V OL UM E 9
IS SU E 4
DE C 2013/ J AN 2014
UNI VE R SI TY O F C ON NEC TI CU T F RA TER NI T Y & S O RO RI T Y C O MM U NI TY NE W S LET TE R
WWW.GREEKLIFE.UCONN.EDU In This Issue:
Project Arête due Friday 12/6 Let this message serve as a final reminder to all chapters that Project Arête for the Fall 2013 Semester is due to the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life in SU 315 this Friday (12/6) by 12 noon.
Page 1: Project Arête; Congrats December Grads! Page 2: ΔΓ Late Night Recap; ΣAE Backpack Relay; KΦΛ New Members; ΠBΦ & ΦΣR Volunteer at Camp Horizons Page 3: ΣΓR Founder’s Day; New OFSL Website Launched! Page 4: ΣΛΥ Founder’s Celebration Page 5: Greeks of The Month Page 6: Senior Spotlights Page 7: Greek Week 2014; Happy Holidays & Happy New Year Page 8: Unconditional Love & Support—A Letter From TKE
Arête Awards 2014
Know an outstanding member of the community that should be recognized with an Arête Award?
Click here to nominate that someone. Deadline is January 5, 2014.
Delta Zeta Late Night Recap On November 14th, the 49 newly initiated sisters of Delta Zeta hosted a Late Night Cinnabuns event in Husky Village from 9 PM to 1 AM. We would like to thank everyone who came out and supported Delta Zeta and welcomed our newest members into our community. We were able to raise over $315 and all of the money will be donated to HuskyTHON to benefit the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
SAE Back Pack Relay Recap
Phi Sigma Rho and Pi Beta Phi
On November 9th, the brothers of Sigma Alpha Epsilon held their 3rd Annual Back Pack Relay race across campus, raising funds for the Children and Family Center of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The competition is an 8 leg relay race where teams collect school supplies along the route and finish with a full backpack which is then donated to underprivileged youth. With two races, male and female, the sisters of Delta Gamma and the brothers of Alpha Delta Phi took first place. Overall, the event was a success with around $500 raised and over 8 full backpacks were donated.
Volunteer at Camp Horizons
The sisters of Pi Beta Phi and Phi Sigma Rho volunteered at Camp Horizons on November 17th. The two sororities were Homecoming partWelcomes Their New Members ners and were happy to have the opportunity to The Sisters of the Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority Inc. are proud to prework together as Greeks to give back to the comsent their newest members! They have welcomed 10 aspiring munity. Camp Horizons is an organization that women into their sigma class of the Fall 2013 semester. These provides recreational and work support and prowomen have worked hard this semester, and were able to put on grams for children and adults with developmental their chapter's first class reveal on Thursday, November 14th at the Student Union terrace. At the reveal the women got a chance to disabilities. The camp, located in South Windham, showcase their class, their pride in the sorority, and introduce has group living homes, recreational facilities, and themselves to different greek organizations all around camdaily programs in need to maintenance. The group pus. The program educators, Kassandra Lai and Helena Zhang were introduced as well, and they were more than proud to see of 22 Greek volunteers helped to clean the their women having the time of their lives performing on stage. campground, make beds in the group homes, preWithout further ado, the new members and their nicknames are pare rooms for camper activities and organize the as follows: recreational gym. It was a rewarding experience and the campers and staff were very grateful for Samantha Leong *11th Hour*, Ngoc-Huong Tu *Kikyo*, Jessica their hard work. The sisters of Pi Beta Phi and Phi Hong *Gienah*, Annie Sung *Angelite*, Jessica Soares *Lady M*, Carol Ly *BLACK LABEL*, Sarah McManus *Trill*, Shanygne Sigma Rho highly recommend Camp Horizons to Campo *Claret*, Jane Lin *A.D.A*, and Lily Nguyen *IllimetĂŠ* the rest of the Greek community as a wonderful place to volunteer. Congratulations and welcome to Greek life!
Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated Celebrates Founders Day On November 12, 2013, the illustrious Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated turned 91 years old. The Nu Mu Chapter at the University of Connecticut celebrated by giving away their annual birthday cake. In celebration of the anniversary of our founding, the Nu Mu Chapter would like to share this message: HERstory began under the most bluest of skies with a sun so golden that it could only have been created to denote the birth of RHOyalty. On that faithful day 91 years ago, it began, seven mighty women came together for one purpose to birth what over 90,000 women are honored to hold to our hearts today; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. It was no act of serendipity that intRHOduced this organization to the world. It was through the hopes, dreams, and the desire of seven women who wanted to answer an unanswered call to stand together as women; as women of color in an unfriendly climate to build an institution that would greatly impact the quality of life and pRHOgress society through service.
OFSL Launches Our New Website! After receiving great feedback from all of our community, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life is proud to announce the launch of our new and improved website! To the left is a screenshot of the new homepage equipped with quick links to the current LifeTimes issue, recruitment information, ArĂŞte forms and more!
As technology continues to change we are ready to embrace the advancements that will be made. The OFSL encourages your feedback and input. Any content corrections or suggestions can be directed to Jamel Catoe, Assistant Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life.
Founder’s Celebration
Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Incorporated was founded December 1, 1987 at Binghamton University by Founding Mothers Cynthia Santiago, Adriana Zamora, Carmen Ibeth Garcia-Quinones and Carol Elizabeth Torres. SLU’s vision as an organization was to not only serve as a voice for women in an academic setting, but also provide sincere sisterhood and unconditional support while actively promoting academic achievement, service to the community, and cultural enrichment. SLU highly prides itself as an organization of diverse college-educated (collegiate) and professional women dedicated to uplifting traditionally marginalized groups, especially Latinos and women, by serving as a voice and means for empowerment. Since 1987, SLU has been an outlet for professional development and personal growth to its members and serving constituents. The Sorority's impact can be seen in the outstanding accomplishments of their Hermanas, the young women they have mentored through their LADYS and PEARLS mentoring programs, and through the lives of all the people the Sorority has touched via their many literacy initiatives. Thus, proving to colleges and communities that women of color can make a difference.
This December marks 26 years of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Incorporated. Annually in December, Hermanas from across the globe unite with our esteemed guests, champions, community leaders, friends, and family at a national convention to recognize Hermanas and chapters that have demonstrated excellence in promoting our organizations values, honor key community leaders, and celebrate our Hermandad's professional and personal growth. This annual event provides Hermanas and guests with the opportunity to enhance their development as students, campus and community leaders, and professionals. The theme of this year’s convention is "The Transformative Power of Sisterhood," which honors what began with only four visionary women in 1987 and has grown into a powerful body of over eight hundred women on over forty different campuses nationwide (and counting) and it will be hosted at our Omega Chapter at Old Dominion University in Virginia.
Vinny Bonaparte, KΣ
Brie Scully, ΓΦB
There are few people who take Greek Life by storm the way that Vinny has. Within just half of a semester of being a newly initiated brother of Kappa Sigma Vinny has: graduated UIFI, set-up three different community service events, was awarded the first IFC Grant award to fund buses for Making Strides for all members of Greek Life, led Kappa Sigma in their efforts for the Miracle Walk with the sisters of Delta Gamma, and organized a joint effort for Kappa Sigma's Husky Halloween with Pi Beta Phi and Phi Sigma Rho. The kid is on fire! Vinny still has many surprises up his sleeve for the coming semester. Vinny exemplifies true leadership and uses his passion for service to mobilize our chapter to constantly do more for the community. As a senior, watching Vinny's efforts inspires me to challenge myself for what I can do for my chapter. Brie stands out as a strong scholar in her sorority Gamma Phi Beta. Not only has she worked hard throughout her four years to earn her dual degree in communications and sports management. She has taken summer and intersession classes along with extra credits each semester to finish in four years. Even with such an intense workload, Brie was able to consistently make dean's list, work in admissions and currently has an internship with the Athletics department! In addition to being an outstanding student, Brie is also an amazing sister. As one of the charter sisters of Gamma Phi Beta, she is extremely involved and attends every event. She is always around to lend a hand to sisters and help out younger members with everything they need! Although her time was too short to hold a position, she encourages others (including her little who will serve as Panhellenic Affairs VP!)
Anthony Reid is the President of the Zeta Theta chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. He has done an excellent job "building a tradition, not resting upon one." He's been actively arranging how the chapter is running to make the chapter and it's members grow. He is an exceptional brother. He goes above and beyond the line of duty for the things he does in the chapter as well as being the liaison between the graduate chapter in Connecticut and is part of the committee to the Grand Historian for the Fraternity as a whole. He is very knowledgeable about the history in the chapter and of the fraternity because of his involvement at the national level while still being an undergraduate student. Whenever there is a question concerning the history of the organization you best believe that he has the answer to it. He loves his chapter and the brothers that come through it because he compares them (us) as the brothers he never had. He is very engaged with other Greekorganizations and he has strong ties to them making him a very resourceful individual. The Zeta Theta Chapter is very fortunate to have such an amazing individual leading the chapter where it needs to go.
Anthony Reid, IΦΘ
Jana Munoz is a senior and sister of Gamma Phi Beta. Jana is an amazing sister and lives true to all of Gamma Phi Beta's core values. She is the first person to call if you ever need advice, math help, or just a sister to talk to. She is the Arête Chairwoman and President Elect for the upcoming 2014 term. Jana is a double major in NEAG for elementary education and CLAS for Mathematics. She loves student teaching her first graders, which is just one way she lives out the academic achievement pillar of Greek Life. Jana can also be spotted around campus while she works as a Tour Guide for UCONN. Jana loves UCONN Greek Life. She is the Special Events Coordinator on the Greek Week Management Team. Most importantly, Jana is an amazing sister and one of the most loyal friends anyone could ask for. Her Gamma Phi Beta sisters mean the world to her and she always goes to extra mile for her sorority. She truly knows what it means to be a sister and an exemplary Jana Munoz, ΓΦB member of the Greek community. She exemplifies all four pillars of Greek Life through her academics, service and philanthropy, leadership and sisterhood.
Jill has been an outstanding sister of Gamma Phi Beta since the day she joined. Jill was our first scholarship chairwomen and put into place a great system for our sisters. She takes her job very seriously and is always around to answer an academic questions or give out any advice. Jill also shows great sisterhood with her constant uplifting tweets and supportive words. While doing extremely well in school and being an active member of Gamma Phi, Jill is also a manager for the women's basketball team. Jill is a great example of a Greek who balances her time well while succeeding in everything she does. Jill has been an amazing sister in Gamma Phi, and she really deserves to be recognized for that. Jill Kowalski, ΓΦB Sachin is a senior brother of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, and has been a role model for younger brothers throughout his time. Sachin is a communications major with a entrepreneurship minor, he hopes to begin work next year in either Boston or New York for a global marketing company. After that he hopes to one day be transferred to either his hometown of Dubai or some other global city in which he can continue his work. This spring Sachin will be entering his 4th semester as a member of the Kappa Sigma Executive Committee, 3 semesters as Grand Scribe and this spring he will be the new member educator. He has also held many other positions within the fraternity including assistant grand scribe, communications chair, and rush chair. Sachin's work however is not limited to the fraternity however, he has maintained one of the highest GPA's within the fraternity and is known for his service to our community. He led the way with setting up some of the brotherhood community service projects and has had a 100% attendance rate at every community service opportunity since becoming a brother, this HuskyTHON will be his 3rd year in a row participating all of which he has done while staying for the full time. Sachin is a leader within the chapter and to anyone else who knows him. He demonstrates the pillars of greek life in every way possible and the Kappa Sigma fraternity is fortuSachin Manghnani, KΣ
Greek Week 2014 Hop on board and get excited for Greek Week 2014!! This years theme is board games with options like Jumanji, Candyland, Monopoly, Battleships, Guess Who, Operation, Life & Clue! Below are the finalized teams. 1. ZBT, FIJI, Lambda Theta Phi, Alpha Kappa Alpha & Gamma Phi Beta 2. Delta Gamma, Phi Sigma Rho, Lambda Alpha Upsilon, & TKE 3. Kappa Sigma, Kappa Phi Lambda, Lambda Upsilon Lambda, and Pi Beta Phi 4. AEPhi, Beta Chi Theta, Sigma Lambda Upsilon, & Sigma Chi 5. Kappa Kappa Gamma, Iota Phi Theta, Lambda Theta Alpha, & Beta Theta Pi 6. AEPi, SAE, Sigma Gamma Rho, & Delta Zeta 7. Kappa Alpha Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, Pi Delta Psi, & PIKE 8. ADP, Alpha Kappa Lambda, Delta Epsilon Psi, Mu Sigma Upsilon, & Alpha Phi
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year’s!! The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life would like to wish everyone a very warm and happy holiday season! In light of the new year, we would like to invite you all to share with us a New Year’s Resolution of yours. Please keep your submissions appropriate and we will select a number of responses to be featured in the next issue of LifeTimes. The form can be found here.
In regards to the February issue of LifeTimes, please send all submissions to J.C. Gonzalez by Wednesday, January 29th at 5pm. Please keep in mind that all Senior Spotlight and Greek of The Month submissions are to be filled out on the OFSL UConntact page under the Forms tab.
Greek Emerging Leaders Conference 2014
The Call for Programs for the GELC 2014 is now open! Please consider submitting a program and pass the news along to others who you think might be interested. The form for program proposals can be found here.
The OFSL wishes everyone the best of luck on final exams and with the end of the semester. We look forward to another exciting and productive year together!
Unconditional Love & Support On Saturday night, October 12, our house at 91 Willington Hill Road suffered a terrible fire. The former inhabitants of “The Bungalow” were notified of the fire, and upon arriving at the house, instantly discovered they had probably lost everything.
Within 24 hours, the UConn and Greek Community came to our aid.
Friends and family contacted us and asked if there was anything they could help with. We were given toiletries and essentials, shampoo, deodorant. Mothers of sorority sisters took the time out of their lives to drive up to Storrs and drop off buckets of clothes. The infirmary provided us with sweaters and jeans to combat the cold. Fraternities and sororities, Greeks and non-Greeks alike, sent donation checks, gift cards to Wal-Mart, clothing, and anything else so that we could get everything in our lives back to the way they used to be. As far as we’ve come from the fire, everything will be forever changed; but for much better than worse.
The unconditional support, the extended outreach and unwavering love that has been bestowed upon us has taught us a valuable lesson. No matter that trial, we know that we live in a unique, special community. A community that cares so much for each other, one that will never pass up a chance to help one another through anything. We have been warmly reassured of what the University of Connecticut and the Greek Life communities are all about. We’re all here to better the world, whether on a small scale or a large one. We’ll come out of whatever flames life puts in our path, and never give up the fight!
Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts,
Stephan Chassagnoux Mark Stefanczyk Zach Carriker Nick Wytas & the Brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon