Every year for Gone Greek Night fraternity members hurry around the Sorority Quads in a blur of khaki pants, pea coats and dress shoes, trying to keep warm in the chilly weather.
But Friday night they didn’t have to worry as much about cold toes and frostbitten fingers because Greek officials moved the traditional serenading inside sorority houses.
Gone Greek Night allows new fraternity and sorority members to get together with their houses for dinner, singing and chapter-sponsored parties.
One fraternity member barked instructions at his group as they waited on a sorority’s steps for the men inside to finish singing.
“When they come out, you will whoop and holler like sailors on shore leave!” he shouted.
Fraternity members often bring roses to the women they serenade, and both men and women sing popular tunes, sometimes with twisted lyrics.
“It’s always goofy and fun,” said Francesca Rodriguez, president of the Panhellenic Association.
New members often don’t know what to expect for Gone Greek Night, said Aaron Gooze, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
“It’s probably something they’ve never really experienced before,” said Gooze, a McCormick junior. “There’s a lot of ‘I have no idea what I’m getting into’ feeling.”
Still, Gooze said the evening is a chance to show house pride — and sing cheesy songs to women.
“There’s always the classic ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling’ … that always comes out after a while,” Gooze said.
Kyle Pendleton, associate director of Greek Affairs, agreed that Gone Greek Night helps fraternities and sororities come together as a community. This is the first year Pendleton was involved with Gone Greek Night, a tradition he said he hasn’t seen at other universities.
“It’s pretty unique to Northwestern,” he said.
To prepare for the event each year, the Greek system requires new members to attend speeches on alcohol awareness and sexual assault prevention, said James Troupis, Interfraternity Council president.
This year nearly 600 students packed into Coon Forum on Thursday night to hear Mike Green, who has been coming to NU for the past six years, deliver anecdotes about drinking safely. Jamie Jimenez, coordinator of NU’s sexual assault education program, also spoke about sexual harassment.
Usually Gone Greek Night is held on a Saturday evening, after sorority and fraternity members spend the day in “breakout sessions” discussing the Greek system, said Rodriguez, a Communication senior. That set-up made for a long day, so this year information sessions will be held Feb. 1.
Students said they look forward to Gone Greek Night no matter when it’s held. During Friday’s serenading, Britt Frederiksen, a new member of Alpha Delta Pi, said she was excited for the party afterward at a bar and grill with other sororities and fraternities.
“The best part will be making guys dance,” said Frederiksen, a Weinberg freshman.
Chris Wake, incoming IFC vice president for public relations, said he enjoys Gone Greek Night for another reason: watching new members show off their vocal skills.
“The best part is seeing the new pledge class get out there and impress,” said Wake, a Weinberg junior and member of Pi Kappa Alpha. “I’m proud of the guys we have, and I’m looking forward to this year.”
