The annual weekend of reunion of Family Weekend is upon us, giving UA students the opportunity to share their college campus and school pride with visiting family members.
Many members of Greek Life choose to incorporate their parents into their normal weekend routine, taking them to a fraternity or Dirtbag’s. While that might seem absurd it’s not uncommon during Family Weekend.
During this weekend, the parent population on campus will have shot through the roof. Many fraternity and sorority chapters have paired together for events during Family Weekend, with students and parents from both chapters participating in the weekend’s activities. On Friday, Pi Kappa Alpha and Alpha Phi will kick off the weekend with a bowling event at a local alley for the chapters’ members and parents. Saturday’s tailgate activities will consist of a barbecue at the fraternity house, and a tailgate where both chapters’ parents are free to partake in the celebration before the football game against Washington.
Mark Tom, a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, reflected upon past Family Weekend activities.
“A lot of parents like to show up to the tailgates and play beer pong,” he said. “The parents and kids usually make their own teams. Some of them get pretty competitive. Some parents are a little awkward and don’t really know what to do, but others don’t have any problem tailgating with their kids and end up having a really good time.”
Students who are of drinking age often enjoy introducing their parents to their favorite bars. Some chapters prefer to welcome the families without collaborating with others but still plan to celebrate with a feast and activities for the students and parents.
Jared Schenkman, a member of Sigma Alpha Mu said that he will definitely be tailgating with his parents through his fraternity chapter’s activities, but also plans on taking them for a night out on the town.
“I’m pretty excited to introduce my parents to Dirtbag’s,” he said. “This isn’t like high school when I didn’t want my parents to visit me at school. Showing them how I enjoy spending my time is something that can be pretty special.”
As a formal Friday event, Sigma Kappa sorority has planned a special function dedicated to its newest members, cordially inviting all members and their parents to the J. W. Marriott Starr Pass for its annual New Member Presents. This elegant evening consists of heartwarming speeches and dinner, focusing the attention on introducing the newest members and their families to the Sigma Kappa experience. This event encourages a bonding experience outside the realm of the university campus in the beautiful foothills of Tucson.
Whether parents choose to party at the fraternities, visit hot spots around campus or participate in special formal occasions, they are sure to enjoy every bonding experience organized by the university and the Greek Life chapters in this year’s Family Weekend celebrations.
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