CL Interviews Samantha Vulpis, Panhellenic President

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Alexa Lippman

College Lifestyles interviewed Samantha Vulpis, Panhellenic President at Binghamton University. Vulpis is a 21 years old senior with a dual degree in Finance and Political Science. Even with her busy schedule, Vulpis is dedicated to her position as Panhel President. As a sorority member myself, I can say Vulpis does an excellent job; she is the perfect classy co-ed to have at the top of Panhel.

College Lifestyles: What sorority are you from? Tell us a little about it.

Samantha Vulpis: I am a member of Delta Phi Epsilon. We are a diverse group of girls who simply enjoy being around each other, and though many of us have interests that are completely different, it is what makes us such a strong group. Being a member of Delta Phi Epsilon helps you to be stronger in every aspect because there are always people who have your back on the things you may not be the best at.

CL: What does Panhel do for your Greek community, campus, school, and student body?

SV: Panhel is an organization that goes above and beyond in every aspect. In addition to the individual chapters holding their own community service and philanthropy events. Panhel, as a united organization, makes a consistent effort to hold at least one of its own events every semester. This past year alone, Panhel has raised thousands of dollars for the local Boys and Girls Club and the B+ Foundation. Both of the organizations we chose to donate to directly benefit children, for the reason that we feel this is where we can make the biggest difference in our community. Not only does Panhel help the community, but also the organization exceeds the norm for on campus participation in other organizations and clubs, as well as holds a cumulative GPA that is higher than any other organization on this campus; and I really think that says something about who we really are.

CL: Give us an example of a day for you.

SV: A day as Panhel president can be chaotic at times. There are days where I could go to five different meetings; seeing people from the workers at Sodexo, to our adviser, all the way up to Harvey Stenger, President of Binghamton University. Sometimes it’s hard to put your heart into something just to have people consistently place Panhellenic girls into a stereotype you know they’re not. However, as time passes I learned to shake those people off because anyone who actually knows the organization and the facts would disagree with the stereotypes in a heartbeat.

CL: What upcoming events or activities do you have planned?

SV: The Panhellenic Council has most recently completed their Bown-A-Thon philanthropy event for the B+ foundation, benefiting children in the local area who are currently suffering with pediatric cancer. In the near future, we are tabling at Relay For Life and selling chocolate lollipops to benefit the American Cancer Society; where we hope to be named as the top on site fundraising team for another consecutive year. In addition, we have a Girls Night In planned, which has the purpose of better uniting the organization across the different chapters.

CL: How can a Greek be involved with Panhel?

SV: For someone not involved in Panhel, it’s an obscure concept. Everyone knows it’s there but no one knows exactly what we do. Panhellenic is in charge of governing all of the chapters within the council, as well as working with the other councils to constantly improve Greek life. To be involved in Panhel, most, but not all, chapter members start out as being the Panhel Representative for their sorority. From attending weekly meetings, that girl slowly learns more and more about what we really do. Most fall in love with the unity found in the organization and their ability to make a difference, I know I did.

CL: Why do you love Panhel?

SV: I have been on Panhel ever since I became a member of my organization. I started out as a Representative, then became Recruitment Chair, and finally President. I fell in love immediately when I saw how close the girls really were with members of other chapters. You don’t see that sort of unity anywhere else. In addition, the ability to make a difference really moved me. I love being able to prove to people why we are not the stereotype everyone pegs us to be.

CL: How can students become part of Greek life? When is recruitment/rush and how can they sign up?

SV: Recruitment events occur all year long, we are constantly trying to find girls who think just like us; ones who care about going above and beyond in all aspects. In the beginning of each semester, there is a link that gets released for girls to register for recruitment for that semester. They can then follow that link or come up to the Panhellenic girls who are tabling in every dining hall in the two weeks preceding recruitment each semester.

As a sorority member, I have seen Vulpis in action. The sororities all work together to make Panhel as great as it can be and Vulpis is at the head of it all. She does a great job of uniting the sororities and bringing us all together for a great overall Panhel experience. Kudos to Vulpis!

For more sorority life articles check out:

Sorority Chat: Spring Recruitment Does and Don’ts

Dress to Impress During Rush Week

Why I Went Through Recruitment

CL’s Guide to: Initiation Dresses

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Jessica Martin

Photo credit: Google Images

So you’ve made it through spring recruitment, and now you’re starting to get excited for initiation and planning your ensemble. College Lifestyles™ wants to help you during this exciting time, and offer some suggestions as to what you should wear to your initiation.

Most sororities have their own guidelines on what to wear to this event. It’s very important to follow the dress code! You don’t want to look out of place, or make anyone wonder why you’re being initiated. You’ll be told what you’re expected to wear, so if they say “white,” understand that white is not cream, bone or any other color. Many of our interns’ chapters require white dresses to be worn.

“White for us! For my chapter they have to be long, floor length, white dresses. Choose a dress that you are confident you will be able to fit in for your four years in college. Also, simple is always best with the least amount of embellishments.” - Skylar Starbuck, New Mexico State University, Junior

“White, white and more white! Dresses should cover the shoulders and be below the knees. Nylons are a must. Shoes also need to be white.” - Debra Schreiber, Duquesne University, alum 2012.

“Like everyone else, we wear white from head to toe. Most of us wear strapless or sleeveless dresses with white heels or flats.” - Mallory Hatten, University of Southern Mississippi, Senior

CL Boutique – Initiation Dresses by jsscamrtn featuring a sheer white dress

Not sure how you can wear white without looking all-out bridal? The CL Boutique has some chic selections available. Remember to keep your look simple, with fewer embellishments to not attract too much attention. Lace is always a good option when dressing up. Also, consider what would be on-trend in a dress right now. Peplum styles are still going strong, and don’t forget about ruffles being a big trend this spring. For more stylish options for your initiation, shop the look below.

Initiation Dresses by jsscamrtn featuring jcpenney cocktail dresses

For your makeup, consider trying a glossy or sheen eye. You can find out how to do the makeup styles in these great CL articles:

CL’s Guide to: Sheen

Spring 2013 Beauty Trend: Glossy Eye

For your hair, try one of these braid styles mentioned in this fabulous CL article:

Beautiful You: Spring Plaits

This is an exciting time, so have fun getting dressed up and celebrating your initiation into Greek life. Just make sure you’re aware of the dress code before the event. Ask about jewelry, nail polish, makeup and accessories. Can you wear strapless dresses, and what about cream vs. white hues for dress? The best way to avoid sticking out like a sore thumb is preparation!

Photo credit: Sorority Sugar

DIY: Lilly Pulitzer Pattern

Posted on February 7, 2013 by PaulineL

Lilly Pulitzer patterns can be found across college campuses on the wristlets, planners and phone covers of classy co-eds. How did this fabulous brand come to be? Well, Mrs. Pulitzer created a brilliantly patterned dress to hide the stains from her juice stand. The brand became a hit when First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was spotted in a Pulitzer pattern. The beauty of Lilly Pulitzer patterns are that they are all original artwork, which means any co-ed can make her own!

Materials:

Canvas (or any object you want to Lilly Pulitzer-ize!)
Teal, yellow, black and white paint
Paintbrushes
Water
Towels
Pattern for inspiration

Directions:

Paint the base color for the background.
Draw out the patterns to get a feel of how you want them displayed on your canvas.
Use the yellow paint to paint pansies in an organized clutter fashion.
Paint kites scattered between the flowers.
Using a very thin paintbrush, paint thin black swirls and spirals from the flowers and kites.
Personalize the pattern by discretely writing your name or Greek organization throughout the pattern as Pulitzer does in her designs.

In this tutorial, I painted the Kappa Alpha Theta Lilly Pulitzer pattern. Keep in mind, the key to any LP pattern is to be original and follow your chosen color scheme. Be inspired and get artsy!

Sorority Chat: CL’s Guide to: A Calm and Classy Chapter Meeting

Posted on December 26, 2012 by MirashaBr

For most girls, the three most important times of one’s life are the first kiss, prom and gaining membership into a sorority. Now that the rush jitters have escaped your system and you’ve been initiated into a sorority, you can focus on spending time with your newfound sisters. This includes going to exclusive Greek only events, doing philanthropic deeds with your chapter and holding seminars on campus. But before the fun begins, let’s not forget about those chapter meetings.

Chapter meetings give officers the opportunity to share news with their members. From upcoming activities to chapter dues, everything regarding your chapter’s sorority is talked about. Because the ins and outs of the chapter is discussed, these meetings may be lengthy. Here are a few do’s and don’ts you should abide by when attending chapter meetings.

DO: “Do keep it calm, classy and efficient. Don’t let everyone talk over each other or be disrespectful when a sister is speaking.” -Debra, Alpha Sigma Tau alumnae

“Do dress nicely. Even if it’s not a formal meeting, that doesn’t mean that it’s okay to show up in sweats. A sorority is a professional organization, and you should always dress appropriately when attending meetings, gatherings, etc.” -Mallory, Phi Mu, University of Southern Mississippi

“Always remember your planner because you’ll be lost without it. A cute one at that.” -Ines, Kappa Alpha Theta, University of Central Florida

DON’T: “Don’t talk while the president is talking because it will take forever to get everything said!” -Nicole, Delta Zeta, Duquesne University

“Don’t show up late!” -Tori, Kappa Delta, University of North Florida

Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be prepared for every chapter meeting!

CL’s Guide to: Calm and Classy E-Board Elections

Posted on December 16, 2012 by JessicaM

Now that finals are over, it’s time to start thinking about next year’s executive board. There’s been buzz in the house all semester about who’s running for what. But when it’s time to cast your vote, you must really consider who will best represent your chapter. CL has tips on how to keep elections calm and classy to ensure you have the best executive board for the upcoming year.

Keep speeches short and to the point

If you are running for an executive board, prewrite your speech. It will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that you say everything you want to say. Keep your speech as short as possible, usually around three minutes. Get exactly to the point so people see why you are qualified for the position. Beating around the bush and adding excess will only make your speech hard to follow and lose the interest of the listeners.

Listen

As a voter it is crucial to listen to everything a candidate has to say in order to make an informed decision. Listen closely to what the candidate’s plans are for the chapter. Listen for her qualifications and past experiences. These are the things that are most important to holding a leadership position.

Make Your Own Decision

Don’t vote for a candidate just because she is your big or pledge sister. Don’t vote for a candidate because you heard everyone was voting for her anyway. Just because someone is a great friend and nice person doesn’t necessarily mean they will make a good leader. Take into consideration everything everyone has said in their speeches. Weigh the pros and the cons of each candidate holding that office. Do whatever you need to do to make an informed decision. Remember: these girls will be representing and leading your chapter for an entire year. It is crucial to choose wisely.

Election season can be stressful, but if you follow these easy tips you’re sure to have a calm and classy E-Board election.

Ready for officer transition? Check out Diane’s article for tips!

Sorority Chat: Secret Sister

Posted on November 25, 2012 by JessicaM

With the holiday season coming up, we are all constantly thinking of gifts to buy our family, friends and sisters. With so many people to buy for, money can get tight. Instead of buying something for every single one of your sisters, do a secret sister gift swap! My chapter does this as a semester long thing, but it can be used just during the holidays, too!

To have a successful secret sister swap, one person has to be in charge of assigning sisters. She can assign them on her own or have sisters draw names from a hat. Once sisters are assigned someone to buy for, the swapping can begin!

One fun way to do secret sister is to give a gift a week for the month of December. This keeps sisters guessing and keeps the holiday spirit alive in the house. It could be like big/little week, but for everyone! At the end of December, have a reveal where everyone reveals themselves to their secret sister. My chapter does ours at our winter formal, but it can happen anywhere! Have a chapter Christmas party and do the reveal then.

Make sure to keep the gifts small and cheap. Set a spending limit so every girl gets a gift of the same value. Leading up to the big reveal, send joke gifts or cute crafts. The gift given on the day of the reveal can be the main gift.

When doing any kind of secret sister swap, think outside the box. The more over the top and crazy it gets, the more fun it is! Want more ways to save this holiday season? Check out Casey’s article for the best Christmas bargains!

Circle of Sisterhood: An Interview with Chelsea Ostebo of University of South Carolina

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Shelly Marie

After reading the book, Half the Sky, Circle of Sisterhood founder Ginny Carroll identified a chance to turn oppression into opportunity for women worldwide. Ginny created the Circle of Sisterhood Foundation because she is a strong proponent of the sorority experience and is well aware that the sorority movement came forth out of oppression. The Circle of Sisterhood Foundation is a mechanism by which all sorority women can stand together across affiliation, age, color, and creed to make a difference in the lives of millions of girls and women.

This fall sorority women, Panhellenics, and campuses took the Circle of Sisterhood founding to heart and hosted various programs based on the Half the Sky book/movie viewing.

We are honored to bring you their stories and inspire you to bring Half the Sky and Circle of Sisterhood to your campus organizations.

Last week, we chatted with Devin Cowhey of Virginia Wesleyan College and their experience with Circle of Sisterhood. This week, we chat with Chelsea Ostebo, Gamma Phi Beta and Sorority Council President at University of South Carolina.

Chelsea Ostebo, Sorority Council President, University of South Carolina

College Lifestyles: How did you first hear about Circle of Sisterhood? Circle of Sisterhood was adopted as the University of South Carolina’s Sorority Council as our official philanthropy two years ago. At the time I served on the council and took an immediate interest in the cause.

Chelsea Ostebo: Your schools/organization events for Circle of Sisterhood. (Example, Half the Sky viewing party, discussed at Panhellenic luncheon, Ginny Carroll speaking, etc) Since taking office, one of my main goals has been to raise awareness for Circle of Sisterhood. We have accomplished this in several facets. First we took to educating all of our Sorority Presidents by creating a presentation that explained the cause and how we are all looking to support it more.

Next, we created a Fraternity and Sorority Life t-shirt competition in which all of the organizations could submit a t-shirt design that would be made and sold for the entire Greek community. We sold the winning shirt to over 1,000 Greek men and women. Part of the proceeds from the sale went to Circle of Sisterhood.

This past week we hosted Ginny Carroll at our university to discuss how Sorority Women and their mission can come together as educated and really, privileged women, to make life a little better for all women. And the mission of Circle of Sisterhood of course believes this is through providing education. We presented Ginny with a check that evening for $8,000. This makes us the highest fundraising Panhellenic for Circle of Sisterhood!

CL: Tell us why you became involved with Circle of Sisterhood.

CO: I became involved with Circle of Sisterhood because I am passionate about the plight of the woman. I am incredibly aware of how blessed I am to be getting an education, let alone attending a world-class university. Sorority women are equipped with an innate ability to raise awareness for causes such as Circle of Sisterhood because of our sheer size and influence on the typical college campus. And as Sorority Council President, I had the voice that many women across the globe are denied. It was and is my responsibility to change that.

CL: Tell us how you felt after watching ‘Half the Sky.’

CO: After watching Half the Sky, I first felt a sense of hopelessness. This issue, as the documentary highlights is by no means isolated in one country or to one race or religion. This is a widespread issue and at first the task of changing something so set in the culture of many places can seem daunting. But when you take a step back you realize providing one woman with an education can give her the ability, confidence and desire to change her whole village. And then her whole region, followed by her country. Soon we are changing the entire world and we have transformed the destination of the woman. No longer is it a marriage to a much older man or years spent as a sex slave. How incredible and really, how simple.

Chelsea Ostebo, Sorority Council President, University of South Carolina

CL: Tell us about any additional accomplishments and/or events your chapter has made in regards to Circle of Sisterhood and/or after viewing Half the Sky .

CO: We are looking to start a Circle of Sisterhood committee on our campus that would have women from every Panhellenic chapter represented. With this committee they would plan events, educate the campus, etc. on Circle of Sisterhood.

We’d like to thank and congratulate both Cheslea and the entire Panhellenic Council of University of South Carolina for their amazing accomplishments with Circle of Sisterhood.

For more information on University of South Carolina Panhellenic, you can visit their website at www.UofSCSoCo.com, follow them on twitter at @uofSCSoCo, and friend them on Facebook.

Recruitment: Marist College

Posted on October 20, 2012 by Campus Correspondent

Hello from the heart of the historic Hudson Valley, or more notably Marist College. Located directly on the Hudson River students are only a step away from a majestic sunset or ice covered river view. A liberal arts institution of about 5,000 undergrads, Marist College prides itself upon individualized attention and opportunities for excelling not only in academics but also in social activity. With the multitude of clubs and organizations on campus, it can be very overwhelming at the Activities Fair to decide which one to sign up for. In my personal opinion, Greek Life is the way to go! Greek Life supports philanthropy efforts, provides a support system to members, and forms life long friendships.

If those reasons are not enough to get you up out of your dorm to come to recruitment I don’t know what is! Every year, recruitment for sororities is in the Fall and Spring semesters. In the Fall only upperclassmen and transfer students can come attend our one night recruitment event. Recruitment for the freshman is in the Spring semester. The Panhellenic Committee plans this. In order to sign up a student must simply contact the head of that committee and receive the general information, which they will find on flyers scattered around campus.

Recruitment is three nights in the Spring and all potential new members attend every single sorority’s room every night. Panhellenic members take photos of the girls and have them fill out general information sheets to be given to each sorority at the end of recruitment. Each sorority creates a theme for their recruitment and forms fun and exciting activities based around that theme.

On the last night of recruitment, sororities go through all the potential girls and decide which ones they would like to give a bid to. The potential new members also fill out their own sheet with their ratings of which sorority they would prefer to receive a bid from. The Panhellenic Committee then matches up the bids with what each girl prefers and then delivers the bids to them.

Didn’t get a bid? Do not fret! At Marist we host an event called Open Bid. There are so many girls at recruitment that sometimes girls who would fit in a sorority get overlooked, so that is what Open Bid is for. Many girls come to Open Bid and receive bids and get into sororities! So what are you waiting for? Get out there and join Greek Life, you will not regret it!

Want more information on Greek Life recruitment? See: http://collegelifestyles.org/2012/09/sorority-life-fall-recruitment/

Lauren Hirschhorn is a junior at Marist College and a sister of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Follow her at @lmhirschh. To stay tuned to more articles for classy co-eds be sure to follow College Lifestyles™ on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

DIY: Big/Little Gifts

Posted on October 20, 2012 by PaulineL

It’s never too early to start thinking about Big/Little gifts! Whether recruitment is in the Spring or Fall for your chapter, it’s never a bad time to show your sisters some loving. Here are some fun ideas to get you started:

A Pin Box.
Every sorority girl knows the importance of pin (aka chapter) attire. What makes the attire special is the pin—so keep it safe! Make your Big or Little a pin box. Buy a small wooden box at a craft store and paint it with your sorority or family colors.
A Bow.
Okay, so that sounds weird right? But this idea is actually adorable. Bows are the ultimate girl accessory. Make a matching Big/Little set so you can both rock them during Greek life events!

Wooden Letters.
Wooden letters are a must in the sorority world. They are easy enough to decorate so you can express yourself and your chapter. Besides the basic painted letters, add some flair by putting the letters in a picture frame. Wrapping or scrapbook paper can be used as a background for a fun and fancy plaque.

Pinnies.
A matching Big and Little pinny set can be cute, athletic and fun! Websites such as Greek Gear and Adam Block Design are great tools to customize any attire. But don’t just stop at pinnies, there are tons of other items such as tote bags and backpacks!

Want to check out more Big/Little gift ideas? Check out CL’s Top 10 Big/Little Initiation Gifts!

Sorority Chat: Hosting a Chapter Thanksgiving Dinner

Posted on October 13, 2012 by JessicaM

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and share a delicious meal with your family. This usually entails going home and not being able to celebrate with one of the most important parts of your family: your sisters. But there is no reason why you can’t celebrate with them before the holiday break! CL gives you 3 tips on how to host a great chapter Thanksgiving dinner!

Use teamwork. Just like most other sorority activities, you can’t accomplish preparing a huge meal like Thanksgiving dinner without lots of help. Divide up the menu. Have one pledge class bring appetizers, one bring sides, one bring desserts and one bring drinks. This way everyone can get involved somehow and there will be lots of food. On the day of, have some girls come over early to prepare the turkey. It wouldn’t be fair for one person to have this responsibility all on them, so do it together and have fun with it!

Seating arrangements. Make sure you have enough tables and chairs set up so everyone has a place to sit. If you have a large chapter, this could be difficult. If you don’t have a big enough room in the house to fit everyone, set up tables in different rooms. Be sure to have tablecloths on every table if you want an easy cleanup.

Give thanks. After all, it is Thanksgiving! To give your celebration a special touch, have every sister say what she is thankful for. If you’re at different tables around the house, do this before the meal all in one room so everyone can be together. You sometimes get caught up in all the stress of school that you lose track of everything you have in life. Listening to everyone say what they’re thankful for reminds you of why you love your sisters!

Don’t forget to decorate for your dinner! Check out Emily’s article to learn how to make a classy Thanksgiving wreath.

3 Tips For: The Life of a Philanthropy Chair

Posted on September 29, 2012 by MeghanK

Do you love planning events? Can you keep things organized? Are you a great promoter? Then Philanthropy Chair may be the perfect position for you! Philanthropy Chair is a great opportunity to uphold traditional events for your sorority and incorporate new ideas in your chapter. This position may seem like all fun and no work, but the Life of a Philanthropy Chair can become overwhelming. Here are three great tips to help keep you composed, confident, and happy as a Philanthropy Chair.

1. Stay organized and one step ahead
Creating a separate folder on your desktop for Philanthropy documents and making to-do lists for an upcoming event can help keep your thoughts organized and on task. There are many things you need to get approved for an event ahead of time (i.e. reserving tables, rooms, lawn space, specific times, or items). By doing these in advance you’ll avoid complications and stress.

2. Ask for volunteers
You may be the Philanthropy Chair, but don’t forget you have a whole sorority of girls there for support. For an up coming event it’s always a great idea to ask for volunteers to help with set-up, break-down, or handing out flyers. With extra hands you can achieve above and beyond!

3. Be open to new ideas
Sororities have traditional philanthropy events, but don’t be afraid to switch things up. Adding modern ideas to traditional events can work great. Check in your area for upcoming 5ks or annual drives that incorporate your philanthropy, maybe you can start a new tradition.

Top 5 “Character” Halloween Costumes

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Alli H

Character Halloween costumes can be some of the most fun and creative ideas, but it seems that many of the most common ones pop up at every party, every single year. After much research and careful consideration, CL has come up with the top five character Halloween costumes for the classiest of co-eds.

5: Candy Bars

Candy Bars are a cute way to dress as a group, yet you can still be an individual. It’s also a group costume that doesn’t need a certain number of people to complete, like many others. Someone can dress like a Snickers bar, a Reese’s Cup, Milky Way…whatever you want! This would also be a great DIY costume. Perhaps you could throw a costume-making party with some fall snacks, like Tie-Dye Cupcakes.

4: Team USA

Olympic hype is still going strong, with the US Women’s Gymnastics Team showing up in tons of commercials, ads, and magazine covers. Like candy bars, this group costume could be for three people or ten. It allows a lot of freedom as well. You can dress like Aly Raisman and your boyfriend could be Ryan Lochte, so no one sport has to be the choice for everyone (unless you want it to be). If you wish to, you could even dress like Olympians from years ago, such as Bruce Jenner or Kristi Yamaguchi.

3: The Spice Girls

A 90’s girl favorite, dressing like The Spice Girls is an all time classic and a favorite for co-eds everywhere. Gather a group of five of your closest friends, pick a spice out of a hat, and set a date to go shopping for your costumes.

2: Spears through the Years

Britney Spears has had so many different appearances, it’s almost hard to keep track of them. For this costume, collect a group of more than 4 and everyone can choose an iconic Spears image. For instance, you can dress like her infamous school girl in the “Hit Me Baby One More Time” video, someone can wear a flight attendant costume, much like the one she rocked in the “Toxic” video, and if someone is willing, be the bald Britney. With a little googling, many more can be found.

1: Seven Deadly Sins

This costume would, obviously, require seven people. Creative, cute, and you can include your own touch. This one can be a little trickier, so I’ve broken each costume down for you: Envy should be head to toe in green. Gluttony can dress like candy or wear bright colors and carry a giant candy cane. Sloth gets to wear pajamas. Lust should dress slightly sexier, but still classy (don’t get too carried away!), so no lingerie, but perhaps a cute corset top and short shorts. Pride needs to dress in something extremely flattering and should carry a mirror around, or something to look vain. Wrath, my personal favorite and perhaps allows for the most creativity, ideally would wear a lot of read and wear spiky jewelry or punk-like touches. Greed should dress like a very wealthy woman, maybe pearls around her neck and a fur jacket. She should also wear big rings, lots of makeup, and carry a lot of fake money.

Tweet us your favorite costume idea and send us a picture when you are ready for the party!

Group Interview: Double Stitch Debate

Posted on September 20, 2012 by AlyssaS

“You’re always wearing your letters.” This saying is something sorority girls are reminded of all the time. The first pair of double stitch letters a sorority girl gets is easily one of her favorite and she is proud to wear them. Double stitch letters are also called twill shirts. They are made by choosing two fabrics, a foreground fabric and a background fabric. As sorority girls we are always reminded to respect our letters and that while wearing them we represent more than just ourselves. This can spark a double stitch debate among not only organizations but chapters as well. What is appropriate to wear with letters? Where can you wear letters? How should you present yourself while in letters? Is there a right or wrong answer? Here are some answers from classy sorority ladies!

CL: What are your National rules about wearing double stitch letters?

“You cannot wear them until you are initiated.” Katie Stewart, Kappa Alpha Theta, Clemson University

“We have rules about who can make them, only licensed vendors, and places, can’t be bars or Fraternity houses or drinking.” Kat Ellis Alpha Xi Delta Youngstown State University

“No drinking, and just basically looking presentable while wearing them.” Alyssa Springer, Sigma Sigma Sigma, High Point University

“You cannot wear them while drinking or smoking” Rachel Patterson, Gamma Phi Beta, Kennesaw State

CL: What can you wear double stitch letters with?

“Nice jeans, skirts, nice looking clothes.” Katie Stewart, Kappa Alpha Theta, Clemson University

“Basically anything. As long as you don’t look like you just rolled out of bed (messy hair or makeup) and no bar stamps pleas.” Emily Lind, Alpha Gamma Delta, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

“Look presentable, do your hair, makeup etc. Wear dark jeans, nice pants and skirts.” Alyssa Springer, Sigma Sigma Sigma, High Point University

CL: What can’t you wear with double stitch letters?

“Athletic clothes or shoes.” Katie Stewart, Kappa Alpha Theta, Clemson University

“Yoga pants, sweats of any kind, when you look a hot mess.” Kat Ellis, Alpha Xi Delta, Youngstown State University

“Yoga pants, sweatpants, athletic shorts, jeans with holes.” Alyssa Springer, Sigma Sigma Sigma, High Point University

“Anything that makes you look sloppy. We’re allowed to wear them with Norts as long as our hair and makeup are done and we look presentable.” Victoria Margaret, Kappa Kappa Gamma, University of Florida

CL: Do you only buy from Greek Licensed Vendors?

“Yes.” Katie Stewart, Kappa Alpha Theta, Clemson University

“We all order from various websites we can find.” Emily Lind, Alpha Gamma Delta, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

“If I’m ordering, yes. However we do have very talented girls who make them and do a wonderful job.” Alyssa Springer, Sigma Sigma Sigma, High Point University

CL: What is your favorite pair of double stitch letters?

“I have a light pink American Apparel v-neck with a dark blue background fabric and a light blue top fabric with swordfish on it.” Katie Stewart, Kappa Alpha Theta, Clemson University

“A black American Apparel crew neck t-shirt with a silver back fabric and a pink damask over fabric with white stitching.” Emily Lind, Alpha Gamma Delta, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

“My family ones, or my Vera Bradley navy bird on a grey crew neck.” Kat Ellis, Alpha Xi Delta, Youngstown State University

“My grey v-neck shirt with white background and Lilly Pulitzer print that has elephants on it.” Rachel Patterson, Gamma Phi Beta, Kennesaw State

Share your organizations view on double stitch letters! Share your favorite pair of double stitch letters!

The Life of a Sorority Recruitment Chair

Posted on September 15, 2012 by JessicaM

With the start of classes comes one of the most exciting and stressful times in the Greek calendar — recruitment season. Everything is expected to be perfect in order to wow PNMs. It’s tough to keep sisters energized during the long retreats and even longer nights of recruitment. Recruitment would be impossible to pull off without someone leading the planning and motivating the sorority. This job is left up to the Recruitment chair.

Recruitment chairs do a lot more than make a speech during the round to thank you for coming. I had a chance to talk to Caitlin Sawyer, the recruitment chair of Phi Sigma Sigma at Hofstra University, to find out about all the hard work she does.

Caitlin Sawyer (on left) planned a Gossip Girl round for Spring 2012 Recruitment!

CL: First off, what made you want to become the recruitment chair of your chapter?

Caitlin Sawyer: I love event planning…so that’s what initially drew me to recruitment. I found it so cool that I was going to have the chance to plan everything from t-shirts and decorations to name tags. It was like a giant crafting session rolled into one and having the responsibility of planning every round right down to every detail was exciting.

CL: What is the best part of your position?

Caitlin: Planning all of the recruitment stuff and meeting PNMs. As a PNM I felt so special and cared for at these events so I love being able to give that feeling to others!

CL: What are some obstacles you face as recruitment chair?

Caitlin: An obstacle I’ve faced as recruitment chair is definitely making sure I have every single thing I need for a round. It’s so easy to forget the little things like extra tablecloths, napkins, etc.

CL: With such a long season of high-energy events, how do you get sisters motivated and excited for recruitment?

Caitlin: I try to be overly enthusiastic about events so I can pump them up. Also, staying positive usually keeps all the sisters calm during recruitment.

CL: How do you keep rounds new and exciting for PNMs to set your sorority apart from the rest?

Caitlin: When I’m planning the rounds I try to have themes that are not going to be repeated so that the room, shirts, and decorations give off a completely different vibe.

CL: What advice do you have for other recruitment chairs for this year’s recruitment season?

Caitlin: Get organized ahead of time because once it’s recruitment time your mind is moving a million miles a minute.

The life of a recruitment chair is much more involved than it seems. Without all of her behind-the-scenes work, recruitment would fall apart at the seams. For some tips on this semester’s recruitment, check out Leslie’s article Sorority Life: Fall Recruitment.

Intern Diaries: Fall Recruitment 2012

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Debra Schreiber

Fall recruitment means so many things to so many sorority sisters: bonding, getting to meet new people and really showing off your sorority spirit, to name a few. This week, College Lifestyles asked its interns their favorite thing about Fall recruitment…

My favorite thing about Fall recruitment is…because…

“Representing my sorority, because we are a great organization with great values, and it’s exciting to share that with potential new members,” Mallory Hatten, Writer.”

“Bid day! I get to spend a whole day bonding with my best friends. Plus, I get to meet over 90 new members and introduce them to the sorority,” – Blakely Grimm, Writer.

“The relaxed atmosphere, because Fall is our informal rush,” – Sarah Albert, Editor.

“How fun it is. It isn’t as structured as Spring so it is more laid back and it is easier to get to know the new girls,” – Teresa Conde, Social Media and PR.

“I am an alum, but in my chapter we do Moms and Daughters (not Bigs and Littles) and I get excited for the Baby Taus because that means we will be extending our families and I will be a great-great-great-great-great grandma,” – Samantha Schafer, Social Media.

“Talking to PNM’s. It’s so exciting and interesting to learn about new people!” – Allison Cohen, Writer.

“Meeting the potential new members. It’s great to see girls who are excited and want to be a part of your organization,” – Leslie Alston, Writer.

“Meeting all the new potential girls for any recruitment!! It’s fun, exciting, and a great way to interact with other sororities,” – Meghan Keane, Writer.

“I’m in a business fraternity, but we still do rush. Recruitment is my FAVORITE part of the year, I love meeting all of the new people and seeing their enthusiasm to join the business fraternity community!” – Sarah Gooch, Social Media.

“As a Kappa Delta, I loved Fall recruitment because it was a great time for forming new relationships and bonding with my sisters,” – Dustin Divelbiss, Writer.

“Meeting all the new girls and seeing all the new possibilities for the chapter,” – Jessica Molinari, Writer.

“Bid day! You get to see all the girls on the lawn,” – Rebecca Holliday, Social Media.

“Fall recruitment is the first big bonding activity of the semester – it’s so great to see everyone and catch up,” – Casey Galasso, Writer.

Why do you love Fall recruitment? Share with us in the comments section below.

Why I Went Through Recruitment

Posted on September 6, 2012 by Angela Skane

College is bursting with fun and new opportunities for everyone. Joining Greek life is one of those amazing opportunities. The decision to go through formal sorority recruitment is an adventure and journey to finding your home away from home. Everyone has their own reasons to go through recruitment. Check out why these classy co-eds decided to go Greek!

“I went through recruitment to carry on the Greek legacy within my family, as well as to make my transition to college a bit easier. Three years later and I’m still so grateful for choosing to join a sorority!”

Mallory Hatten, University of Southern Mississippi Senior, Phi Mu

“I went through recruitment because I didn’t know a single person at UConn.Although it was scary and a little overwhelming, being a part of Greek life has opened so many doors for me, both with opportunities in school and the job field and all over the country. I know I can go to any of my sisters’ homes wherever I am and feel like part of their family.”

Allison Cohen, University of Connecticut Junior, Kappa Alpha Theta

“I went through recruitment to try to find my niche at school. My freshman year at school wasn’t the best because I wasn’t involved in anything I felt I really belonged in. I got dragged out to recruitment by another friend but am so thankful she made me do it. It allowed me to find a group that I felt I really belonged in and totally changed my college experience for the better.”

Jessica Molinari, Hofstra University Junior, Phi Sigma Sigma

“I am the youngest of three girls and best friends with my mom. I wanted the same connection with people at school since I was away from home. I found that and more in Alpha Sigma Tau.”

Samantha Schafer BS in Psychology from Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville, Alpha Sigma Tau

“I decided to go through recruitment because I’m an only child and I’ve always wanted “sisters.” Also, it’s a great way to get involved on campus!”

Christina Hunt, University of Florida Freshman, Phi Mu

“I went through recruitment to find a group of girls who I could really connect with on a closer level. To find best friends.”

Lauren Russell, University of Central Florida Freshman, Delta Zeta

“I went through recruitment because I was looking for a home at school since I was so far from home. My school is huge (almost 40,000 students!) and I was really nervous about how I would find my niche and make friends. Going through recruitment really helped me find somewhere I could call home almost 1,000 miles away from my real home.”

Emmy Boyd, University of Missouri Sophomore, Phi Mu

If you’ve gone through recruitment, why did YOU decide to go Greek?

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Choose This, Not That: 5 Healthy, But Tasty Food Alternatives

Posted on September 4, 2012 by DustinD

Almost every social event us classy college ladies attend is surrounded by food: sorority meetings, fall parties, and outings with friends. Although fattening and sugary foods are meant to be enjoyed, that should only be the case in moderation. Here are 5 healthy alternatives to enjoy without sacrificing taste.

1. Choose whole grain toast, not pastries
On those early mornings when you’re rushing out the door, instead of indulging in a sugary pastry, pop a slice of whole
grain bread in the toaster or microwave. Pastries are empty calories- mostly highly processed sugars and carbohydrates and
nothing that actually satisfies you. They will give you an instant sugar rush, and then you will quickly crash and have no
energy. On the other hand, having a slice of whole grain toast with natural peanut butter will give you a dose of
carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats. Protein keeps you feeling full longer so you won’t feel so hungry in the middle of
the morning.

2. Choose dark chocolate, not milk chocolate
When you’re at those late night study sessions and craving something sweet, opt for yummy dark chocolate instead of milk
chocolate. While we can all agree that milk chocolate is quite tasty, it is also very high in sugar. Studies have shown
that eating a small amount of dark chocolate is good for your heart, brain, and is loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants
help free your body of radicals, which cause damage to your cells and are known to cause cancer. So eating antioxidant
rich foods like dark chocolate can slow down the aging process and also help prevent cancer.

3. Choose almonds, not potato chips
When you’re looking for that quick energizing snack between classes, choose a handful of almonds instead of greasy potato
chips. Potato chips are highly processed and generally contain a lot of fat and excess sodium, both of which can be
harmful to your body. However, almonds are full of healthy fats! Consuming 20 to 24 almonds a day promotes lower
cholesterol levels, prevents heart disease, and can help with weight loss.

4. Choose turkey burgers, not hamburgers
For a quick, easy and delightful dinner, beef burgers are delicious, but the problem with them is that they are very
fattening. This is because they are normally fried and beef is naturally high in fat. Turkey burgers are made from a much
leaner meat, which means that they are much less fattening. If you like beef burgers you will be able to find a turkey
burger recipe that you like, because the taste and texture of the two meats are very similar.

5. Choose sweet potato fries, not french fries
For a quick dinner side dish to go with that turkey burger, choose baked sweet potato fries, not french fries. French
fries are deep fried in oil, high in calorie, fat and cholesterol. Consuming too many french fries can give you a heart
attack, stroke and many other health problems. Baked sweet potato fries are full of fiber that improves heart health and
stabilizes blood sugar after a meal, full of Vitamin A, and potassium that improves your metabolism.

These healthy food alternatives will give you the necessary energy you need to sustain you throughout your busy college day! For some more tips on health foods, check out “Foods to Keep in the Dorm Room.”

Swinging Back Into Sorority

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Brittany Nicole Martinek

Eventually, all classy co-eds must face that the school year will always start back up again. As much as we want to look in the other direction, it is pertinent to be fabulous and proactive when swinging back into sorority. Need a little boost getting back into the swing of things? CL is here to help you get back into your routine!

Update Your Planner

Courtesy of Brittany Nicole Martinek

Recently I have purchased my very first Lilly Pulitzer product, an amazing jumbo planner. Once I wrote down my sorority and school schedule, I just felt so motivated to meet up with all of my sorority sisters and start the school year! Not only can a planner be fashionable, but it can also keep you organized, which is especially important during recruitment and finals week.

Attend Retreat

Courtesy of WordPress.com

Although we hate giving up our weekend to sorority, attending retreat during the first weekend of school is incredibly important. This gives the chance for all sisters to catch up where they left off when school concluded prior to summer. Also, fun and fabulous bonding activities take place, such as funyaking, (it really does exist) membership programming, midnight hikes, and pizza making dinners.

Contacting Your Sisters

Courtesy of cowenssc.co.uk

I know, pretty self explanatory right? While we all wait at home for our sorority sister to send a text about doing something at night, your sister is probably waiting at home for you to do the same thing. Send a mass text to your sisters that you’re going to the movies tonight with four extra spaces in your car. All these spur of the moment activities will bring you closer as sisters.

Do you have any tips for sorority women to swing back into Greek life? Let College Lifestyles know in the comments below!

Brittany Nicole Martinek is a Fashion and Sorority Lifestyle writer for College Lifestyles Magazine (TM). She is a proud sister of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority, thoroughly enjoys volunteering with non-profit organizations, looking on the bright side of life, and spending her pay checks on business attire.

Allison Cohen: Returning Writer…Meet Me Again!

Posted on August 16, 2012 by AllisonC

Name: Allison Cohen

Just hanging out in Sevilla, Spain before a bullfight!

Position: Health and Lifestyle Writer

College/University: University of Connecticut

Year in studies: Junior

Major/minor: Communications and Spanish

Organizational involvement: Member of Kappa Alpha Theta, Director of Strategic Fundraising for HuskyTHON

I show my school spirit by: going to football and basketball games! There, I wear all blue and white with paws on my cheeks and glitter, glitter, glitter!

My favorite thing about Fall is: Boots, tea and looking forward to the first snow!

For Halloween I will be: I don’t know yet. I usually don’t know until the weekend before, and then I scramble to put it together. It always seems to come together, but I never learn from the year before!

Neon pants – yay or nay? For me, nay. I’m not that outgoing with my wardrobe but I think if appropriately done, other people could definitely pull it off.

Twitter or Facebook? Both, but I’m more partial to Twitter. It doesn’t suck you in as much… Feel free to follow me! @alli_cohen

I love Pinterest because: not only is it a fun/productive procrastination tool, but it makes you want to work out like crazy and eat as many desserts as you can make at the same time. I’m not even mad about it, just impressed.

My favorite color is: yellow.

My pup and I saying hi!

My go-to accessory is: my Tory Burch chair purse. It goes with everything.

My favorite store is: Nordstroms.

My favorite food is: japanese. I love me some sushi!

My favorite movies/TV shows are: Movies: The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Step Brothers and basically anything with Will Ferrell in it. TV shows: Dexter, Breaking Bad, Law & Order: SVU, and more!

My favorite book is: I have a few favorites, but some that stick out in my mind are Room by Emma Donoghue and Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.

My favorite magazine is: Cosmopolitan.

My pet is: Maverick, a long-haired, miniature dachshund and the love of my life.

My favorite quote is, because: In the end, it will be okay and if it’s not okay, then it’s not the end. -Anonymous. I don’t know who said this, but whenever I’m having a rough time I always keep this in mind and it gives me the hope to go on.

My role model is, because: my mother. This sounds so cliche, but she is my hero, my best friend and the strongest woman I know. If I grow up to be half the woman she is, I will be extremely lucky.

I spend my weekends…: with my friends, family and my boyfriend. I love to surround myself with people that make me laugh!

My family and I on the highline in NYC.

I take a break from studying by…: calling my friends, boyfriend or family (see a pattern here?). It gets my mind off of my work and my butt out of the chair for a few minutes!

I de-stress by…: working out or taking a long walk!

My secret talent is: that I’m a really, really good singer. But only in the shower or when I’m driving a car.

My friends describe me as: loyal, loving and driven.

My favorite College Lifestyles article is: Group Interview: Do websites like TSM portray an accurate representation of Greek Life or do they promote stereotypes?

Why I am excited to be an intern for College Lifestyles: I was surprised at how much I loved being a summer intern for CL, and I’m back with a vengance! I can’t wait to show the readers the writing skills I have obtained over the summer. I couldn’t have don it without my editor, Alli, and the rest of the CL Team!

My definition of a classy co-ed: sophisticated, chic, organized and modest.

Allison Cohen is a Health and Lifestyle Writer. She is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta at the University of Connecticut, a lover of hiking, running and traveling, and is obsessed with her weenie dog, Maverick.

The Life of a Panhellenic President

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Alli H

Being your campus’ Panhellenic President is a fun, exciting, and challenging role. There is so much more that goes on “behind the scenes,” when meetings are not going on. Your Panhellenic President is more than the face of your sorority community. Your Panhel President does way more than run a meeting every week. I should know, I was Penn State Erie’s Panhellenic President for the 2012-2013 school year.

A typical day for me went something like this:

Wake up, look over the Panhellenic calendar for that week and see what Panhel was holding or what chapters were holding. If Panhellenic-sponsored events were being held, I checked on the constitution, to make sure we were following policies, unless otherwise decided upon.

Go to class. My mind seemed to be constantly pre-occupied with what needed to be done that day or week, especially during formal recruitment and Greek Week.

In between classes, I would head over to the Panhellenic office to do some work and office hours. There, I would check my Panhellenic email, respond to the many emails I would receive from Presidents, executive officers, delegates, people in the community (I was contacted so many times for Panhellenic to be involved with community events or campus events) or the advisor. I always kept a little sticky note in my planner so I could keep track of what I needed to include in my weekly report for the general meeting as well as the private executive board meeting. I would also use this time to touch base with my officers and committee directors.

Go back to class, feeling better if I used by time in the office wisely.

After classes, I would go home and repeat my office duties, if necessary.

Official Duties:

2 meetings with the Greek Life advisor, one that was just her and myself, and one that was her, myself, and the President of the Interfraternity Council

Meet with the Chancellor at least once a semester

Meet with delegates, presidents, and officers when necessary (at least one per week)

Attend other chapters’ events, as well as the events of the fraternities

My little, Krissy, won “Most Outstanding Chapter Member” for her efforts with Alpha Sigma Tau. In the center is Matt was awarded “Fraternity Man of the Year,” and I am on the right, holding my award for “Sorority Woman of the Year.”

Make sure officers are getting their responsibilities done

Attend “New Member Academy,” a six to eight week program our new members went through to learn about campus resources, the chapters, and Greek Life.

Chair Ad-Hoc committees from time to time

Read the Manual of Information (I tried to read a little bit each day)

Attend IFC meetings

…sometimes more!

Being the President of the Panhellenic Council was by far the most fulfilling position I have ever been blessed to hold. It was an absolutely wonderful experience and I am so sad I can’t be involved with Panhellenic in the same way (I still reach out to the new President and help her). If you are thinking about running for presidency, I would really recommend it. I learned about the other chapters on campus and really got a whole new appreciation for what it means to be in a sorority. One word of caution: Understand the time commitment and read the duties in your Panehellenic’s local constitution before accepting or running for the position!

Alli Heitzenrater is a graduate of Penn State Erie, where she earned a BFA in Creative Writing. She currently works for a marketing firm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she recently located.

Benefits of Attending Sorority Convention

Posted on August 5, 2012 by Brittany Nicole Martinek

As the events of summer are coming to an end, August is the time to reflect on the fantastic memories that took place between sisters, friends, and families. Convention is the highlight of a Greek woman’s summer, for it gives sisters the chance to interact with each other and learn the true meaning of sisterhood. Below include sisters memories, as well as the great benefits of attending a sorority convention!

An incredible benefit of attending convention is recieving the opportunity to interact with sisters from all over the United States. It opens ones eyes to a world connections and endless locations for road trips. Meeting women who are as empowered and as excited about the same organization, is a grand experience that all sisters should enjoy. In addition to meeting new sisters, truly learning about an organizations ritual, and the true meaning of sisterhood, is life changing. If any sister has the opportunity to attend a national ritual event, it would be in the best interest to experience it!

Courtesy of Jennifer Marshall

Angelina Raymond, a sister of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority states her “biggest benifit from convention was reconnecting with my sorority and remembering why I joined in the first place. It also gave me a fresh outlook on everything, and I am more willingly than ever to help my president and the rest of my chapter with anything they could possibly need. It feels like I’m a newly initiated member again!”

Ash DiCo’s favorite part about convention was all of the little moments, “waiting to enter the convention room, riding a bus to headquarters, or waiting in line at the mall next door while in line next to sisters. That is when you meet a true tau; a bunch of real women who can just be their selves and not having to worry about being business professional. One elevator ride, after a long day, my sister and I ran into members of the National Headquarters and we were talking about what kinds of pizza we want to order. The little moments make all of the difference.”

Jennifer Marshall, a chapter advisor for Delta Psi chapter, of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority, favorite part of convention “is about learning from other chapters, other advisers, national council and past presidents. The history that we share give us insight to the future. I love getting different and fresh perspectives from the collegiate women. Other chapters have so much we can learn from and they can learn from us.” It’s truly incredible, because at convention, you will have newly inducted sisters, past National Presidents, and alumnae all interacting with eachother as if they have known each other their whole lives.

Courtesy of Jennifer Marshall

Convention brings out the best in every sister in attendance, and in turn excites the chapter of women. Want to know more about convention? Take a look at Convention 101!

3 Ways to Deal with Sorority Rivalry

Posted on July 30, 2012 by MalloryH

Sororities prepare us for the future. Chapters nationwide work together to achieve goals and teach lessons which transcend into the real, working world. So it makes sense to experience friendly competition from time to time. Right? Right.

But we’ve got a problem my friends! Sometimes us sassy sorority ladies forget we are “all in this together” (sorry for the cheesy High School Musical reference!) We allow ourselves to get caught up in being the best and outdoing everyone else. To put it simply, sometimes we forget to keep it classy!

Dealing with sorority rivalry can be a real bummer. It takes away from the true value and meaning of being in a professional Greek organization. College Lifestyles breaks down the top three best ways to handle those catty rivalries the classy way!

1. Never forget where you came from! Here’s a fun fact: Most of our founders were only teenagers (sometimes as young as 14!) when they founded the chapters we are in today. That’s a pretty mature undertaking for such a young lady! Do you think our chapters were created based on how many trophies or awards we could obtain? No. Our chapters were based on values, morals, and philanthropy. If we forget to focus on those three aspects, how are we honoring the legacy of our founders? Celebrating achievements is wonderful, and you deserve to be proud. But remember to respect the hard work of fellow chapters and allow them the chance to shine too.

2. Reach out to others! It’s easy to stay within the safe, secure bubble that is your sorority. You’ve got all the friends you could need and enough fun for a lifetime. But why not step out of your comfort zone? Why not create friendships with your biggest rival? Host a joint philanthropy event on your campus, and split the proceeds evenly to benefit two charities! Have a girls’ night at your chapter house, and invite sororities to come hang out (food, movies, manis and pedis anyone?) There are so many ways to reach out and offer kindness instead of hostility.

3. Be a team player! There is nothing less classy than a sore loser. Don’t be the chapter who tears others down when outcomes aren’t what you envisioned. Instead of making it all about you, focus on making your schools’ Greek community better as a whole. Goals are more easily obtained when you have everyone working together.

The sorority experience should be positive and motivating. Like the cliché says: one bad apple spoils the bunch! Remember your ideals, your values, and your legacy.

Mallory Hatten is a Sorority and Lifestyles writer for College Lifestyles. She is a senior at The University of Southern Mississippi where she studies news-editorial journalism. She loves writing, laughter, reading magazines, and College Lifestyles!

Interview With A Greek Leader

Posted on July 29, 2012 by Brittany Nicole Martinek

Jaylee Underwood is an inspiring and active sister in Greek life, and sets a great example for sisters in giving back to their organizations. College Lifestyles sits down with Underwood, and discusses what she got out of Greek life, and how she plans to give back.

Jaylee Underwood and Brittany Nicole

CL: Tell College Lifestyles about yourself.

JU: I am a Special Education major at Western Illinois University. I am entering my last year at Western, looking to start my student teaching this coming spring! I have been involved on my campus through Cheerleading, Greek Life, and a variety of other organizations. I love my job! I work for the McDonough County Special Recreation Association servicing community members with disabilities through recreation programs and events year round. I recently became engaged to the love of my life through a picture perfect proposal, and look forward to the adventure of life after college!

CL: What made you decide to join a sorority?

JU: I was never too interested in Greek Life, especially because I had cheerleading to keep me plenty busy. My sophomore year of college came and I was looking for a new way to be involved and branch out not only with the University, but the community as well. I chose to go through Fall formal recruitment, and found my perfect match with Alpha Sigma Tau!

CL: What have you recieved from sororiity?

JU: Greek Life has provided me with amazing time management skills. It has also taught me to hold myself and others accountable for actions and responsibilities. I got exactly what I was looking for in terms of community service and philanthropic venues. I was fortunate enough to service others all around the country and experience what this service could teach me about myself! At the most recent convention, I learned about all of the ways I can stay involved and continue my sorority journey, and definitely plan to do so. Most importantly, the Alpha Epsilon chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau has provided me with a group of women who I call sisters. I have witnessed these sisters stand by each other and myself through thick and thin! It is these memories and those that are to come that make the whole experience really come together and provide reassurance that joining AST was everything I thought it would be and so much more!

CL: How has being Greek made you a leader, and gave you leadership roles?

JU: I am fortunate that being Greek has taught me all it has about being a leader. About 2 months into my official membership, I was placed on executive board as a treasurer. I was able to observe learn from the current president and other executive members. This was exactly what I needed to take on the leadership role of President. As President, I strive to provide leadership development to all members. This is because exceptional leadership is such an important skill to have in today’s world, and I am true believe that everyone can be a great leader in their own unique way!

CL: Do you have any tips for women who want to advance in their Greek organization?

JU: I am all about setting goals! I believe that if you see something that you could see yourself doing, or you have a role that you could see yourself in, set goals to lead you to your desire! For example, if you want to run for recruitment director of your organization, set some personal goals to achieve this! These goals could be to read up on the recruitment rules to really understand the process, serve as a recruitment assistant, or even simply showing up to every event to show dedication to your chapter and it’s success and growth! Also important is to ask your sisters for advice! Sometimes you might not realize what you would excel in, and it’s great to get that validation from your sisters!

CL: Now that you’re serving on the National Nominations Committee, how do you plan on giving back to your National Organization?

JU: I feel that this step onto the National Nominations Committee is exactly what I needed to open my eyes to all that can be accomplished after the collegiate journey! As a member of the Nominations Committee, I will have the opportunity to search out new candidates for our National Officers who will carry on the legacy of Alpha Sigma Tau! Seeing all of the amazing alumnae women at convention who are still so involved truly motivated me to do as much as I can for the National Organization. I look forward to volunteering for the National Organization and doing all that I can to help the organization continue to do amazing things!

Let College Lifestyles know if you know great Greek women who are great leaders in your community!

Why Your Sorority Needs A Recruitment Video

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Tiana Blue

Photo courtesy of unk.edu

Coming from a non-Greek perspective, sorority rush appears to be one of the most stressful points in a lady’s experience before pledging and being formally inducted as a sorority sister. Everyone has different ways of coping with anxiety, but it looks as though there’s a trend in how women from the chapter side of recruitment help potential rushees relax: recruitment videos.

Over the last few years, fall and spring sorority recruitment videos from campuses across the country have gone viral, bringing in tens of thousands–and in some cases hundreds of thousands–of views. You can shop around all day for sorority recruitment recordings, ranging from Kappa raps to University of Wisconsin’s reasons to go Greek video. Many young women (especially those who’ve dreamt of honorably wearing Greek letters) find these videos to be exciting, making them even more pumped to begin the rushing process.

Photo courtesy of onlinedegree.org

Since the main purpose of recruitment videos is to reach out to potential new members, below are responses from three classy, non-Greek ladies (and also CL team members!) about what they got out of viewing two compilations, one from Alpha Xi Delta and another from Alpha Gamma Delta’s Delta Iota chapter. If your sorority’s thinking about getting a recruitment piece together, throw your letters on and get to recording because they’re sure to reel in an enthusiastic bunch of rushees. Click the links below and check out both fabulous videos via Youtube!

AXID RECRUITMENT 2011

Loving Life in AGD – Delta Iota Recruitment 2012

Nicole Veenstra, Fashion and Lifestyle Writer

“I’m not in a sorority and never really had a desire to be in one, but I thought both of the videos offered a nice and unique look into what the two sororities were all about.

I thought the one for AXID was a little long, but I liked being able to hear from multiple girls in the sorority. I think girls who are interested would benefit from seeing what the members are like.

The parody of young, wild and free was definitely cute! I loved seeing all the girls have fun with each other. Those who are interested would love to watch a video like this if they are friendly, creative and fun loving!”

Amber Ferguson, Senior Editor and Features Writer

“The AXID video features personal stories from sorority sisters that non-greek girls usually don’t hear. The pictures, involvement and activities shown look really fun. One of the best things in the video was the community service and philanthropy that the sorority has done.

Aww, the AGD video really embodies sisterhood. I love it. It makes me want to join! I like that they shot the video outside their sorority house. They were all decked out in their Greek gear, too, and it showed they have a fun spirit.”

Lauren Mazzo, Health and Lifestyle Writer

“I think the idea of a recruitment video is very effective. It lets me look into different sororities without knowing anything about them, truly getting a feel for what each one is about.

I liked the first video a lot because the interviews with the girls answered any questions I might have about joining a sorority. It definitely helped to meet a few different girls and get a feel for what that sorority is like. Because it’s put together so professionally, it leaves a good impression and it makes me think they are all very dedicated to their sorority.

The second video was very cute and creative, and it seems like those girls have a lot of fun together. If I saw a video like this, I would definitely look into the sorority because it showcased the different aspects of sorority life, as well as showing the general personality of the group of girls.”

So what are you ladies waiting for? Get to video making and start a new semester off right!

Tiana Blue is a senior editor and features writer for College Lifestyles. She enjoys bargains, a good empanada, being New York-bred, and taking off her stilettos after a long day’s work.

Sorority Recruitment Fashion for Active Sisters

Posted on July 21, 2012 by Brittany Nicole Martinek

Recruitment resembles a national holiday for active Greek women. This event can last over the course of one weekend, one week, or a longer period of time. Active sisters plan recruitment months in advance, as well as the fashionable ensembles that the sisters will be wearing. Below are examples and ideas of attire for active Greek women during recruitment.

Informational Evening

Courtesy of the Delta Psi chapter of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority

“You never have a second chance at a first impression” and at the initial interest meeting, presenting yourself as a cohesive sisterhood is essential. A great first step in the right direction can be done through looking your best. Dressing alike during “info night” allows potential new members to view the sisterhood as a unit, as well as proudly showcasing an organization that is close to the heart. Wearing unity t-shirts or specific recruitment t-shirts with khaki’s or a uniformed pant will be perfect for this evening.

Themed Evening

Courtesy of the Delta Psi chapter of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority

A themed or philanthropic evening is typically what takes place on the second night of recruitment. This consists of games, philanthropic activities, refreshments, and fun! Be creative with this evening, especially with the sisters ensembles. For example, have all in attendance dress in a Hawaiian fashion, or have a red carpet evening with gowns. Always keep in mind of what activites will be taking place that evening. Sorority women are classy women, so do not wear an incredibly short hawaiian dress if an activity is playing twister.

Preference Evening

Courtesy of the Delta Psi chapter of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority

Preference is an evening where active Greek women invite potential sisters whom they are very interested in, or want to get to know better. This event can take place as a tea in the afternoon, or a black tie affair in the evening. Either way, wearing the proper recruitment fashion is a must.

Let College Lifestyles know what your chapter does during recruitment! Sharing ideas helps all Greek organizations better themselves!