Following the recent trend for organizations to "go green," K-State greek houses recently began competing in a contest called Ecolymipcs, matching houses against each other to see who can come out on top in a game of sustainability.

Ecolympics started March 1 and will last until the end of the month. Ecolympics is a point-based competition for saving energy, conserving water and increasing recycling, among other activities.

Houses have the opportunity to earn points by saving percentages on power and water, starting recycling programs, conducting all-house blackouts and attending the Ecolympics events.

The competition is broken up into a fraternity division, which has 14 houses participating and a sorority division, which includes all 11 houses.

Michael Bell, student director of sustainability, brought the idea of the Ecolympics — which originated at Duke University and Oberlin College — to K-State.

The competition is the first of its kind to come to the Big 12 Conference.

"I am pleased with what I've heard some of the houses are doing so far," said Bell, senior in architectural engineering.

Greek houses campus-wide have been turning off lights, starting recycling programs and bringing in guest speakers to talk about sustainability to help turn green and rack up points for the contest. Heather Kuhn, environmental chair for Delta Delta Delta sorority and sophomore in architecture, said members of the house have even posted notes on light switches in the hallways to remind residents to turn off the lights.

"Everyone's doing it — everyone's really pitching in," said Kuhn, who says she is optimistic of her house's chances to win.

The contest's winners will be announced at the competition's closing ceremonies from 2 to 5 p.m. April 4 at Sunset Zoological Park. The winners will receive a trophy for this year's Ecolympics and a traveling trophy that will be passed to future year's winners.

K-State's Students for Education and Empowerment of Living Green Campaign, the sponsor of the competition, started in summer 2008 after the university received a D+ on its College Sustainability Report Card in 2008.

The grade spurred the creation of the Student Sustainability Coalition. The SEE Green Campaign is working in tandem with Student Governing Association as well as environmental groups to help K-State's campus get involved in becoming more sustainable.

"A lot of people were shocked at how poorly the university was operating," said Ryan Dietrich, president of the Student Sustainability Coalition.

Deitrich, senior in landscape architecture, is also a member of the Ecolympics rules and judging committee.

The 2009 report card gave K-State a C grade in sustainability, but Dietrich and Bell said they still see room for improvement. Using the Ecolympics as a footstep, the Student Sustainability Coalition and SEE Green Campaign hope to see K-State become more sustainable.

"The larger goal is the promotion of a sustainable lifestyle," Dietrich said. "It's really about education."