Sorority and fraternity members are working on their dance moves, practicing their corn hole and brushing up on their trivia. No, it’s not summer break yet — it’s Greek Week.
The annual weeklong event puts groups of three or four Greek-lettered organizations into teams to compete for points in events throughout the week.
“There are two ways to earn points during Greek Week: by placing first, second or third in events or by participating in and attending the event,” Sorority Council Vice President of Programming Becca Brizzolara said. “The more members of your team that attend and participate in an event, the more points your team will earn.”
The festivities kicked off Monday with the Wheel of A’s, in which sorority and fraternity members showed proof of an “A” on an assignment and spun the wheel for the chance to win a variety of prizes, including koozies and Croakies, while gaining points for their respective teams.
Today’s main event is Gamecock Trivia, in which teams have the opportunity to outsmart their opponents on a particular theme, like 1990s or USC trivia.
The Greek Week Blood Drive will start at noon Wednesday. Donation trucks will be in front of Thomas Cooper Library and in the Greek Village, so students can donate at their convenience.
Wednesday night, students will have the opportunity to watch the documentary “Half the Sky,” which focuses on the oppression of women in different countries and what is being done to change it.
The highly anticipated Greek Sing will take place Thursday night at The Cockpit Park at 901 Brookwood Drive. Though no actual singing will occur, teams will act, dance and lip-synch in Disney-themed scenes.
The Greek Olympics will be at the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center fields Friday. Teams will compete in events a sponge pass, corn hole, a water balloon toss and relay races.
One event, the Greek Day of Service, has been canceled due to overwhelming volunteer turnout.
“We had so many volunteers, but no agencies in Columbia needed our help that day, and there is a USC Service Saturday as well,” said Brizzolara, a third-year management student.
The week will conclude Sunday with the Greek Awards, to be held in the Colonial Life Arena, where the champions of Greek Week will be crowned.
“The chapter that wins Greek Week will win the title of Greek Week 2013 Champions and will be recognized at the Greek Awards,” Brizzolara said. “They will also win the opportunity to gain local and national recognition, all while continuing a legacy of community participation that all of our organizations embody.”
And while the competition is friendly, Greek Week isn’t all about the games and points; it’s about coming together as a community, Brizzolara said.
“The purpose of Greek Week is to unite and support the fraternity and sorority community through fun and educational events,” Brizzolara said. “We’re promoting the four pillars of USC’s Fraternity and Sorority life: friendship, scholarship, leadership and service.”