Greek: Where we’ve been, and where we’re going

C.S. Lewis once said, “The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a
circle of those who are.” Students have always sought friendship, lifelong memories,
and guidance in their college experience, and students at CSM are no different.
Many seek to fill this requirement by joining Greek organizations. With most fraternities growing well past their centennial year, sororities well-established and thriving, and Mines Greek participation on the rise, it is difficult to imagine this school without the existence of these social organizations.

Most fraternities at CSM formed in the first decade of the twentieth century, at a time when the school was comprised almost exclusively of male students in the mineral industry. These students did not have much time to develop their organizations, though, as World War I soon broke out. During World War I and World War II, Mines looked much more like a military academy than an engineering college. It was known as “the West Point of the Rockies.” Student had a structured day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., in which most of their time was spent studying, practicing military drills, or exercising. Between these wars, CSM had a period of time to develop some interesting traditions, including the M-climb, the freshmen whitewashing of the CSM M.

However, it would take another war to redefine women’s role in the workplace and at Mines. After World War II ended, the number of women attending CSM increased greatly. Nine female students founded Alpha Delta in 1974, which became Sigma Kappa in 1980. Pi Beta Phi and Alpha Phi followed in 1986 and 2000 respectively. Sororities at Mines today, despite their somewhat recent establishment, have become so intertwined with campus culture that it feels as if these organizations have always been around.

On Friday, March 29, Greek Week will kick off with an Egg Hunt for the ages. Though it may sound playful, this will be no child’s sport. These Greek eggs (Greggs) will be hidden around campus and contain tickets for some fantastic prizes, to be given away at the All-Campus Greek Week Barbecue the next day (they contain candy too, for your inner child). The Greek Olympics will be held on the IM fields at 1:00 p.m. Saturday and the barbeque will be at 4:30 p.m. on the South IM Field. The barbecue is free and open to the community and will feature refreshments and a dirty word spelling bee. Prizes for the bee and raffle include Nuggets Tickets, $50 and $25 gift certificates, E-Days Packages, and more. Greek Week is a way for fraternities and sororities to connect with the campus community.