Greek life has been present at most college campuses for decades, and Pittsburg State is no exception to this. As with any group of students, fraternities and sororities are always seeking new members to keep their chapters and their traditions alive. Pittsburg State’s own sororities have been working to bring in new faces and show their traditions through two different processes- the formal recruitment process, which happens in the fall, and the informal recruitment process, which happens when there are open spots available in houses. Some of Pittsburg State’s sororities are taking part in the informal recruitment process, each with their own unique events and ideas
One such example is Sigma Sigma Sigma, whose new house opened up this past November. Founded in 1898 at Longwood University, Pittsburg State is home to the Chi chapter, which opened in 1922. Emma Kratz, a junior triple majoring in Marketing, Management, and Human Resource Development, serves as their Recruitment Director
“I chose to join Sigma Sigma Sigma because I felt right at home the moment I stepped foot into their doors during the formal recruitment process,” Kratz said. “The members in Tri Sigma were kind, welcoming, and authentically themselves.”
To kick off their informal recruiting process, the sisters of Sigma Sigma Sigma hosted “Dip Into Our Sisterhood” at their home on Feb. 4, where potential newcomers enjoyed dipped treats while learning about Sigma Sigma Sigma.
“This event provides an opportunity for potential new members to get to know our sisterhood, while also allowing our members to get to know the potential new members” Kratz explains.
Another sorority partaking in the informal recruitment process is Alpha Sigma Alpha, which was also founded at Longwood University in 1901. The Eta Eta chapter here on campus is seeking to make personal bonds with their potential new members during this process by inviting them on coffee outings.
“We’re hosting smaller recruitment events so potential new members can meet a variety of women, but we’re also doing one-on-one coffee dates to make the process more personal,” Sydney Pruitt, a senior psychology major, said.
Pruitt, who chose Alpha Sigma Alpha because she could see herself making genuine connections with its members, went on to say that having these smaller group outings allows for more genuine conversations between members, giving potential new members a sense of connection and belonging.
Alpha Gamma Delta, the final of Pitt State’s trio of sororities, is also doing the informal recruiting process. Founded in 1908 at Syracuse University, the Epsilon Kappa chapter calls Pittsburg State home. Junior exercise science major Carlie Schill joined because she felt her values aligned with what Alpha Gamma Delta’s were.
“I really hope to see an influx in women in Greek life this semester,” Schill said. “I think Greek life is a great opportunity to get involved and it has opened so many doors for me to get involved in other things on campus as well. So, if you are on the fence about joining, come to an event.”
Alpha Gamma Delta is hosted a cupcake decorating night at their house on Tuesday, Feb. 3 as the start of their process, where potential new members came to meet the house’s members and learn more about what being part of Alpha Gamma Delta is like.