It’s that time of year again.

Everybody calls it Dead Week, but many don’t know the story behind the creation of the week prior to Finals Week.

Dead Week, a Government of the Student Body creation, began about 25 years ago, said Associate Provost Edwin C. Lewis. He said in order to let students concentrate on academics, GSB asked student organizations to refrain from holding meetings.

But it said nothing about refraining from fun.

Greeks and residence hall residents alike offer a variety of activities outside of the study realm.

Although they are required to follow a designated set of rules, including 23 1/2 hours of quiet, on-campus residents prove the week doesn’t have to be all work and no play.

Rita Simon, a resident assistant in Towers, said the houses usually provide festivities each night during “rowdy half-hour,” the pause in quiet hours from 10-10:30 p.m.

She said her floor, Owens House in Wilson Hall, makes the most of the short study break by having egg and water balloon tosses, tie-dyeing and other indoor and outdoor activities.

Simon also said every residence hall supplies junk food for Sunday night’s “Snack Attack,” from 8-10 p.m. in the dining centers.

Chris Bloomquist, intramural executive for the Richardson Court Association, said projects such as “Silly Olympics” are a good break from academics.

“Studying gets old,” he said. “It’s a good time of the year to relieve some stress and have some fun before finals.”

RCA’s Silly Olympics, which take place Thursday and Friday from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m., pair up brother and sister floors for friendly competition.

Floors break into teams for tug-of-war, pie-eating contests and other games.

He said food and prizes will be provided, as well as a trophy for winning teams.

Other floors and houses have planned volleyball games and food and clothing drives. Friley Hall resident assistant Pam Tanksaid said her floor, Lorch-Russell, hosts pizza parties and shows movies in its lounge for its residents.

“These social activities give students a chance to have fun and take a break from studying,” she said.