to make tailgates dry. Most of NU’s fraternities will go dry in the fall, and the Panhellenic Association voted Fall Quarter to co-sponsor only dry events on campus with fraternities starting next quarter.
“This is a proactive measure instead of waiting for someone to get seriously injured or (for something to) go awry,” said Meaghen Foley, programming director for Panhel. “We’re saying there are some things we need to work on if we’re going to do this before administration, adults or our own members get upset with us and we lose this tradition.”
During this year’s festivities, one woman reported to police that she had been raped.
A committee comprising 15 delegates from the Interfraternity Council, Panhel and individual chapters will discuss changes and form a tentative plan by the end of the quarter. The committee will discuss it with IFC and Panhel in the fall.
Gone Greek Night currently includes a speech on alcohol awareness and group discussions on sexual assault during the day. Pledges serenade each other in the sorority quads at night, and men give women roses. Pledges and upperclassmen can then attend parties held by several houses.
The committee also will consider a more formal schedule, including lunch and dinner for both sorority and fraternity pledges.
“The atmosphere will change entirely by having it be more scheduled and not focused on alcohol and partying,” said committee member Libby Lempereur.
Greek leaders stressed that the traditional singing will continue to be held on campus, although the songs themselves might change.
“Some songs have names of other houses in them,” said Lempereur, a McCormick sophomore. “That’s been a problem because a week after Rush you’re badmouthing other houses.”
Keeping a positive attitude and conveying it to incoming freshmen will help ensure that the night remains a tradition, Greek leaders said.
“Freshmen coming in next year aren’t going to know any different,” said committee member Bobby Brenman, a Weinberg sophomore. “It’s up to freshmen and sophomores now to show support for this and understand it’s still going to be a great event. With that we’ll be able to change it, and it won’t be like we’re missing anything.”
Changing the night will help preserve it for future pledge classes, said IFC President Dustin Cook.
“I remember the sense of camaraderie the house has, the togetherness of the night and the enthusiasm,” said Cook, a McCormick junior. “It’s something everyone holds as a sacred tradition, but if we want to keep it we can’t let it get out of hand.”
