Over nine million college students across the nation are participating in some form of Greek life. Whether the purpose of joining the Greek community is to make friends, build resumes or even attend parties, college students from state to state are looking to better their college experience.
With hopes of incorporating a thriving chapter at the University and expanding the philosophy of their founders, the international women’s fraternity Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII) will be recruiting women on campus in the spring of 2013.
The women’s fraternity, often referenced today as a sorority, was created in 1897 at Barnard College. The organization, founded on sisterhood and service, is part of the National Panhellenic Council (NPC), and has expanded to 193 collegiate chapters and 320 alumnae chapters since its creation.
The University’s interest in expanding Greek life has come from the rise in numbers for recruitment and overall Greek interest in these past few years. Men’s social fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi, was rechartered in 2010, and the professional business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi, was chartered in 2011.
The vote to open for the creation of a new chapter was approved and passed on to the NPC. The NPC, also known as the governing body of women’s Greek organizations, released an Extension Bulletin to the twenty-six members. After viewing the University’s proposal, AOII was interested in establishing a chapter based on a number of factors such as alumni and university support, the size of the proposed colony, and whether the values of the campus aligned with the values of their organization.
Kara Mantooth, Director of Public Relations and Extension for AOII, has been spearheading the movement thus far on campus. Mantooth, who has been working for the organization since March, has been spreading word of the women’s fraternity via email, social media websites, and information sessions.
Among others, AOII emphasizes the objects of character, dignity, scholarship, and college loyalty. The women’s fraternity works to teach their members how to expand and utilize these characteristics both inside and outside the organization in order to benefit the community as a whole. As for service, Mantooth explains, “It expands beyond the sisterhood. Service is more than volunteering. It’s service to others, being a good citizen, and being a good friend.”
For interested students, Mantooth says AOII is looking for females who are “leaders, selfstarters, motivated, and passionate about Monmouth.”
“The Greek community has been extremely supportive and nice.” Both current Greek members and interested students have stopped by table events just to introduce themselves or say hi.
Sophomore Marcie Aviva Licker says she is definitely going to do some research on Alpha Omicron Pi in order to decide whether or not to get involved. To Licker, “Greek life seems fun.” As an only-child, the idea of sisters “sounds wonderful.”
Mantooth encourages students to look into what Greek life is about in order to decide whether it is the right choice for them. “The purpose of fraternities and sororities is to promote and better the individual. Brotherhood and sisterhood are different than any type of friendship you will have,” Mantooth said.
“Greek life gives you life experience as well as good friends that act as a support system. You also learn skills and qualities that help you in your personal and professional life,” said Junior Klaudia Szabat, brother of the professional business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi.
“The common stereotypes of Greek life are really misunderstood. Greek life is an awesome way to get involved in campus life as well as grow as an individual,” Szabat added.
At the beginning of the spring semester, AOII will have two visiting consultants who work for the fraternity that will table, pass things out on campus, and provide information sessions. At least two weeks prior to the colonization process, women will be able to register for individual or group appointments. Although unsure of an exact member, Manthooth estimates a possible number of 65 women for recruitment based on the average chapter recruiting size.
With the addition of AOII to the University’s Greek community, Mantooth hopes the organization will be a thriving, successful, and inclusive chapter that will be able to “become a part of the National Panhellenic Conference and merge into Greek life immediately.” An objective of AOII this spring semester is to “bring new, fresh ideas” and “make a difference in the Greek and campus community.”
