THE CARROLL NEWS: Editorial: Greek Week Restrictions

Editorial: Greek Week Restrictions
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staff on 23 April, 2008 04:10:00
 
Last week, all JCU Greek organizations participated in one of the most popular
and entertaining events on campus all year, Greek Week Lip Sync. Although Greek
Week continues to be a successful annual event, several restrictions were
applied to the participating groups. While some of the rules were understandable
in order to ensure a safe and fair competition, other restrictions went too far,
forcing many groups to revamp their performances. Those involved in moderating
Greek Week need to reconsider what types of rules need to be enforced and which
ones do little more than restrict the creativity, personality and humor of
sororities and fraternities.
Before the night of the lip sync, all Greek Week chapters were required to have
their 10-minute shows previewed and approved by a committee.
Also, participants were not allowed to wear suggestive clothing, use food on
stage or stereotype other groups. All of these rules are understandable and
appropriate because students needed to be respectful not only to others, but
also Kulas Auditorium.
However, many of the rules restricted groups from having harmless aspects
involved with their performances. Groups were only allowed to use songs that
were completely clean of expletives. Moreover, they couldn’t use songs
that even vaguely alluded to anything considered “inappropriate.”
Today, it’s hard to find music that is completely clean.  Most of the
popular songs on the radio are either hip-hop or rap and filled with references
to drinking, sex or drugs.
Groups were also not allowed to have anything fall from the stage or throw
things into the crowd (not even confetti), or else they’d be disqualified
from the competition. One fraternity was disqualified during the talent show for
throwing a hat off stage. Another group wasn’t allowed to make reference
to a popular local taxi cab service during lip sync.
Because there were so many rules and they were constantly changing,
fraternities and sororities had a difficult time keeping up with what was and
was not legal.
While some restrictions are great and needed, those responsible for
implementing Greek Week policies should consider dispersing the manual that lays
out the ground rules of the event to everyone involved.
This would help to eliminate confusion and vagueness. Also it would help people
regulating the event to focus more on important rules dealing with safety rather
than trying to crack down on the smallest, minor details.