First, the class of 2014 broke records with enrollment, now its only October and the class of 2014 is once again making history at the College. Three students, Peggy Olson ’14, Heather Wilcox ’14 and Henry Waldron ’14 are in the process of establishing a group called Cheta Eta Pi, the College’s first co-ed greek group or what the founders refer to as a “frarority.”
Olson, Wilcox and Waldron all wanted to be involved in Greek life when they first got to Wooster. “We wanted the social life and support that Greek life provides, but we didn’t want to be in a group of only girls or only guys,” said Wilcox. The group presented their idea of a co-ed greek group to Joe Kirk, the director of Greek Life, and found out it was an actual possibility. Kirk stated, “I know it may be hard for some to get their heads around the creation of a co-ed fraternity but they do exist in the country and some have been very successful and strong with a similar bond that exist with single sex Greek groups.”
Cheta Eta Pi will be looking for people to join who believe in the philosophy of the group by sharing a common interest in animals and promoting animal rights.† “We are going to volunteer at the Wayne County Humane Society for our off-campus hours,” explained Wilcox.
The group name also reflects the co-ed Greek group’s love for animals.† “We came up with ëCheta’ (like cheetah), not a Greek letter, but we thought it was a clever way of incorporating the animal theme into our greek letters,” Wilcox continued, “we then discovered the ëEta Pi’ combination of Greek letters and just had to use it.”
The founders admitted to getting mixed reviews on campus when they first started up the co-ed Greek group. “At first we were facing a good amount of opposition to our idea, but we weren’t about to give up on it,” explained Wilcox. “We often woke up to an angry email or two telling us we shouldn’t do it because people thought it was a joke, or because it didn’t fit in, or just because we were freshmen.”† Not only were there angry e-mails, but the group also experienced opposition when their original rush flyers were torn down.
In order for a group to be recognized on campus as a chartered organization, they must create a constitution and have it approved by Student Activities. Currently, Cheta Eta Pi is in the process of completing their constitution.† It usually takes about seven months after the constitution has been turned in for a charter to be approved. Since the group cannot hold formal rushes until they are approved, they are currently holding informational sessions for those who are interested or just curious in the group. “We don’t have any rushes planned right now,” said Wilcox, ” but when we do people will know.”
Kirk has now met with the three founders multiple times to review what needs to be done in order for Cheta Eta Pi to be a recognized part of Greek life at Wooster. “I don’t want a group that will embarrass [Greek Life] or mock us in any way, so I tend to have long conversations with [any potential] group regarding their purpose and the seriousness of their interest,” said Kirk “There are no short cuts to being part of this community.”
Although it may not be an easy road ahead, Kirk believes the founders of Cheta Eta Pi fully understand what they are undertaking.† At this point, the group is willing to put in all of the hard work it takes to create a Greek group on campus and fulfill the necessary requirements. According to Wilcox, most of the opposition has died down at this point. “A lot of people are really excited about getting involved in it and helping us establish it.”