University of Iowa greeks will participate in “Do it in the Dark” this month as part of a challenge to lower their energy bill and increase their knowledge of sustainability.

The challenge marks the first collaboration between the University of Iowa Student Government and greek life at Iowa, said Kelsey Zlevor, the UISG sustainability liaison.

The challenge started Monday, and it will run through April 20. The house that reduces its energy bill by the highest percentage will receive a $250 award to its philanthropy, as well as a nonalcoholic celebration at the Airliner, 22 S. Clinton St.

The idea of the challenge began with former Panhellenic Council member Kelsie Christian. In her position as vice president of leadership and education last year, she said she saw a lack of effort concerning sustainability among the greeks.

“On our final reports, I came across an area that concerned environmental responsibility, and I realized that our greek community was lacking in that aspect,” Christian said. “I saw an opportunity to create awareness.”

She contacted Zlevor and began working closely with her to bring the challenge to greek life with the help of UISG.

The effort was primarily student-driven, said Leslie Schacht, the coordinator for fraternity and sorority life.

Eleven greek houses are participating in the challenge — five fraternities and six sororities.

“I think it’s going to be basic, minor things, but they’ll make a cumulative thing at the end,” Zlevor said. “Unplugging laptops and phone chargers — I think these are things we can get in the habit of doing, and if everybody does, it can make a drastic change over the long run.”