Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. is offering students a chance to get involved in its nationally recognized week.
Events are planned daily on campus to promote Alpha Week.
Ryan Banks, Alpha Phi Alpha president, said he feels the timing of the week is perfect.
"This week is going to be a great opportunity for students to get involved," he said. "With the week being right after Spring Break, this is giving everyone a fresh start and something different to do."
Banks said he is excited the local chapter will be participating in the week for the first time since they were re-activated in April 2004.
Alpha is the first National Pan-Hellenic Council to sponsor Alpha Week this semester. Each NPHC organization has its own week to promote their chapter both locally and nationally.
Other NPHC organizations joined Alpha Phi Alpha Monday night in a Yard Step Show in the Memorial Student Center to kick off the rest of the week.
"People came out and supported us," Banks said. "I think it really got them interested in the rest of the week."
The fraternity also sponsored a bowling tournament last night at Imperial Lanes.
Other events during the week include a movie night tonight in the Don Morris Room of the MSC at 7 p.m., a Black Party tomorrow in Marcos Lounge in the MSC at 8 p.m. where all are asked to wear black attire, an Alpha display in the MSC lobby Friday during the day and an Ice Cold Cophee House in Marcos Lounge at 7:30 p.m., and a Ms. Black and Gold Pageant in the Don Morris Room Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Banks said the use of a different spelling for the word coffee in the Ice Cold Cophee House is to stress the name of the fraternity, Alpha "Phi" Alpha. This event will consist of people singing and poetry readings.
All events, except the Ms. Black and Gold Pageant, are free to the public. Pageant tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Advanced tickets can be purchased by contacting members of the fraternity through the Greek Affairs office.
Rashad Sanders, Alpha Phi Alpha member, said the pageant is the big event the fraternity planned for the week.
"We [the fraternity] have 14 contestants in the pageant who are competing for scholarship money as well as for a position to represent Marshall's chapter in the West Virginia regional conference," he said. " This is definitely a big deal for our fraternity."
The contestants include 13 Marshall students and one West Virginia State student. Contestants will compete in formal wear, swim wear and a talent portion.
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