Meet the Greeks at Kean University

Meet the Greeks is an event that takes place at Kean University where students, even prospective ones are encouraged to attend and find a sorority or fraternity that suits them. Same as last year, the event took place in Kean’s own Harwood Arena on Sept. 12, from 5-10 p.m.

Vice President of Programming, Gabriella Lapointe, was one of the key players involved in setting up the event. She explained that all of the proceeds from the event would be going towards “KDM” (Kean Dance Marathon), a twelve hour dance marathon that raises money for the Children’s Specialized Hospital, located in Mountainside, NJ.

As a member of the sorority, Delta Phi Epsilon, Lapointe noted that they are the “only international sorority on campus” (having chapters in both the U.S. and Canada). They also have “the most community service hours as an organization on campus.”

The gym inside of the arena was littered with tables, each one dedicated to a specific fraternity/sorority. Students from all walks of life were there in attendance and asking questions at the many tables trying to find the right fit for themselves. One table even gave away lollipops to prospective members.

Phi Beta Sigma. Photo Courtesy of Dan Papa.

Luis Castaneda of Lambda Sigma Upsilon explained that most of the fraternities and sororities each have their own signature “moves,” if you will.

“Our ancestors could not talk, they had to communicate through dances and body movement, especially in times of enslavement,” said Castaneda.

Their “move” is called “strolling,” and they do it in support of their ancestors.

A representative of sorority Sigma Beta Chi said they are “about standing out as individuals, but standing together for causes that matter.” She also shared a cause close to her heart, a story about one of their sisters who recently lost their life waiting on a transplant list.

“We all come from very diverse backgrounds, very different walks of life, but we still stand together for the things that matter to us, like sisterhood and support,” the Sigma Beta Chi representative said.

Femon Padmore of Phi Beta Sigma said his fraternity opens doors for members, but “you still have to apply yourself and make yourself marketable just like everybody else.” He also spoke about how he was on the path to becoming an attorney, but he as to “keep his grades up” and “have a great networking system with people who are in that field.”

Recently, New Jersey’s Monmouth University decided to suspend all fraternities/sororities indefinitely after issues with underage drinking, hazing, and drug use became more and more apparent. According to an online News12 New Jersey article from Sept. 7, last year, Timothy Piazza, a “19-year-old from Hunterdon County died at a fraternity party after he was injured in afd fall at a fraternity party. He was a Beta Theta Pi pledge who was forced to drink dangerous amounts of alcohol during a hazing ritual.” Aside from the fatal incident, the indefinite suspension might also have been introduced as a lesson for students to re-examine the importance of fraternities and sororities.

Students who are interested in Greek Life can find more information about each Greek letter organization at the Center for Leadership and Service, located in Miron Student Center, room 219, or visit Cougar Link.