By Monir Khilla—

We don’t know who it is, but apparently someone in the NJCU Admissions Department decided that the best way to show off the school during the April 21st Open House was to throw all the clubs into the corner. This genius also decided that NJCU’s main showcase should be our Greek Organizations.

The first thing incoming students and parents saw when they came into GSUB was a long slew of Greek Organizations. There was nothing showcasing our honor societies, our other clubs, or our financial aid office – you know, the things parents actually want to see when they come into an institution of higher education. They even gave the “best spot” to a Greek Organization and not some sort of help desk.

Now, with all due respect, our Admissions department works hard and has a dedicated staff who are constantly trying to recruit new students. But they’re stupid. We don’t know what image NJCU is trying to send to parents and new students, but it may have gone something like this: “Hey, we’re (not) a party school, but check out our Greeks.”

The setup was absolutely disrespectful to all the hard working clubs and organizations on campus. They were pushed into the ends of the hallway, left alone in their empty tables of obscurity. Some felt neglected, bored, and unimportant. NJCU validated those feelings with a slap on the face added to it. Our academic departments and other departments were stuffed into the multipurpose room like sardines. Way to fail, NJCU.

Our spineless SGO didn’t stand up for these clubs and organizations, despite claiming to “represent” them. As a matter of fact, half of them are members of Greek organizations and enjoyed a front row table next to their friends.

There is plenty of blame to go around for the disrespect shown to the clubs and organizations: the school, SGO, and Greeks are all at fault.

What’s sadder is the fact that this was expected. Every “Club” Day – and I use that title loosely- every Spring Festival, and every Open House ends up almost exactly the same. They all turn into “Meet the Greeks.”

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am part of a Greek Organization and understand that Greeks do represent a number of students on campus; they have every right to have their own event. However, not every event is a Greek event. During “Club” Day, the legitimate clubs were pushed up against the wall, as Greeks danced in victory in front of the DJ stand. The Spring Festival turned into another outdoor Meet the Greeks, with all the clubs being pushed in front of traffic on Audubon avenue. Open House was no exception.

Greeks have no right to be at “Club” Day – they’re not even part of the SGO Council. Furthermore, Clubs aren’t allowed at Meet the Greeks, so why are Greeks allowed at their events? SGO continues to waste money by catering to the needs of Greeks and not the clubs. They subject all the clubs on council to their finance meetings, president’s meetings, and their boring council meetings. They then immediately turn around and ignore their requests for co-sponsorship, cut funding from the clubs, and lie to them about monetary transactions. When the clubs show up to the events they pay for, they find their tables facing the corners and their spots taken by uninvited Greeks.

What Greeks, SGO, and NJCU need to do is learn to respect our clubs and organizations. Showcase them when they need to be showcased. Let them have their events without Greek interference.

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