reasons why you joined Phi Sig
 

Alright thought I would start a new thread since they have been lacking in our message boards. Anyway, I joined because well Megan was in and I became friends with everyone since I would always go visit her (she lived in the house). And after much convincing (the joke is they "rushed" me for a whole semester) and some brainwashing (i know they slipped something in my drink!), I decided to be a NM spring 2002. To this day, I think, have I gone nuts? LOL. Seriously though, I was never the "sorority" girl type. I always made fun of Greeks and wanted nothing to do with them. But the Phi Sigs over at RU are different. While I still don;t like some of the other Greeks at our school (just cuz your in the Greek system doesn't mean you like ALL greeks), I do love my girls and I am glad I joined. So everyone else, please add in the reasons (or people) that got you to join Phi Sig. Just thought it would be interesting to know everyone's stories.

I rushed my second semester of my freshman year. After a hideous first semester of not meeting anyone, I decided I needed to get involved. I went through recruitment knowing full well that I was meant to be a Phi Sig. I clicked with the girls immediately and have never regretted my decision for a minute. I am fortunate enough to call all my best friends sisters. I always have someone that I can count on and I genuinely feel loved.
I am currently the Archon and I know that my chapter supports me 100%. I love my Theta Mu girls. (Sorry for all the gushing)

When I first was in college I wanted to join a sorority but CSUDH didn't have any sororities at the time. I was told I could contact a sorority at CSULB if I wanted to and try to join them but I gave up instead because I thought it would be too much of a hassle. Plus I am very overweight and didnt' have the selfconfidence to believe that a sorority would want me to join them. (I always thought they were looking for the blonde haired, blue-eyed, "muffy, buffy, tuffy, and tiffany" of the world - you know the sterotypical one shown on tv without a thought in her head).

When Phi Sig came to CSUDH many years later, I thought they were interesting and told one of them I wished they had been around years ago since after talking to them I wouldn't have felt they would judge on looks. That's when Casey and Peggy (chapter consultants) asked why I didn't join now. After getting past all my concerns (see the post on grad students in Phi Sig) and talking some more I thought I'd go to their informational meetings about the colonizing.

Well, after hearing about how I could be a part of starting new traditions at CSUDH by being the first NPC and a founding sister I really wanted to join. Everyone was so accepting and the other women going through colonization were great women I would never have met otherwise. The rest they say is history. I was founding MOC and Archon last year. Most of all I'm proud to say I'm PHI SIGMA SIGMA.
Carolyn

I totally understand what you mean phisigduchesscv. Whether or not I fit into the typical tiffany as you said sorority girl stereotype (for some reason my sisters joke around that I do but I am not blonde blue eyed and actually I honestly wouldn't want to be anyone because we all know in the end brunettes and redheads have more fun ;) ) But most of the sororities at RU even if thats not what they are looking for, thats all they seem to recruit. I mean some of them ALL look the same and come from families with a lot of money and such. Also, none of them seem to be accepting of blacks or Latinos and being Latina myself while I didn't like the traditionally Latina sororities, I also didn't want to be the only one or be confronted with people who might be just a little prejudice. Thats why phi sig was perfect for me. even though i only one of two latinas in our chapter (i hope to recruit more) i don't feel left out or that anyone even thinks of me as anything but a sister and a friend. the fact that we were founded on diversity def made it the place for me

I decided to join Phi Sig for a number of reasons. First of all, I was very active while in high school and I wanted to continue being active in college. When I realized the Villa Julie only had ONE sorority (that's right...we are the ONLY Greeks on campus), I was a liitle hesitant. I heard that there were close to 100 people signed up to "join" the sorority, and the sisters were only accepting 15 for the Fall of 98. I didn't understand the Pledging process, and I didn't want to compete with 100 other people. So I didn't rush that semester.

During that semester, I had a few classes with sisters. I became friends with them, and they explained to me how the process worked. So, when Spring 99 Recruitment rolled around, I decided I was ready to become a member of Phi Sigma Sigma. My roommates at the time thought I was crazy and I heard a lot of crap because I was joining a sorority, but I knew that Phi Sigma Sigma was going to change my life!

And I couldn't have made a better decision. As an active member, I have done so much and made so many lasting memories with my sisters. Now that I have become an alumna, I hope that I can remain as active with my sisters as I had been.

That's my story....hope you like it :)

LITP,
Jadey

Well I just wanted to let eveyone know that I don't regret joining Phi Sig for a minute but it was a long road.

First, I wanted to join a historically Black Glo but, there was a total conflict of interest with me and the girls that were pledging me. Let's just say I didn't feel the need to compromise my priorities and values. Then I chilled out for a year and decided that I wanted to join a Multicultural Glo, but Expansion was closed at my school b/c the GLOs there were low in numbers. By this time I was a junior and I knew that by the time the cap on expansion was removed, I would be on my last semester of undergrad and I wanted to be active on campus.
Soooooooo, I knew a couple of Phi Sigs and I started asking them questions about the org and did some research. I fell in LOVE with the history. I had no idea that we were the First org to open it's doors to all women regardless of Background or Religion. . . I had no idea that everything I was searching for, I would find in Phi Sigma Sigma. So I Joined and my only regret is that I didn't find Phi Sig Sooner. :D

Why I joined Phi Sig!
 

I thought it was really neat to hear everyone's story on why they joined Phi Sig. I was able to relate to many of the stories. I never thought that I would join a sorority. I was a shy overweight girl who just tried to get by. My campus is a comuter campus so Phi Sig is the only sorority on campus. A friend of mine happened to have a Phi Sig sister in her class and she rushed and joined Phi Sig. I heard a lot about what they did and how nice the girls were, but I was never really sure I wanted to join. She asked me on many occasions to come to recruitment, but I always chickened out. Finally, during COB's she convinced me to meet the girls for lunch. I did and I knew leaving lunch that day that I wanted to be a part of this organization. I felt accepted immediatly and was very happy when they asked me to join.

I am reaching my last year in Phi Sig. I am very far from that shy girl who started a few years ago. I am serving as the chapter Archon this year, something I never ever thought would happen. I would never change being a part of Phi Sig for anything. It is an amazing organization.

Ana2225

Re: Why I joined Phi Sig!
 

Uh, what sorority did u join??? LOL you know what I'm getting at. Once a Phi Sigma Sigma, ALWAYS a Phi Sigma Sigma.:D

Ah, I guess it is my turn to share my story. I actually really don't know what got me interested in Greek life. I didn't know ANYBODY in any of the sororities on campus, and none of my friends even considered rushing. Anyways, I guess i was bored and decided to check it out. I visited a couple of other houses, and while I thought all of the girls were nice and seemed like good people, I knew I just did not fit in. I decided then to give up on sorority life.

Well, some time later I ran into this girl Jen whom I had met once way back in the fall. We were talking about all that we had been up to, and I told her about the sororities I visited, when she BEGGED me to come to a COB for Phi Sig. So I did, and I knew after that night, that if I was to join a sorority, than it couldn't be anything other than Phi Sig. I don't think I ever shut up from the moment I stepped through the door that night. All of the girls were nice and sweet, and not just because they had to be.

Anyways, now after a year of being an active sister (and recruiting my best friend who was SO against sororities and is now my sapphire sister!) I knew that I made the right decision

Why I joined Phi Sig
 

I was a freshmen at college, and I always knew I wanted to join a sorority, I just didn't know which one. Phi sigma sigma was begining on my campus and that gave me the opportunity to be a founder which was a big plus. The other sororities were all black or all hispanic, and although I am hispanic, I didn't want to be a part of sorority like that. Also, I liked how Phi Sigma Sigma has been around for so many years. And that we have chapters all around the country and Canada. I have never regretted my decision, because Phi Sig is for me!!!

Cynthia
Iota Gamma

Happiness is being....a phi sig!

How Did You Know That Phi Sig Was For You?
 

i'm interesting in knowing
unlike most people, Phi Sig was not my first choice
but now that i'm in, i could see myself in the other group but only in it because of who they were on campus

what's everyone else's story?

I chose Phi Sig for the girls i met. The traditions, the symbols, all that was well and good but it doesn't mean much when you're going through formal recruitment and its all thrown at you at once. It was the girls that made a difference, my chapter is the largest and most successful on our admittedly small and anti-greek campus. I know that if the girls is our chapter weren't the wonderful and amazing people they are I would have opted not to join any sorority. I just wasn't impressed by the others. Our sisterhood is close, we have the most fun and we're the most active. Now that i'm in...i love the tradition and symbols and everything we stand for however, initially it was just the girls.

Well, basically, I couldn't find the info party for the other group :P (informal rush).

But I stayed with Phi Sig because of the women I met. I remember Yvette at the tables in the student centre, Marlo at the first info party, and Christine who made me feel confortable and chatted with me. They are the reasons I decided it was worth sticking around; They made Phi Sig for me. So yeah, i agree with phisig4life.

LITP

At my college, Phi Sigma Sigma is the only sorority on campus. In fact, we are the only Greeks on campus! The school is a private college with roughly 2500 students (including part-time students). I always wanted to be in a sorority, and I knew Phi Sigma Sigma was the only option I had. So, I went to the first rush party (that's what it was called Spring 1999, not recruitment), met a few of the girls, and decided I really liked what I saw. I also enjoyed learning everything that the chapter did on campus...so I decided to go Phi Sig!! And yes, our entire process of rushing, bidding, total, and quota is VERY different from any other college. We kinda have our own rules, but it's still really cool.

Anyway, I am so glad that I made the decision I did. Phi Sigma Sigma is such a major part of my life!!!


Jadey

I knew Phi Sig was for me the first second I walked in the door of my very first rush party! I hadn't even seen the other sororities but I knew I found my home. As strange as it sounds I just had a feeling! (what a nerd I am!!) Looking back, I am so glad I went with that feeling and wouldn't change anything for the world.

Basically the room was warm and welcoming, ballons everywhere and about 40 women singing to us at the tops of their lungs. (whew, these women knew how to recruit!) The real reason though was how wonderful the chapter sisters were. They were grateful we were at their party and entertained us the entire week.

Phi Sig Do or Die!!!

When my friend from HS came back in my Junior year with talk about her sorority I was interested. She had a big bright yellow jacket (if you havent seen a Gamma Gamma "Big Yellow" or havent heard about them... you need to see a picture!) and told me about the teddy bears... and I was sold (teddy bear is our local mascot)

Then when I got to Clarion I found Kristy again and she introduced me to her friend Julie (who is my big!!!) and I met all the sisters and I knew more from back home. I fell in love with Phi Sig!

I didnt have the grades in the fall so I rushed in the spring and then I was preffed by Phi Sig and DZ, I chose Phi Sig :)

i thought phi sigma sigma was the best choice for me because they are a group of strong, intelligent women. at my school you get alot of the steryotypical soroity life but phi sig prove to be the most unique soroity. it has tradition and pride and i couldn't see myself in any other soroity. :cool:

My friends always said I would be the most likely one of them to be in a sorority, and of course, I was the only one who ended up in one. :) .....I honestly didn't think Phi Sig was for me until Pref Night. I was hard core going for D Phi E (many athletes were in that and I was a volleyball player). On the other hand, Phi Sig seemed the more stereotypical sorority, you got your cheerleaders, your skinny girls, etc. When the rush night came where we could go to the house, the President showed me around. It was a beautiful turn of the century house and she proved to be a wonderful person to talk to...I think I talked to her most of the night (she ended up being my bigbig). The 2 houses I was pushing for, Phi Sig and D Phi E asked me back to Pref night and although D Phi E had a very, very nice pref night, Phi Sig's was less tears but more emotion. I could honestly feel the sisterhood in the room and unlike D Phi E who had their obvious cliques, Phi Sig didn't and that was important to me. So, Phi Sig was my top choice and thankfully I was one of theirs too! :)

Okay, I'm cheating and cutting and pasting a couple of things from other threads I've posted on here but it's easier then typing all of it up.....

I would love to have joined a sorority as an undergraduate student but CSUDH didn't have any sororities when I originally was there in the late 80's early 90's. And when I went back to school to finish my BA in 96 the only sororities were NPHC or Latina based. I know they do recruit other ethnicities but I didn't think it was for me. Plus at the time I already thought I was too old. Then I graduated with my BA in 98 and thought there went whatever slim chance I had to join a sorority.

A couple of years after I graduated, Phi Sigma Sigma was doing a recruitment trying to colonize CSUDH and become the first NPC on campus. I was 32 when Chapter Consultants Casey and Peggy were at CSUDH. I was trying to get info about Phi Sig for women in the program I worked for on campus. Peggy and Casey asked me if I wanted to join. I said I was 32 they said "so", I said I was a grad student. Again they said "so". They were so sincere in wanting me to come to the information parties and it not mattering that I was in my 30s and a grad student so I decided to see what it was all about. My age and grad status didn't matter to anyone there. They genuinely were interested in me and lived by the core value of inclusiveness as shown by their responses to me. The rest is history, I was the founding MOC (now SDC) and the second Archon.

I am just so glad that Phi Sig was the sorority that won the extension bid at CSUDH. I truly don't know if it had been any other group if I would have joined. It has been an absolutely amazing experience and i have met and become friends with women that I probably never would have met other wise. Including my Sapphire Sister Ana who got married a year and a half ago and honored me with the request to be her witness at her wedding. That was such an awesome honor, and imagine, I would have missed out if we hadn't joined Phi Sig.

I never had the opportunity to join a sorority as an undergrad and always regreted it. Now I'm having the time of my life thanks to Phi Sig. I hope I've contributed to my chapter as much as they given to me.

Also, I recommend that all chapters make sure to actively mention in their recruitment that they do recruit Grads. That may bring in one or two more sisters that you would have probably missed getting to know. Who knows that person could end up as one of your best friends.

*sniff*

some people just like to make me cry

I was a COB, and really..didnt know anything. Lol. I saw the posters for Phi Sig's COB events and just decided to go one day. There was an informal meeting and I fell in love with the girls and the idea of a sisterhood immediately. My sisters are amazing, strong women and I'm glad that I now know each and every one of them. They have grown to be some of my closest friends, and I cannot picture my college/life experience without them. :)


PSLAM :-*

Its funny how things happen for a reason, although you don't realize it at the time. I was debating between Phi Sig and another sorority and I got cut from the other sorority's pref. I was pissed off then but now I know there is no other place for me. I suicided Phi Sig and they picked me. Because formal recruitment is such a quick process, you really don't get to know the girls in the sororities, so they basically decide if you would fit in with them. Now seeing the other group with thier members, I'm so glad I went Phi Sig. I could never see myself as a sister in the other sorority. I love Phi Sig!

LITP,
Terri
Archon
Zeta Omega Chapter
U of M Dearborn