Both new and returning students can bond and meet new faces at Taylor Hall Courts, Friday.

Once again, the women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated are bringing a block party centered on the socializing of students.

Breanna Young, the vice president of the sorority, said the block party offers a chance for students to meet other registered student organizations that attend, network, and build solidarity around campus.

“The only time you come out of your dorm, doesn’t have to be to go to a party,” Young said.

Zeta Phi Beta does this event twice a year if the weather permits, Young said. Hillary Fuller, the secretary of the sorority, said being that it is the start of the year, the Zetas do not want to miss a chance to introduce themselves.

“Any organization pretty much has to introduce themselves to the campus, so this is our opportunity to that and also see old faces,” Fuller said.

The block party gives students more time to hang out and revive themselves from their first week of school, Fuller said. Mingling is not the only entity on the agenda, as the executive members said they hope to present an atmosphere that makes students want to come and stay.

Young said after seeing a picture of the differences between this year’s incoming freshman class and past years, those who are new need to feel welcomed. The picture showed a group of freshmen in a previous year forming the letters “EIU,” and this time around students made out just the “E” in EIU.

“It’s crazy how small the campus is getting,” Young said “It’s up to the leaders and groups on campus to get everyone together to keep EIU how it’s always been.”

Those on campus who have the ability to make the best out of any situation are vital at a time like this, Young said.

She said this is what the block party and other events that call for rubbing elbows do, they keep the campus welcoming and open. Fuller said students have to push to bring others out and together, because it helps hereafter.

“It’s important that we face these hardships together,” Fuller said. “We can all be in our own rooms, doing our own thing and ignoring the problem, but here we are trying to face it as a group, as one group.”

The sorority is not new to block party planning, and because this is their third year presenting it to campus, Young said sorting things out was fairly easy.  She said although getting a food permit and reserving a spot was a part of their checklist, organizing things came with little effort.

The evening of food, games and music will start at 5 p.m. and is free.

T’Nerra Butler can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].