Celebrating Greek Life Community and Culture 

The 2024 Greek Yard Show was in full swing this past weekend at SUNY New Paltz. On Sept. 21, members of the various Greek life organizations gathered on the Student Union Concourse to celebrate their annual day of Greek culture and community. The Yard Show, which features lively group performances and choreographed dance routines, was hosted by the National Pan-Hellenic Council. 

From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., members of the organizations danced and laughed with their fellow students. Genesis Powell, a 2024 graduate of SUNY New Paltz, served as emcee for the day, hyping up the growing crowd in between performances. Powell, a graduate student currently studying for her master’s at New Paltz, was a member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority during her time as an undergraduate student.

The Chi Upsilon Sigma sorority kicked off the day’s performances with an energizing choreographed step routine. The organization is part of the National Latin Sorority, Inc. and was founded at Rutgers University in 1980. It was officially recognized in 1981 and the New Paltz chapter was established in April 2006. The group’s performance set the stage for what was to be a joyful rest of the day.

For many Greek life members, the Yard Show is an opportunity to bridge the gap between community and culture. Eliza Roy and Anabelle Mateo, members of the Sigma Lambda Upsilon sorority at New Paltz, felt that the day’s performances allowed students to learn more about their peers’ respective traditions. “What makes it so special to me is that everyone gets to come together in the show,” Roy explained. Mateo agreed, saying that the yard show is “rooted in [our] history, and that the step routine “has a lot to do with [our] roots.” Roy later participated in the group’s dance with her sorority sisters.

The Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship was among a few visiting Greek life organizations from other nearby schools. The fellowship was founded at Morgan State College in 1962 as an alternative to traditional mainstream black fraternities. Justin Berry, a Groove Phi Groove representative, said that the unity of the many groups was one of the highlights of the Yard Show. “Honestly, it’s basically like different organizations coming together, telling everyone about the organization to give everyone a different insight of what people go through,” Berry said. 

Greek life organizations from University at Albany, Marist College and New York University were also present at this year’s Yard Show.

New Paltz students cannot join a fraternity or sorority until their second year. The process of joining one of these organizations, known as “rushing,” can be a daunting idea to some. However, current members often encourage potential members to step outside of their comfort zone and attend rush events. “Go to events and see what they’re like and see if you connect with the people,” Kappa Delta Phi sorority member Emma Connolly said. 

Students interested in New Paltz’s Greek life opportunities can visit the Center for Student Engagement website to learn more.