Greek life thriving, striving at TU

​by JESSICA HOLLAN
Assistant editor

The most exciting time of the year for Greek organizations is upon us: pledging. Interviews for the process begin this week, and to prepare you for what’s ahead we sat down with four* of the six Greek organizations to ask about their pledging process, and what their group is looking for in their future sisters and brothers.

The Sigma Delta Sigma sorority is one of three on campus. Founded in 1987, the Deltas are recognizable on campus by their signature colors of purple and teal. This year, the Deltas are opening their season with a completely revamped pledging process that lasts two weeks.

“After our most successful pledging season in 2016, the Deltas are looking forward to having another exciting class of ladies join our organization,” stated Alexa Norton, the sorority’s president. “The pledges will learn more about Sigma Delta Sigma, have multiple educational components, discover new things about themselves, learn to work as a team, and build a bond that is everlasting.”

The Deltas are looking for powerful leaders to join their sisterhood and work with them on their causes: sexual assault and domestic violence awareness, in addition to Love Your Insecurities.

“At the end of the two weeks, the pledges will be able to look back and see how far they've come and use the new skills that they have learned while becoming a leader here at TU,” said Norton. “Crossing night is the finish line for the pledging process, and on that night, we will meet the newest Deltas.”

Founded in 1925, the Alpha Iota sorority is both the oldest and only international sorority on campus. Their signature colors are blue and white, and they pride themselves on following a long history of professionalism within the sisterhood.

“Teamwork is definitely important,” stated pledge captain Beata Krembuszewski. “[The pledging process] is designed to be intense to bring the girls together.”

However, the Alphas make it clear that despite the rigorous process, they are strict on making sure every activity is safe.

“During pledging, if it makes anyone uncomfortable, they are more than welcome to not participate,” said Krembuszewski. “It’s absolutely fine; They will not be reprimanded just because they spoke up about not wanting to do something that made them uncomfortable.”

This sense of sisterhood and safety are strong points for the Alphas, who spend their time campaigning for autism awareness and Love 146 human trafficking awareness. They also host all blood drives on campus.

Despite being a business sorority, the Alpha’s sisterhood includes much more than just business majors, and they take pride in their business aspect to help drive a competitive level of professionalism in their girls, giving them a strong advantage when navigating future professional endeavors. As an organization that boasts professionalism, it comes as no surprise that the Alpha’s brother fraternity is the one known for dressing in business professional clothing on Thursdays.

Phi Theta Pi is one of three fraternities on campus, and the only one known for wearing suits to class no matter the weather. The Phis were founded in 1926, making them the oldest fraternity at TU. Much like the Alphas, their sister sorority, the Phis are also an international Greek organization.

Their pledging process lasts three weeks and focuses on covering the history of the fraternity, getting to know your future brothers (both fellow pledges and active members), and learning about brotherhood.

“It’s nothing like the movies,” stated pledge captain Adam Lupp and vice president Brad McCormick. “During pledging, there is no divide between the pledges and the actives. We are right there with them. It’s not like you versus us; we are all together, stressing the importance of unity.”

The Phis emphasize strong academics and are proud to offer two scholarships (one nationally funded and one funded by a Tiffin University Phi alum) to members who show strong characteristics of respect, dedication, leadership, and scholarship.

“Even if you’re not sure you want to join a fraternity or sorority, go to the interviews, see what they’re about,” said Assistant Pledge Captain Shay Greenwalt. “Don’t miss out on an opportunity just because you weren’t completely sure.”

Greenwalt’s rhetoric is one stressed within another fraternity on campus, the Theta Eta Omicrons. Founded in 2009, the Omicrons are one of the younger Greek organizations on campus. Despite their age, the fraternity already has 65 alumni and 11 current members.

The Omicrons boast a stress-free pledging process with casual friendship building activities (Cards Against Humanity, video games, family dinners) and plenty of time to do homework.

“We like to give everyone a chance to lead and a chance to work as a group,” stated president Quin Fleming and vice president Trent Dundore. “We want to see how you work as a group, both pledges and active members.”

The Omicrons have been the proud winners of the best Greek award for four of the seven academic years they have been in existence and account that to the strong individuals they have in their organization.

“We like to be involved,” stated Fleming and Dundore. “It’s not just about being an Omicron and helping out your brothers, but also helping out the surrounding community. If you look at the Omicrons, you’ll see that most of us are on at least two or three e-boards, and that’s because we pride ourselves on helping the university thrive… And our door is always open. Literally”

All six of the Greek organizations on Tiffin University’s campus are filled with wonderful people, and if you’re planning on going Greek, there is not a better campus to choose from. Being a part of such a small campus community demands a certain level of class from each of the organizations in order to maintain their positive reputations – something that the Greek life of TU has proudly upheld.
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 “Those who are a part of Greek life on campus do take it seriously,” stated Lupp. “Greek life on Tiffin’s campus is not like most.”
 
Check back to learn more about TU’s Greek life next week when The Tystenac gets to sit in on a night of pledging between the Omicrons and the Zetas.
 
*The Tystenac requested interviews with all Greek organizations on campus. While the Zeta Pi Beta sorority and Omega Psi Rho fraternity did not comment for this interview, their pledging processes also began this week. To learn more about them, please contact them via their organizational emails.