From pyramid building at the Greek Olympics to community service projects at a local retirement home, Iowa State greeks will stay busy during this year’s Greek Week activities.

Greek Week 1997, “Celebrating the Tradition of Unity,” kicks off today with members from ISU’s 30 fraternities and 16 sororities taking part in community service projects, tournaments and social activities, said Karrie Heaberlin, Greek Week general co-chair.

“Greek Week is time for greek system members to spend a week celebrating their organizations through community service and other social activities,” added Robin Shaffer Lilienthal, greek affairs coordinator and Greek Week adviser.

Lilienthal said there is an emphasis on community service projects during Greek Week. Heaberlin said a pairing, made up of members from two fraternities and one sorority, will work on one of 15 different projects throughout the week, including activities with the Boys and Girls Club of Ames and the Green Hills Retirement Home.

VESPERS, the greek system’s annual awards ceremony held tonight, will feature speaker Dave Westall, executive director of the national Theta Chi Fraternity.

The Greek Man and Woman of the Year, as well as a Greek President of the Year from fraternities and sororities will be presented. Chapter recognition awards will also be given.

A new event this year, an All-Greek formal with a casino night, will take place Friday at 9 p.m. in the Memorial Union’s Great Hall.

“We organized the formal so we could do something different and bring unity for all the houses,” Heaberlin said.

Organizers have also planned another event for all greeks — a “Night on the Town” at Campustown bars on Thursday from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Heaberlin said anyone 19 or older can go to Tazzles, Lumpy’s, Dean’s List and People’s Bar and Grill for one $5 cover charge.

Throughout the week, greeks will participate in tournaments, with events like coed soccer games and bowling competitions

On Saturday, greek system members will try their luck again — this time competing against other paired groups at the Greek Olympics.

Overall winners for the tournaments and Greek Olympics will be announced at the Delta Zeta triangle on March 27 at 7 p.m.

The Spring Blood Drive, one component of Greek Week, will take place March 24-28 in the Great Hall.