Welcome to Recruitment 2015! As the President of Panhellenic, I speak on behalf of the entire council when I say, “Welcome to the Tech family!” Coming to Tech will prove to be one of the best decisions you will ever make. Now it’s time to make another great decision, the decision to join sorority life! As you learn more about Tech, you will soon discover that sorority women stand out on this campus. We are involved in campus organizations, we cheer on the Bulldawgs at sporting events, and we repeatedly fill the President’s List with our high scholastic achievement. Sorority life encourages you to make the most of your college experience and helps you to make that possible. Joining one of our four sisterhoods will provide you with endless benefits, not only throughout your college years, but also for the many years to follow. Greek life comes with great pride. Our women value scholarship, community service, campus involvement, and social activities. Greek women are held to a high academic standard. Our sorority women consistently achieve a GPA above the all-women’s grade point average. Community service is another valued area of Greek life. All of our women raise money and volunteer their time for charitable causes. Each sorority raises over $20,000 for their philanthropy each year. Greek women are involved on campus in other organizations as well. The social aspect of sorority life is another great benefit. Each house has formals, theme parties, sisterhood nights and exchanges with different fraternities. We can’t wait for you to become a part of our Greek Bulldawg Family! Panhellenic is looking forward to an exciting year filled with fun events. Some of the events include Greek Week, supporting Tech athletics, Fiesta on the Lane, Fall recruitment, and Women’s Week! Joining a sorority will definitely be the best decision you will make during your college career. Go Dawgs! Go Greek! Claire 2015 Panhellenic President Louisiana Tech Panhellenic Council 1 Dear Potential New Member It is my pleasure as Panhellenic Advisor to welcome you, Class of 2019, to Louisiana Tech University. It no doubt was your commitment to high standards, devotion to academic success and dedication to excellence that led to your acceptance into the Tech Family! I applaud your decision to become a Bulldog and learn more about Louisiana Tech by engaging in Sorority Recruitment. In the upcoming days, you will have the opportunity to meet women from the sisterhoods of Alpha Chi Omega, Kappa Delta, Phi Mu and Sigma Kappa. Each group has members who exemplify characteristics such as integrity, leadership, loyalty and pride; tenets that all students should possess upon graduation from Louisiana Tech University. As you go through this week, each chapter will invite you to learn more about the Greek system, their philanthropic commitments, the unique sisterhood activities they offer, and their devotion to scholarship and leadership opportunities - all which will allow for the development of your character. It will be important for you to learn as much as you can about each chapter and her members so that you may best align yourself with an organization that compliments those values for which you were chosen to attend Louisiana Tech. It will be a fun week, full of memories that you will remember for the rest of your life! Enjoy yourself and all the engaging women you will encounter! Most important, stay true to your personal values throughout this process! The Panhellenic Council and I will be available to help you every step of the way. So good luck, have fun and welcome to Louisiana Tech University! Go Dawgs! Sincerely, Ashley Allen, LPC Panhellenic Advisor aallen@latech.edu 318-257-4730 Dear New Bulldogs It’s is my privilege to welcome you to Panhellenic Recruitment 2015! I am excited to have you here and to have you interested in Greek life. You’re about to experience 4 of the most memorable days of your time at Louisiana Tech. I hope you’ll enjoy these 4 days and make new friends, new memories, and new sisters in the process. So come take an adventure with us and explore the wonderful possibilities of recruitment! Sincerely, Haley 2nd Vice President - Recruitment 2 Panhellenic Creed We, as undergraduate members of women’s fraternities, stand for good scholarship, for guarding of good health, for maintenance of fine standards, and for serving, to the best of our ability, our college community. Cooperation for furthering fraternity life, in harmony with its best possibilities, is the ideal that shall guide our fraternity activities. We, as fraternity Women, stand for service throughout the development of character inspired by the close contact and deep friendship of the individual fraternity and Panhellenic life. The opportunity for wide and wise human service through mutual respect and helpfulness is the tenet by which we strive to live. The Louisiana Tech Panhellenic Council The Panhellenic Council is the governing body of all four sororities at Louisiana Tech. The council is made up of representatives from all four individual chapters. Panhellenic facilitates the relationship between the sororities and the community. Panhellenic supports and commends excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, athletics, and community service. As a governing body, Panhellenic is responsible for adopting and enforcing certain rules and standards of behavior for all women in the Greek system. We believe that the highest level of trust should exist between the chapters in order to ensure the Panhellenic spirit exists on our campus. As a council, we attempt to achieve this goal by holding unity charity and social events such as Halloween Bash, Christmas on the Lane, progressive dinners, unity fellowships, and open lodge social events. Panhellenic Council also strives to unite with two other Greek Organizations on campus; the National Panhellenic Council (NPHC) and the Interfraternity Council (IFC). Events such as Greek Week, Homecoming Week, Unity Step Show, and Tech athletic events provide the opportunity to strengthen the purpose of the Greek system on the Louisiana Tech campus and within the Ruston community. 3 2015 Panhellenic Council Top Row from Left: Bailey; Panhellenic Delegate, Lauren; Treasurer, Anna Rose; Secretary, Morgan; Social Chair, Molly; Panhellenic Delegate Second Row from Left: Haley; 2nd Vice President-Recruitment Chair, Claire; President, Chelsea; Gamma Chi Director, Eva; Panhellenic Delegate Bottom Row from Left: Maegan; Assistant Social, Taylor; Panhellenic Delegate, Cricket; Scholarship/PR, Meg; 1st Vice President, Brittany; Assistant Recruitment 4 2015 Recruitment Counselors A recruitment counselor or Gamma Chi is a junior or senior member of a sorority who disaffiliated from her chapter for the purpose of assisting those who are participating in the recruitment process. She is paired with another sorority member to counsel a group of potential new members. These Gamma Chis answer questions and guide the potential new members. They have been selected and trained to help you, but they can’t make your decisions for you! Top Row From the Left: Jenny, Taylor, Amanda, Katie, Ellen, Catherine, Leslie, Taylor, Whitney Front Row From the Left: Taylor, Sari, Chesney, Maggie, Emily, Hannah, Hannah, Camille, Caitlin, Casey, Hannah, Cassidy, Paige, Shelby, Gabby 5 Why It’s Great To Be Greek Being Greek Means You’re Part Of A Great Tradition! In all areas of business and government, there are outstanding men and women who are very proud of their Greek affiliations. Greek organizations teach priceless skills. A sorority chapter is actually a learning laboratory where one can gain the skills that are necessary and highly valuable in today’s changing world. You gain leadership skills, time management assistance, and you learn to be a better team player. As a Greek, you will share ties with such famous women as Dr. Condoleezza Rice, the former U.S. Secretary of State; Kathleen Blanco, former Governor of Louisiana; Linda Dowdy, creator of the children’s show Barney; and Jerri Mock, the first woman aviator to fly successfully around the world. Being Greek Means High Academic Standards! On the Louisiana Tech campus, Greeks are held to high standards both academically and socially. Consistently, the sororities have a higher grade point average than the average for non-Greek women on campus. We focus on our studies and mentor one another. Study groups within the chapters also help. Our class attendance is very high, and scholarship is the highest priority in sororities. Being Greek Means Giving Back To The Community! While Greeks enjoy a well-rounded social life, that’s far from the most important part of sorority life. A sorority presents many opportunities for involvement on campus and in the community. You are guaranteed to have a full life in every area. Among the most important activities are those that focus on philanthropic causes. Each sorority has a local philanthropy in addition to supporting their national philanthropy. All Greeks participate in the Big Event, the SGA Community Service project to assist the people of Ruston with projects at their homes. They also participate in blood drives, canned food drives, and many other projects involving worthy causes in the area. Since the Greeks are known for their philanthropic works, they are often called upon by the community to assist in various ways, and they always respond. Being Greek Means You’ll Always Have a Home Away From Home! An instant new family...that’s what you get when you join a sorority. The moment you pledge, you’ll have over 100 new sisters at Louisiana Tech. Freshman year can have some stress associated with it, and having an instant support system can be a great help. Getting to know your sisters is a fun and beneficial experience. You’ll have mentors who can help you not only when you are a freshman but throughout your life. There is also a strong group of alumnae associated with each sorority chapter as advisors. They too are available to assist you in any way. Being Greek Means Campus Involvement! Sorority life presents so many opportunities for involvement. You’ll never have a boring minute in your life. There is a full menu of activities from which to choose. The members of each chapter all have different interests. The activities of a sorority reflect the variety in interest of their members. There are Bible studies, social events (like exchanges with fraternities that might even be costume parties), philanthropy events, study groups, athletic pep rallies and games, and sisterhood events. On campus, the Greeks are the most highly participatory group of all. Homecoming is an especially exciting time. Intramurals in every sport are enjoyed by all chapters. The Greeks also have their own week. Greek Week in the spring brings positive attention to the many contributions the sororities and fraternities make to the campus and community. Greek membership opens doors to so many opportunities during your college years, and the Greek member enjoys a lifetime of benefits including professional networking, community involvement, and instant friendships through alumnae associations located in every area of the country. It is truly the experience of a lifetime. 6 It’s All Greek To Me! - Terms and Slang Active - an initiated member of a fraternity or sorority. Bid - an invitation to join a fraternity or sorority. Big Sister / Big Sis / Big - an active who befriends a new member and becomes like an older sister to her. Chapter - an organized, local branch of a fraternity or sorority. Initiation - the ceremony in which a person becomes a member of a fraternity or sorority and receives all associated rights and privileges. Panhellenic Council - the governing body of all NPC sororities at a college or university, consisting of representatives from each sorority on campus. Pin / Badge - a jeweled representative of the sorority or fraternity’s crest that is usually worn above the left breast. Potential New Member - a college or university student who is becoming oriented with all sororities on a college campus in order to secure a pledge of membership. Alumna - a female member who has graduated from her initiating chapter. Candlelight - a ceremony in which a member reveals having been given a lavaliere, fraternity pin, or engagement. Greek - a term applied to members affiliated with a Greek-letter organization. Lavaliere - a necklace with the letters of a Greek Organization. Legacy - a sister, daughter, or grand daughter of a sorority member. NPC - National Panhellenic Conference; a conference composed of delegates from 26 recognized women’s social fraternities. Philanthropy - active effort to promote human welfare. Quota - the number of new members, determined by the local college Panhellenic, which any Greek chapter may pledge during a specified time. Recruitment Counselors - Sorority members who have disassociated themselves from their chapters during recruitment to answer any questions a potential new member may have about recruitment. Exchange / Social - a get together with another group for a party, dinner, or other fun function. 7 Membership Has Its Privileges... And Its Responsibilities When you accept a bid from a sorority, you become a new member of that chapter. You’ll be a part of a new member class; a group of young women who have chosen that sorority during recruitment and accepted the invitation to membership. The new member experience can be one of the most memorable times during your college years. Your new sisters will make you feel comfortable and will include you in fun sisterhood events and other types of activities. There will also be an orientation or “new member” period. Before the new member can be initiated, she must fulfill the sorority’s requirements that may include learning its history, purpose, and goals. This is information that a new member should know in order to fully understand the scope of the organization she has joined. It’s important for a new member to understand that once she’s initiated, she can never join any other National Panhellenic Conference Sorority. That’s one of the most important agreements that exist among the 26 member sororities of the conference. If the new member decides not to be initiated, she is eligible to join another sorority, but ONLY AFTER ONE CALENDAR YEAR HAS ELAPSED. This is important information for any prospective new member to know. The new member period can be one of the most positive and rewarding experiences of your career. There are no demeaning or degrading requirements. Hazing is strictly forbidden by each national sorority, the National Panhellenic Conference, Louisiana Tech University, and the State of Louisiana. Sorority membership is an investment in your personal growth. It’s your responsibility to take advantage of the opportunities offered to you by your sorority membership. You’ll be expected to participate in activities, to add your time and talents to the success of your chapter. Your academic success is the highest priority, and the sorority expects you to be your best. Each sorority sets high standards for behavior and participation. You will be expected to be fully aware of those standards and rise to meet them. There is a financial obligation for all sororities as well. Chapters are run in accordance with good business practices, and the dues and fees of the members support the activities and the lodges. Social activities and philanthropies are also supported by member dues. Each sorority has its own fee structure, and you should be sure to ask the sorority about their financial expectations. Here are the average costs for the sororities at Louisiana Tech. Listed below is an average of what a PNM can expect to pay during her first year as a sorority member. The first quarter will be the most expensive due to “one-time” only payments that accompany being a new member. The badge fee will vary based on the type you design. Some chapters will charge quarterly, while others will charge monthly. Either way, each chapter has various expenses throughout the year which are comparable to each other. Every chapter will be willing to work with you to make payment possible. Many sorority members work throughout the year to pay for their membership and sororities often offer scholarships to their members. It is important to realize that joining a sorority does require a financial obligation. If you have questions, please discuss with your Gamma Chi or the chapters individually. One Time Only Expenses Quarterly Expenses Annually New MemInitiation ber Fee Badge Housing Dues Social Pan Dues Nationals T-Shirts Possible Additional Expenses $103 $100 and up $110 $145 $45 $36 $45 3 shirts/ quarter @$12 $60-$100 $125 8 Potential New Member Bill Of Rights The right to be treated as an individual. The right to be fully informed about the recruitment process. The right to ask questions and receive true and objective answers from recruitment counselors and members. The right to be treated with respect. The right to be treated as a capable and mature person without being patronized. The right to have and express opinions to recruitment counselors. The right to have inviolable confidentiality when sharing information with recruitment counselors. The right to make informed choices without undue pressure from others. The right to be fully informed about the binding agreements implicit in the Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA). The right to make one’s own choice and decision and accept full responsibility for the results of that decision. The right to have a positive, safe, and enriching recruitment and new member experience. 9 2015 Formal Membership Recruitment Rules 1. Any female enrolled at Louisiana Tech is eligible to participate in Formal Membership Recruitment (FMR). 2. There should be no recruitment of high school students during the school year and summer. 3. High school students may not be invited to chapter-sponsored events. They may be invited to attend overall Greek events ONLY by Panhellenic. 4. High school students, who have a prior relationship with sorority members, may attend chapter philanthropy events when the event is open to the public. Chapter members may not send formal invitations to high school students, which includes but is not limited to electronic invitations or US mail. 5. From the last day of spring quarter until the end of FMR, no high school student or potential new member may visit a sorority lodge except for events and activities sponsored by Panhellenic. 6. From the last day of spring quarter until the end of FMR, no sorority member may purchase and/or give anything to a PNM (outside of her own family). Gifts that are Greek-oriented may not be given to anyone. These items include but are not limited to jerseys, sorority paraphernalia and any gifts, meals or other items intended to impress or engender goodwill from the potential member. Summer contact with a potential member will be limited to recruiting greek. In the event a sorority member comes in contact with a potential member during FMR outside a formal event, only a cordial greeting is appropriate with the exception of a long standing relationship. 7. In accordance with an NPC unanimous agreement, no membership recruitment activity shall include men or alcohol. This policy shall be in effect from the beginning of FMR until 24 hours after the acceptance of bids to membership. There is one exception; men are allowed to assist sorority members for event set up (moving furniture) and may enter the lane after PNMs have left the lane. 8. Potential members may reside in the University housing during FMR. Commuters and dorm residents are required to follow all FMR rules and must attend designated Gamma Chi group meetings. No sorority member or person affiliated with any campus sorority will be allowed in a potential new member’s (PNM) housing before or during FMR, with the exception of Gamma Chis and Panhellenic officers. If a sorority member or any other person affiliated with any campus sorority resides with a PNM, it is the responsibility of the sorority member to find other living arrangements during FMR. 9. Potential new members will attend each sorority’s Inspiration Day event, which will last 50 minutes per event. The subsequent event invitations the potential new member is allowed to accept is as follows: • 3 invitations to Values Day, which will last 45 minutes per event. • 2 invitations to Preference Day, which will last 40 minutes per event. Each PNM must attend the maximum number of parties allowed (if invited), or Panhellenic Council will release her from FMR. In case of emergency or illness, the PNM should notify the Panhellenic Council or adviser so that the situation may be reviewed. 10. No food shall be served to PNM’s at a sorority lodge during a recruitment event. 11. Each potential member must sign her preference card immediately after the last Preference event she attends. Strict silence follows the signing of preference cards and shall last until the potential new member reports to the sorority from which she accepts a bid. 10 2015 Recruitment Schedule Wednesday, September 9, 2015 PNM Check-in 1:00-2:45pm TONK PNM Convocation 3:00-6:00pm TONK Thursday, September 10, 2015 GX Group Meeting 4:30-5:15pm TONK Party 1 5:30 – 6:15pm Sorority Lane Party 2 6:30 – 7:15pm Party 3 7:30 – 8:15pm Party 4 8:30 – 9:15pm GX Group Meeting 9:30-9:45pm Outside last house attended 3:30 – 4:15pm TONK Sorority Lane Friday, September 11, 2015 GX group meeting Party 5 4:30 – 5:15pm Party 6 5:30 – 6:15pm Party 7 6:30 – 7:15pm Party 8 7:30 – 8:15pm GX group meeting 8:20 – 9:00pm TONK Saturday, September 12, 2015 Released PNM’s will be contacted by 7am this morning GX group meeting 9:00 – 9:45am TONK Party 1 10:00 – 10:45am Sorority Lane Party 2 11:00 – 11:45am Party 3 12:00 – 12:45pm Lunch 12:45 – 1:30pm Party 4 1:45 – 2:30pm Party 5 2:45 – 3:30pm Party 6** 3:45 – 4:30pm GX group meeting 4:30 – 5:30pm TONK Released PNM’s will be contacted by 10pm this evening Sunday, September 13, 2015 GX group meeting 8:00 – 8:45am TONK Party 1 9:00 – 9:50am Party 2 10:05 – 10:55am Party 3** 11:10 – 12:00pm Party 4** 12:15 – 1:00pm Bid card distribution 6:00pm TONK Bid Day 6:30pm Sorority Lane PNM’s not receiving an invitation will be contacted by 3pm this afternoon. 11 What To Wear ation Day: ay One: Inspir ttoms, and Round One, D sual, tasteful bo ca t, ir sh tch Louisiana Te le shoes. cute, comfortab Round Two: Values Day: Sun dress, b louse and nic e skirt or sl acks. Round O ne, Day Two: Insp shirt pro iration D vided, ca ay: Recru s ual, taste to play u itment ful botto p your b ms. Feel ottoms w free ith color ful cute s horts! eference: Round Three: Pr nice, kneeformal event. A t os m e th is t mended This even heels are recom d an s es dr il ta length cock Bid Day: A t-shirt with casual shorts and athletic shoes. New Member Ceremon y: some sororities have Ne w Members wear a pure, white dress durin g ritual ceremonies 12 Alpha Chi Omega Hi Ladies! On behalf of the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega, Beta Psi Chapter, I would like to welcome each one of you to the Louisiana Tech family and to formal recruitment. We are so excited that you have chosen to go Greek and start the best four years of your life! Enjoy this week full of new friends, fun and sisterhood because recruitment is truly an unforgettable experience. I know the time spent with my fellow sisters and friends I made through recruitment will last a lifetime so enjoy the experience. Alpha Chi Omega was founded on October 15th, 1885 at DePaw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Our colors are scarlet red and olive green, our national symbol is the lyre, and our flower is the red carnation. The Beta Psi chapter of Alpha Chi Omega was founded on October 7th, 1944 and have been proudly supporting Louisiana Tech for over 70 years! We are proud to wear our colors and share the lyre badge with our fellow sisters around the country! Around the city of Ruston and campus of Louisiana Tech, Alpha Chi Omega is known for our involvement in philanthropic activities and on campus organizations. We have members involved in organizations such as Student Government Association, Union Board, Student Recruiters, Order of Omega, University cheerleaders, Regal Blues, A+PEL, Peer Leadership Council and other countless organizations throughout the university. We are proud to support our sisters in their various organizations and positions they hold throughout. Of the many things Alpha Chi Omega offers to its lifetime members, the most important are community service, scholarship opportunities, and leadership development. Alpha Chi Omega believes very strongly in community service and holds its members responsible for servicing our community through various opportunities such as fundraisers and donations. We host and annual Walk a Mile in Their Shoes to benefit our local philanthropy shelter, DART. DART stands for the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team, helping woman, men and children in physically harmful relationships. We hold this issue very near and dear to our hearts. We also host an annual Light the Lady on Louisiana Tech’s campus every October in which all the funds are donated to DART. Along with that we also participate in the national Love Is week which promotes healthy relationships throughout the community and on campus. We love serving our community and national philanthropies through Alpha Chi Omega while also making an impact and difference throughout. In addition to our service work, the women of Alpha Chi Omega enjoy spending time with each other through various sisterhood events such as workout classes like Zumba, sisterhood retreat, watching movies at the lodge, bible study, and much more. We also host various socials throughout the year such as Fall party, Semi, Christmas party, Yippee A-Chi-O, and the Golden Lyre Ball. Spending time with our sisters is what we love to do and we wouldn’t have it any other way. The lovely ladies of Alpha Chi Omega have an unmistakable bond with each other, a bond that will last a life time. May you feel welcomed and find joys within the doors of Alpha Chi Omega during recruitment. I am so proud to be a member of the Beta Psi Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega, and I hope you find this pride within yourself throughout this recruitment experience. Once again, welcome to Louisiana Tech University and to Recruitment 2015!!!! Have a wonderful, fun filled week and I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Loyally, Laura Davidson Beta Psi Chapter President 13 Fast Facts: Nickname: Alpha Chi Colors: Scarlet and Olive Green Flower: Red Carnation Mascots / Symbols: Lyre Open Motto: “Together let us seek the heights” Founded: DePauw University, 1885 Required GPA: 2.8 Kappa Delta Hi Ladies! I’d like to first welcome each of you to our wonderful Louisiana Tech family! You have made one of the best decisions by choosing to come to Tech, and again by participating in formal recruitment. As a member of the Greek system for the past three years, I can truly say that it has affected my life in more ways than I can imagine, and I am forever grateful for all it has given me. Recruitment is an exciting and unforgettable experience filled with new friends, fun, and sisterhood! Your involvement on campus is an integral part in shaping your success and enjoyment during your college years, and I hope that each of you make the most of your time here by going Greek! Kappa Delta Sorority was founded on October 23, 1897 by four women who had an incredible vision of promoting true friendship among college women, all the while instilling values that would encourage members to reach their maximum potential and become their best selves. This marked the beginning of a strong tradition of sisterhood that is still flourishing across the nation. Our Alpha Chi Chapter of Kappa Delta was installed here on Louisiana Tech’s campus on April 25, 1931. In our 84 years of rich history, our chapter has grown into a unique and diverse group of Louisiana Tech women. Embodying our open motto, “Let us strive for that which is honorable, beautiful, and highest,” our Kappa Delta chapter consistently works hard to set high standards for ourselves and to achieve our goals. The Alpha Chi Chapter has maintained the highest Greek grades for the past 14 quarters, was awarded 2014 Greek Chapter of the Year, and has received multiple honors on a National Kappa Delta level including being named one of the top KD chapters in the nation and having three former National Presidents. Each of our members represents a unique area of campus life. We have active members in the Student Government Association, Union Board, Student Advancement Team, Student Recruiters, Order of Omega, Orientation Student Leaders, Tech Leadership Council, and numerous other organizations and honor societies. Not only are we involved on campus, but we are also very active in our local community. We hold an annual Shamrock 5K and 1-mile fun run to raise money for our philanthropies, Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home and Prevent Child Abuse America. This past year we raised more than ever, totaling over $20,000! We are also very involved with our local Girl Scout troops, holding events throughout the year and focusing on instilling confidence in them. Kappa Delta is a special organization that encourages each member to be herself and offers support through every step of college life and beyond. We want our members to find friendship and support in each of their KD sisters, and have a special bond that will last a lifetime. Kappa Delta would love to share our sisterhood with you and become your new home away from home! Wishing each of you a wonderful week and the best of experiences! Sincerely, Mary Peyton Payne Kappa Delta President Fast Facts: Nickname: Kay Dee Open Motto: “Let us strive for that which is honorable, beautiful, and highest” Colors: Olive Green and Pearl White Founded: State Female Normal School, 1897 Flower: White Rose Required GPA: 2.8 Mascots / Symbols: Teddy Bear, Nautilus Shell Transfer Student: 2.6 14 Phi Mu Hi ladies! I would like to say on behalf of my Phi Mu sisters, welcome to Louisiana Tech and congratulations on your decision to go through Formal Recruitment! Joining a sorority has honestly been the best decision I have made in my college career and I’m sure that after this week you’ll understand why. This week is only the beginning of an amazing journey that will last beyond your college years; the friendships and bonds that you’ll make this week will last a lifetime! Phi Mu Fraternity was founded by three young women at Wesleyan College in Macon, GA in 1852, only the second all-women’s group established in the United States at the time; we have also been active as the Alpha Lambda chapter of Phi Mu here on Tech’s campus since November 13, 1937. Phi Mu was founded on three ideals that define how we live our lives: Love, Honor, and Truth. Our open motto, Les Sœurs Fidels, is French for “the faithful sisters,” which is something that we strive to be day by day. Today, the Alpha Lambda chapter of Phi Mu strives to go above and beyond to live our ideals and open motto. We are focused on excelling in the three “A’s” of student life at Tech: academics, activities, and athletics. Almost every single member of our chapter is involved in at least one of the 100+ organizations on campus including Spirit Groups, Habitat for Humanity, Student Recruiters, the American Society of Civil Engineers, Orientation Student Leaders, Bulldog Belles, and Diamond Girls just to name a few. We are also a part of many academic and leadership honor societies including Order of Omega, Lambda Sigma, Phi Epsilon Kappa, and Alpha Epsilon Delta. You can also find us at any LA Tech sporting event such as football, basketball, and baseball games. Wherever you go on campus, you are sure to see at least one Phi Mu sister there! Not only are we active on campus, but we are also very active in supporting our philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals! Our home hospital is located in Little Rock, Arkansas and we plan an annual trip to the hospital in November. It’s amazing to actually meet the children that you help raise money for, and to see the impact that you make in their lives is an absolute blessing. Meeting the children really pushes us to do everything that we can for them, so we have many events to help raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. This past year we hosted a Lilly Pulitzer Bingo, a black light Dodge ball Tournament, and we had our annual Spring Gala in April where we had a silent auction and our new members were presented. Just our chapter alone has raised over $20,000 in the past year for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals! We also participate in other organization’s philanthropy events such as Relay for Life, Circle K’s Special Olympics, and every fraternity and sorority’s philanthropy events. Our sisterhood is one of the best things about Phi Mu, and maintaining that bond is something that we do every chance that we get. We have weekly study hours, pinky parties, Bible studies, and pot luck dinners in addition to our annual sisterhood retreat. Through our sisterhood, we encourage every one of our members to be the best person they can be by showing acceptance and support for every sister. No matter how busy we may be, we always have time for our sisters! In my 3 years being a Phi Mu, I cannot think of a better reason for joining a sorority than the sisterhood that I have experienced. My sisters are always there for me through thick and thin, and have always shown me what it means to be the best that I can be. I hope that this week you find that same feeling! Phi Mu cannot wait to meet you and share our sisterhood with you! Phi Mu Love and Mine, Casey Chaudoir Phi Mu President 15 Fast Facts: Colors: Rose and White Founded: Wesleyan College, 1852 Flower: Rose Carnation Required GPA: 2.8 Mascots / Symbols: Lion and Quartrefoil Transfer Student: 2.75 Open Motto: “Lese Soeurs Fideles” or “The Faithful Sisters” Sigma Kappa On behalf of the sisters of Sigma Kappa Sorority, welcome to formal membership recruitment! In the next days, you will make memories and forge friendships that will last a lifetime. Wherever this process leads you, we wish you the best experience possible. For more than a century, Sigma Kappa has united women in a sincere bond of friendship, creating a sisterhood encompassing thousands. We were founded November 9, 1874, at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, and have been a part of the Louisiana Tech University Greek system since 1937. Our chapter – Beta Epsilon – is known for its fine traditions and standards. Each year, we work to achieve the highest honor set by our national headquarters, the Three Stars Standards of Excellence Award. In 2012 we received The Founders Award, which recognized us as the most prominent chapter in the nation. Louisiana Tech is great place to be Greek, and an even better place to be a Sigma Kappa. Joining a sorority is a lifelong commitment, one cherished by all of our members. Sigma Kappa’s goal is to help each sister develop to her greatest potential through personal growth, loyalty, friendship and service. We are a very diverse group of women, yet we share common goals and core values. The bond that this creates is one of the strongest connections available in a student organization. We believe that by finding a group of women with common values, each sister also finds a support system throughout college to help her reach her fullest potential. Membership in Sigma Kappa is a balance between academics, campus activities, philanthropic service, sisterhood activities and social events. Academic success is extremely important. As women in college, we all share this common goal. New members of Sigma Kappa are required to have a 2.8 high school GPA or a 2.5 college GPA. Beta Epsilon has consistently been recognized for its high level of academic achievement, maintaining a 3.2 overall GPA. Sigma Kappa participates in campus activities such as intramural sports, the Big Event and Greek Week, which we are proud to say we won in 2014. While we are very active as a sisterhood, Sigma Kappa is represented throughout campus organizations by individual members, as well. We have sisters that are active in Student Government Association, Orientation Student Leaders, Student Recruiters, Student Advancement Team, Union Board, Order of Omega, Omicron Delta Kappa, Regal Blues, Tech cheerleaders, Miss Tech, and various academic honor societies, with many sisters filling leadership positions as well. Sigma Kappa sisters love their bulldogs; one will often find us cheering on our Bulldogs and Lady Techsters at various sporting events throughout the year. The chapter has won the Greek spirit trophy the past 3 basketball seasons! Sigma Kappa has five national philanthropies: the Sigma Kappa Foundation, Inherit the Earth, gerontology, the Maine Sea Coast Mission, and Alzheimer’s disease research. We enjoy volunteering at a local nursing home, where we get to do arts and crafts, play games, and sometimes eat milkshakes with some of the most fun residents of Ruston. This year, we hosted our 7th Annual “Kick in the Grass” kickball tournament, which was a great success, and began a new tradition, Sigma Kapalaya, in which we served our community while serving up delicious jambalaya. We are always looking to expand our fundraising activities, and are looking forward to new philanthropic opportunities this year. Not only are we committed to academics and service to others, but we always take time for each other. Some of our best memories have been made at our many sisterhood events. This year we had a blast at our retreat to Camp Caney, where we bunked in cabins and shared stories over s’mores. We also enjoy weekly Bible studies and attending church as a group once a quarter. During the previous year, we took sisterhood trips to Colorado and the beach. Our social events are always something to look forward to. In addition to quarterly exchanges with fraternities, we also host our own parties such as Fall Party, Winter SemiFormal, Spring Party, and Deep Purple Ball. The women of Sigma Kappa Sorority look forward to meeting you and sharing with you more about our sorority and the particular bond that unites us as sisters of Sigma Kappa. Please make yourself welcome in our lodge. Have a great time and we wish you a happy recruitment! Fast Facts: Sincerely, Jordon Collis Sigma Kappa President Nickname: Sigmas Open Motto: “One Heart, One Way” Flower: Violet Required GPA: 2.8 Colors: Lavendar and Maroon Founded: Colby College, 1874 Mascots / Symbols: Dove & Heart Transfer Student: 2.5 16 Recruitment Tips • Check to make sure that you have the appropriate wardrobe selections for each day. • Wear comfortable shoes or flip flops, and pack heels in your purse to change into when you get to the lane. • Bring an umbrella. • Relax and remember that the sorority women are just as nervous as you. • Be courteous to your group members and Recruitment Counselors by always being on time. Events begin and end at certain times. • Confide in your Recruitment Counselor. She can be your best friend during recruitment week. Feel free to ask her any questions or discuss any problems that you may encounter during the recruitment process. • Be open to all sororities, looking for characteristics that are unique to each. • Don’t worry if you find that a sorority member or alumna will not talk to you outside of recruitment functions. There is a silence period when sorority members are to refrain from speaking with potential new members. • Get plenty of rest each night. Drink a lot of water. Snacks will be provided, but in limited supply each day. 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