In this issue: Page 1: HuskyTHON; Greek Week Page 2: Arête Awards; Order of Omega Page 3: Senior Spotlight; Spring Break Tips Page 4: Greek of the Month; NGLA Recap Page 5: Congratulations; Opportunities http://www.greeklife.uconn.edu/
Upcoming Senior Events Greek Etiquette Dinner & Networking Reception: Sunday, April 15, 2012 5:00pm to 7:30pm, Alumni Association Building
Job searching? These events are for you! 3/21/12 Job Search Tips for Seniors 5:00-6:00 PM CUE 134 3/28/12 Interviewing Workshop for Seniors 4:00-5:00 PM CUE 134 3/29/12 Just In Time Career Fair 11:00 AM2:00 PM SU Ballroom
Searching for a summer internship? These events are for you! 3/6/12 5 Steps to Find-st ing an nd Internship for 1 and 2 Year Students 5:00-6:00 PM CUE 122 3/7/12 Master www.internship.uconn. edu 2:00-3:00 PM Homer Babbidge Library, EC1
Congratulations and a big thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s HuskyTHON event, raising a record $304,375.27! Whether you were a dancer, a morale captain, a volunteer, or donated to the cause, your hard work and dedication to the families of the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center has certainly paid off! Greek Life alone raised a whopping $162,889.66 for the kids, and with this year’s record high fundraising totals, HuskyTHON is now one of the top ten dance marathons in the country! The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life can’t wait for HuskyTHON 2013! Let’s continue to fundraise and aim even higher for next year! #FTK!
The Week Zeus Got Loose! Watch out everyone! Zeus is Loose on UConn’s Campus and Greek Week 2012 is quickly approaching! From March 31st to April 4th, teams will be battling for the coveted title of the 2012 Greek Week Champions! All chapters have been placed on teams representing Greek Gods and Goddesses and will soon compete in a week long challenge, including events such as the fundraising challenge, Greek games, canned food castle competition and more! We hope to see full participation in all events and unity among chapters in each group! We look forward to see which team will win the title of Greek Week Champs!
Congratulations to the 2012 Arête Awards Recipients! Fraternity of the Year Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ)
Sorority of the Year Kappa Alpha Theta (ΚΑΘ)
Outstanding Sorority Advisor Elise Boutin (ΔΓ)
Highest Average Chapter GPA Kappa Alpha Theta (ΚΑΘ)
Outstanding Faculty/Staff Member Leo Lachut, Student Support Services
Outstanding Chapter President Michael Pollack-Twomey (ZBT) Maria McCool (ΑΦ)
Outstanding Fraternity Advisor Alexander Ortega, (ΛΑΥ) Apologies to the following finalists who were not recognized at the awards ceremony: Charlie Devita (ΒΘΠ) for Fraternity Man of the Year, and Laura Matlin (KAΘ) for Outstanding Greek Senior.
Congratulations to the New Order of Omega Candidates!
Fraternity Man of the Year Nicholas Carroll (ΚΣ)
Hannah Cotton-ΑΕΦ Chelsea Ackerman-ΚΚΓ Cristhian H. Bedon-ΛΑΥ Eric Vaheb-ΚΣ Brien Buckman-FIJI Kimberly Philopena-ΔΓ Meg Ferguson-ΦΣΡ Courtney Robishaw-ΑΕΦ Monica Vaughn-Flam-ΚΑΘ Samantha Strazza-ΑΕΦ Lauren Reinmann-ΠΒΦ Lauren Keesling Cunningham-ΚΑΘ Ariana Giacco-ΔΓ Chastity Flores-ΛΘΑ Gee Jung-ΚΦΛ Harrison Fuchs-ΣΑΕ Bryant Dominguez-ΛΑΥ Allison McNamara-ΚΚΓ Patrick Ouellette-ΣX Matthew Baier-ZBT
Highest New Member GPA Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ) Outstanding Greek Senior Neal Stewart (ΒΘΠ) Hillary Siddons (ΠΒΦ) Outstanding Chapter Management Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ) Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. (ΜΣΥ)
Lindsay L. Sell Outstanding Panhellenic Woman Samantha Simons (ΚΑΘ) Outstanding Member Development Program Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) Delta Gamma (ΔΓ) Outstanding Scholar Matthew Dempsey (ΒΘΠ) Eileen Semancik (ΚΑΘ) Excellence in Ritual and Values Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ) Phi Sigma Rho (ΦΣΡ) Outstanding Risk Management and Reduction Program Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ) Kappa Alpha Theta (ΚΑΘ) Outstanding Academic Achievement Program Alpha Epsilon Pi (ΑΕΠ) Kappa Alpha Theta (ΚΑΘ)
Sorority Woman of the Year Vanessa Ball (ΠΒΦ)
Outstanding Community Involvement Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) Outstanding New Member Program Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ) Delta Zeta (ΔZ) Outstanding Campus Involvement Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ) Delta Gamma (ΔΓ) Outstanding Council Officer Michael Mizrahi (IFC) Breanna Gabriel (Panhellenic) Most Improved Greek Scholar Jonathan Caez (ΛΑΥ) Destiny Printz (ΖΦΒ) Outstanding External Relations Program Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity, Inc. (ΛΑΥ) Delta Gamma (ΔΓ) Most Improved Chapter Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity, Inc. (ΛΑΥ) Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. (ΛΘΑ) Outstanding Alumnus/Alumna Nella Signorello (ΛΘΑ) Outstanding Recruitment and Retention Program Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity, Inc. (ΛΑΥ) Kappa Alpha Theta (ΚΑΘ) Emerging Greek Leader Colin Schlank (ΑΕΠ) Deneisha Lindsay (ΜΣΥ)
Outstanding Greek Volunteer Lourdes Molleda (ΔΓ)
$$ Fundraising Challenge $$ This year, participate in the new Fundraising Challenge supported by Greek Week, OFSL, and the UConn Foundation! Tuition Runs Out Day 2012 will take place on Wednesday, March 28 to symbolize when state funding and tuition funds run out and private giving kicks in. Organization members have the opportunity to donate to the “Greek Life Affairs” account through the UConn Foundation and earn points toward their Greek Week team’s total. For every dollar a team member donates to Greek Life Affairs, their Greek Week team will earn one point. The competition has BEGUN, but will end at 11:59pm on Tuition Runs Out Day - Wednesday, March 28! To donate, click here and under details of the gift, select Greek Life Affairs (under the Division of Student Affairs). You can make the gift anonymously or in honor/memory of someone else. Take this opportunity to support your Greek Week Team during the Week Zeus Got Loose 2012 and also give back to your UConn Greek community. Proceeds will be used directly to support our Greek students.
Senior Spotlight From her nominator: Marissa Martini is truly an incredible Greek senior. She served Kappa Alpha Theta’s Alternate Panhellenic Delegate in 2009, VP of Membership in 2010, and Alumnae Relations Chairwoman in 2011. In the Greek community, she has been a member of the Greek Leadership Team and Order of Omega, the Director of Administration for Recruitment Management Team, and presented at the 2012 Emerging Greek Leaders Conference. She is also involved in the UConn community as well. Marissa served as Vice President of the National Society of Leadership and Success, and works as an Off -Campus Community Leader in the Office of Student Services and Advocacy. Marissa is also dedicated to service outside of the UConn campus. This past summer Marissa and her sister organized a shipment of soccer uniforms overseas that were delivered to children living in Afghanistan, and for this upcoming semester, Marissa, her father, and sister are working on collecting books that will be sent to U.S. troops stationed overseas!
Marissa Martini Kappa Alpha Theta
Alpha Phi’s King of Hearts! King of Hearts was a great success this year! We raised over $3000 for the American Heart Association. Thank you to everyone who participated and came to support their organizations! Congratulations to our new King of Hearts, Carlos Reyes of Pi Kappa Alpha and to our second and third place winners, Drew Arcoleo of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Sean Yessayan of Kappa Sigma!
Spring Break Tips Spring Break is upon us, and while it can be an exciting time for those who are going on a sunny vacation, it can also be dangerous! Follow these tips to stay safe during this year’s spring break!
Do your research. Find a safe hotel (not a hostel) that is recommended by the large majority of reviewers. Stick to your budget. The fight and hotel can be expensive enough as it is, so spend your money wisely throughout the week. Stay in groups. There will be large crowds wherever you go, so make sure to stay in groups at all times and keep your valuables/money away from pick-pockets. Be responsible. Spring break should be fun, but don’t go overboard. Know your limits, as well as the laws of the area you are staying in. Remember, you are always wearing your letters. Wherever you go, you represent your organization. Make a positive name for your fraternity or sorority by making good decisions throughout your vacation.
ΣΧ Derby Days!
Between March 19th and 26th, the brothers of Sigma Chi will be wearing colored Derbies that you can take to gain points for your team! For example, Monday is “Sig Trivia”, so if you see a brother on campus go up to him and ask him to ask you his trivia question! If you get it right, you’ll get his Derby! Penny wars and T-shirts will be sold in the Student Union Monday March 19 through Friday March 23 Monday March 19: Sig Trivia; Teds “All You Can Eat” Wings $10 5-8pm (Part of cover charge goes to Huntsman Cancer Institute)
Greeks of the Month This is what her nominator had to say: Vanessa Ball is an outstanding sister as well as an outstanding member of the Panhellenic community. Vanessa has demonstrated strong leadership skills. She has held numerous positions within Pi Phi, Panhellenic and the Connecticut community. She has a large presence in the HuskyTHON fundraisers and is always busy working to make HuskyTHON an even greater success . She is a resident assistant for Husky Village and is always available to help all of Greek Life living in the village. In the Panhellenic community, Vanessa has worked on the executive board as Vice President of Administration and was the chair of the exploratory extension committee working to get a new sorority onto the UConn campus. Vanessa demonstrates her dedication to service, through her work with the Connecticut Children’s Medical center. She works so hard to make this fundraiser even more successful than it was last year. She is truly inspiring with how much she devotes to this amazing cause. Vanessa always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude and never looks for anything in return.
Tuesday March 20 Chase a Sig Wednesday March 21 Make a Sig Smile; Derby Decathalon Thursday March 22 Pie a Sig at Fairfield Way Friday March 23 Sign a Sig Monday March 26 Sweetheart Pageant at 6pm, Student Union Ballroom ($2 entry fee) The Ladies of the Lambda Tau Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha would like to thank the entire UConn community for their support of the Exposing Exploitation: A Human Trafficking Awareness Conference, held February 3-4 in the Student Union Theater. All proceeds raised from this event were donated to the New York-based non-profit human trafficking awareness organization, GEMS.
Michael Pavia Kappa Sigma
Vanessa Ball Pi Beta Phi
This is what his nominator had to say: Michael Pavia is an integral part of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. You can always find Michael at every chapter, philanthropy, community service event, and whenever a fallen Brother is in need of help. As one of the main executive members in our chapter Michael oversees several committees, the most important committee he oversees is our Recruitment committee. Michael successfully implements a values-based, 365 recruitment program and has carried his vision successfully for 365 rush onto this current semester, developing a plan of action for our chapter to continue on this path. Michael’s most recent accomplishment is as a Morale Captain for HuskyTHON. Michael motivated 100% of the newly initiated Brothers to sign up to be a dancer or volunteer for HuskyTHON, a feat that we have never seen before by a Brother. His words of encouragement make us all take our oath as a Brother of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity much more seriously.
Northeast Greek Leadership Association Conference From February 23-25, 35 Greek students and OFSL staff members attended the 12th annual Northeast Greek Leadership Association (NGLA) Conference in Hartford, CT representing the UConn Greek community. The weekend was filled with interactive icebreakers, connecting with brothers and sisters from other universities, networking with professionals, and leadership programs. NGLA allowed participants to explore fresh ideas, inspired abilities, and the common belief that a values-based existence brings all of us together, regardless of campus, age, or affiliation. Coming back, we now have the knowledge, ability, and skills to solve the challenges that our UConn Greek community faces by implementing newly enhanced programs and initiatives within our chapters, organizations, and councils. The NGLA Conference is a remarkable leadership opportunity, so look forward to the chance to participate next year. Additionally, congratulations to the Interfraternity Council for their exciting accomplishments. UConn IFC was honored with the Amy Vojta IMPACT Awards for Risk Reduction, and Chapter Development & Leadership at NGLA!
Interested in learning about volunteer opportunities for your chapter? The Office of Community Outreach would love the opportunity to speak to chapters about the community service opportunities our office provides! For more information or to sign up for a presentation, please email Emily Silber at uconn.co.promotions @gmail.com
Happy Founder’s Day to: Pi Kappa Alpha (3/1/1868), Sigma Alpha Epsilon (3/9/1856), Kappa Phi Lambda (3/9/1995), and Delta Gamma (3/14/1873)! Congratulations! To submit an article or event information for future newsletters email Kaitlin Latham: student1498@ad.uconn.edu
Submissions are due on the 15th of the month for the information to appear in the next newsletter
Starting this month, the Greek Community Newsletter will feature a theme that centers around a key aspect of Greek Life. This month’s theme is RITUAL.
What does “living your ritual” mean?
We’ve all been through initiation to learn our organizations’ ritual, but do we truly understand its importance? Do we all recognize how our ritual connects us to the ideals and values that our founders based our organizations on? Ritual reminds us of our values and inspires us to uphold those values through every action we take. It connects you with your brothers and sisters, not only here at UConn, but each and every one across the nation. You ‘wear your letters’ from the moment you are initiated, and your actions either positively or negatively represent your chapter at all times. While our actions may seem small and insignificant, skipping class or speaking negatively about another chapter is not in line with any organization’s ritual. If you remain true to yourself and your organization, you will always “live your ritual” and remind society of all the great things that the Greek Community can accomplish!
Rage on the Same Page! Campuspeak is offering a half-year paid internship ideal for individuals interested in higher education, public relations, event managing, small business/ entrepreneurship, business, logistics, association management, etc.. This Fall 2012 internship will take place in Aurora, CO and comes with a furnished townhouse located one mile from the Campuspeak office. The intern will be working with the Interactive Workshops Director to set up and manage campus appearances by the Facilitator Team. He or she will work directly with customers at campuses across the country, helping them plan numerous successful workshops. The deadline to apply for this internship is Thursday, March 15. Click here to learn more and to apply for this internship.
The Rage on the Same Page Campaign aims to reduce problems related to college student drinking at parties in the Mansfield and University of Connecticut community. It focuses on creating a safe party environment by building a close sense of community between students and neighbors, promoting safety at parties, and increasing enforcement of alcohol-related laws and policies. The Rage on the Same Page campaign is designed to give you some ideas on how to have a good time while reducing risk. If all hosts, guests, neighbors and law enforcement can "rage on the same page" and respect one another - everyone will stay safe, avoid conduct issues, and make the community a better place.
Please visit www.rageonthesamepage.com for more information about this campaign!
Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc. at the University of Connecticut has officially been promoted from Associate Chapter to the status of the Omega Chapter on January 7, 2012. This official letter designation symbolizes the fraternity’s respect on a national level, capabilities to carry out its mission, and independence. Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc. was established here at the University of Connecticut on April 12, 2008 by 12 men with a mission to enhance the Asian-American voice. The fraternity continues to grow, and through our fraternal motto, “Excellence Through Brotherhood,” we currently stand at 43 brothers that uphold the fraternity’s four pillars: Academic Achievement, Cultural Awareness, Righteousness, and Friendship & Loyalty. It has been a lengthy and challenging road to achieve this national recognition, yet it is also the start of a much more challenging journey- to represent the Husky Greek Life and raise the standards in all facets. The Brothers of the Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc. at the University of Connecticut would like to share the pride and excitement of this achievement! We will be wearing our black-white-and-red lettered jerseys on the fourth anniversary of our chapter’s founding, April 12, 2012. Don’t be shy- say hi to a brother and celebrate the proudest accomplishment of the newly established Omega Chapter of Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc.! —The Brothers of Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc.