The sounds of music and laughter rattled the windows around the quad last Monday night as the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity kicked off their Iota week with a founder’s day barbecue.

According to current chapter president Cleveland Mouton III, the purpose of the week was to “promote Iota on the campus of ULM and let the students know we are present on campus.”

Many other NPHC fraternities and sororities turned out to support their fellow Greeks at the kick-off. It was not only a celebration for the Iota fraternity, but also a time of dancing, grilling and Greek unity.

“They’re real friendly and downto- earth guys,” Stormie Jones, junior mass communication major of Rayville, said of the Iotas. Jones is a member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority and was one of the many supportive Greeks in attendance.

When the sun went down, the mood got livelier as the members of different NPHC groups took turns strolling around the fountain to music provided by the host, Main Event Entertainment, LLC. Students passing by who saw what was going on were welcome to become a part of the event as well.

Monday’s barbecue was followed by a women’s self-defense class on Tuesday, a meeting for young men interested in joining Iota on Wednesday and a showing of the movie “School Daze” on Thursday.

On top of the activities that were planned, the Iotas made sure to provide some service and awareness for students. STD awareness pamphlets were made available at Monday’s barbecue and a hazing presentation accompanied the movie shown.

Recruiting is still an ongoing process for the Iotas, so it is not too late for those that are interested but missed the interest meeting.