Gee, I guess I was told. Now it's my turn.
As expressed in Mike Besack's column two weeks ago, the anti-Greek sentiment still thrives on this campus.
Yes, we evil social icons who have to "pay for friends" do nothing but leech off this university. Come on Besack, get some new material.
If you were to remove all Greeks from Long Beach State sporting events, I bet there would be close to no one in the stands or sidelines (including some very important staff and administrators on campus who became Greeks when they were students). I would estimate that a majority of the students in the student section in The 'Mid is Greek.
In addition, the gentlemen who created the concept of "Pyramid Heads" were alumni of the Sigma Pi fraternity. But, as Besack points out, we must finish this "state of the art" arena before we fund any Greek housing. Too bad we cannot even fill the seats in The 'Mid with fans as it stands now.
By the way, Besack, I think you need to check your sources. No university money is being used to develop or create a Greek housing project. Yes, the university is looking into leasing the golf course behind the Veteran's Hospital for a Greek Row.
However, this project is still in the development stages and has, as of yet, to receive go ahead from the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Cal State University system.
And why are you so intimidated by a Greek Row on campus? Is it because it might establish Long Beach State in the same league as UCLA or USC even though we lack a football team?
Is it because it would foster unprecedented school spirit by allowing involved and motivated students to live on campus and attend our sporting events, Kaleidoscope, Greek Week and other school events?
Or is it simply because you are jealous, Mike, because you are one of those guys who went through rush and never got a bid? That's OK, Mike. You instantly remind me of the Greek T-shirt that said: "Join us now, or work for us later."
And now for those critics who once again feel I have tainted the white canvas that is the Greek image.
First off, don't be ashamed we know how to party and infrequently have a drink or two. Don't deny it, just accept it.
Secondly, don't come whining to me or the Daily Forty-Niner about some false impression I've created in one column about formals after I've written 10 positive, albeit boring, columns in praise of philanthropies and Greeks of the Week.
The ignorance of some students is evidenced by their inability to discern satire and sarcasm. Now I understand why, in every class I've taken, professors have to explain how to develop a simple thesis statement and write an essay in their syllabi on the first day of class.
Now on to our wonderful Interfraternity Council elections for 1998. The continued expansion of the Greek system will be under the skillful leadership of the new Interfraternity Executive Council.
Robert Garcia from Delta Chi will be our next president. And, yes, your dreams came true, yours truly will take on the duties of vice president. Hailing from Sigma Pi, Brian Derot will be our treasurer and Jonathan Goebel our new director of communication. Ben Sonnonsteine of Sigma Alpha Epsilon is director of educational programming ( a new position). Once again, Casey Sletten from Sigma Chi will be director of athletics (I hope his computer doesn't break down as much as it did last year!).
Congrats to all those elected. See next week's column for next yearŐs new Panhellenic representatives.
Geoff Ensley is the Interfraternity Council public relations director.