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Greek groups gain attention at fair

Katie Longsdale, a freshman undeclared, visits an Alpha Phi booth to get information.

Eight-foot-tall vibrant Greek letters towered above dozens of recruitment booths Wednesday as Cal State Long Beach’s sorority and fraternity organizations hosted the second annual campus Greek Fair.

Color-coded T-shirts worn by some of the 34 Greek organizations at CSULB dotted the East Lawn for the majority of the afternoon. The scene resembled a bag of M&Ms with an added hue of pink.

Greek brothers and sisters laughed and joked in small clusters next to the sidewalk as other students walked past the booths, distracted by the primary colors or interested by the prospect of Greek life. Contact lists and the occasional inflatable toy adorned the booth tops, allowing each fraternity or sorority to display a little bit of its personality.

Caitlin Roberts, coordinator of Greek life at CSULB, said the fair has increased student awareness of “Rush Week,” a seven-day stretch of recruiting and recreational Greek activities held during the second week of classes.

Although not all of the organizations could take part in the fair, many of those holding national charters made an appearance.

As Roberts explained, Greek fraternities and sororities are organized into four groups: The Interfraternity Council Chapters, Panhellenic Chapters, National Pan-Hellenic Council Chapters and Cultural Greek Council Chapters, which are the only chapters not affiliated with a national or campus coordinating council.

Nick Nader, a senior communications major and president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, said his involvement and dedication to the Greek system stems from his positive experience.

“Cal State Long Beach is primarily a commuter campus,” Nader said. “Fraternities and sororities are a great way for students to get involved, stay on campus and strengthen the Greek community.”

Kevin Bradel, a sophomore communications major and Rush Week chairman for his fraternity, said that Sigma Alpha Epsilon was also a good outlet for recreation.

“It gives you a good balance,” Bradel said. “We host social events a couple times a year, have guest speakers and organize philanthropy projects. It’s a lot of fun and it’s like having 50 best friends right away.”

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