A longstanding tradition that pairs fraternities with sororities in a little friendly competition gets under way Monday (March 29) at West Virginia University.

Even Hollywood is getting involved for this year’s traditional week that celebrates Greek life through social, sporting and philanthropic activities. Television actress Kim Webster, a 1994 WVU theater graduate and Alpha Xi Delta alumna, will be in Morgantown to talk about AIDS awareness while taking part in various campus activities.

Greek Week is very important to WVU because the Greek system is a great way to exhibit the diversity in the University,said Arianna Orpello.Greeks do a lot for this campus which sometimes goes unnoticed. For example, there are a large number of Greeks in student government, and a large percentage participate in multiple campus activities.

Orpello said eight sororities and 13 fraternities will take part in Greek Week.

The week kicks off Monday with a Greek pride banner contest. Sororities will hang decorated banners on each of their houses. Judging begins at 4 p.m.

Another popular competition, the Greek Games, gets started at 5 p.m. Tuesday on the Mountainlair Plaza green with fraternities and sororities participating in games of Tug-of-War, Dizzy Izzy, the Egg Toss and a hot pepper eating contest.

That evening, Webster, who portraysGingerin the Emmy-winning NBC drama,The West Wing,will speak about AIDS and its impact on families at 7 p.m. at the Metropolitan Theatre in Morgantown. This event is open to the public.

Webster is a national spokeswoman for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. She has an adopted brother with AIDS , and her visit coincides with WVU ’s observances of international Health Action AIDS week. She’ll also be assisting the University during its Building Greatness capital campaign celebration.

Throughout the week, Alpha Phi Omega will be sponsoring anUgly Man on Campuscompetition. Each Greek team will submit a funny photo, and students are being asked to donate pennies in the Mountainlair for their favoriteugly man.Proceeds will benefit The Shack Neighborhood House.

Activities wrap up at 5 p.m. Thursday with Orpello’s favorite event, the air band competition, on the Lair green.

I am always amazed by how talented my Greek peers are,she said.The competitiveness is also great, and the teams will work on these dances for a month in advance. The crowd is always the largest for this event.