While getting adapted to college life, the average newcomer’s ear may tingle at the mention of one semi-annual campus event: V.I.S.I.O.N.S.
Last Thursday, the Office of Diversity and Cultural Affairs sponsored the event, which stands for Various Illustrations Sharing and Informing about New Organizations to New Students. Various groups showed up to promote their groups last week in the Ferguson Social Sciences building auditorium.
Many of those attending didn’t know what the event was about. Others believed it to be simply a step show.
“V.I.S.I.O.N.S. is not a step show,” Jack Duffie, of Kappa Alpha Phi, said. “People have failed to see the true purpose of Greek life. We do much more than step; we are mainly involved in Community Service past this campus and beyond just Commerce.”
Duffie said the event is more than simply “whooping and hollering.”
“Dedication to an organization’s purpose and principles is what really counts,” he said. “You have to have an initiative to want to make a positive difference in society someway, somehow. V.I.S.I.O.N.S. is much more than a step show.”
Sophomore Aja Rose explained V.I.S.I.O.N.S. was the event that made her time in college worthwhile.
“I was overwhelmed during my first experience at V.I.S.I.O.N.S.,” she said.
Duffie said people should know that although the event is fun, Greek life should be about more than having a good time.
“Yes, the stepping is fun, but Greek life is not all about fun. If the stepping were removed from V.I.S.I.O.N.S. , people would not attend,” Duffie said. “My advice to the newcomers is, look at every organization and focus on what they have to offer you and your community, because being in any organization will help you later on in life.”
While students walked around, taking in the displays of the groups and organizations. The various sororities and fraternities touted campus life as one of unity, respect and discipline.