After being delayed by a brief, monstrous storm Monday evening, Greek Week has much more in store for eager Greeks and nonGreeks for the duration of the week.

The activities will commence Tuesday evening through the end of the week across campus.

A combination of tug-of-war, slam dunk contests, egg tosses, a karaoke session and a canned food castle building contest will engulf the campus this week as Greeks celebrate their community and status.

Adam Compton, a sophomore in construction engineering and management and member of Greek Week’s publicity committee, emphasized the opportunity for excitement that both Greek and nonGreek students will experience this week on campus.

“It will be similar to a field day in elementary school,” he said.

Although there will be a plethora of games and sporting events, Chris Mangieri, the president of the Interfraternity Council, explained that the purpose of most of the events is to show what Greek Life is all about.

“Greek Week is to show people that we are not about stereotypes,” he said. “Our events will be geared more towards showing our values.”

Compton indicated that although Greek Week is held every year, this year is going to be much different than those of the past.

“This is the first year that all four Greek umbrella groups — the Collaborative Greek Council, the Interfraternity Council, the National Panhellenic Council and the Panhellenic Association — are coming together to do one Greek Week,” Compton said.

Andrea Atwell, the Panhellenic Association president, said this is the first year that the NPHC and CGC are being incorporated into Greek Week and that both groups played part in event planning.

Compton explained that the umbrella groups are doing it this way so they can unify the Greek community.

He said the groups came to this decision after their leaders went on a retreat together.

According to Compton, a lot of the Greek Week activities will be held on main campus this year to get nonGreek students more involved.

“This is so the average nonGreek student can see what’s going on,” he said. “Greek Life can have a bad perception on campus and this is to show students what Greek Life is all about.”

He added that one of Greek Life’s main focus through this year’s events is to build relationships and meet more people within the Greek community and also to meet nonGreek students.

“We are trying to get a unified Greek community to step out and get nonGreeks involved,” he said. “In the past, Greek Week has been strictly focused towards the Greek community.”

Mangieri emphasized that nonGreeks are welcome to watch all events and are encouraged to participate in the date auction in the Talley Ballroom at 7 p.m. Wednesday and another cookout Wednesday evening at Harris Field to benefit Orphan Rescue, an organization geared toward adopting orphans overseas. The cost is five dollars per plate.

Atwell stressed a joint effort being held Friday between Greek Life and Compassion in Action in the form of a concert.

“Mission: Mardi Gras will be held Friday at Mission Valley shopping center,” she said.

She added that everyone is welcome to see the show.

Compton explained that the events vary from fun and games to service projects and canned food drives, such as the one being held during the canned food castle building competition in the Brickyard on Tuesday starting at 11 a.m.

He noted that some of the activities will provide the opportunity for students to have some lighthearted fun before exams.

“This will be the last break before exams,” he said. “This is a great time to go out and have fun. There is an egg toss. You haven’t done that since elementary school and it is a good time to reminiscence.”

Atwell stressed the mission of Greek Week.

“Greek Week allows us to capitalize on everything we incorporate — philanthropic activities, services and brotherhood and sisterhood,” Atwell said.

Mangieri echoed Atwell’s thoughts on the week’s goals.

“We are trying to paint a more realistic picture of Greek Life through Greek Week,” Mangieri said.