[phisigduchesscv]

As one of Phi Sigma Sigma's grad students who joined in her early 30's I'm going to have to say it depends on the campus whether that is odd or not. We had I believe 4 post bacculaureate students help found our particular chapter and at the time of our founding the average age of the members was 25. We are also the only NPC on the campus, 3 Latina based and 3 of the Divine nine sororities but just us to represent NPC.

For my campus the average age is 29 and a lot of the students are transfer students. So it has been more unusual to have the 18 year old freshman in most of our Greek orgs then the other way around. Our demographics are starting to change a little bit as we put more of an emphasis on recruiting freshman but for the most part our campus will always be a commuter campus relying on the transfer and returning adult students.

As for the age difference maybe it didn't affect me as much because there is a 14 year gap between myself and my blood sister. So most of my chapter sisters are actually closer in age then my blood sister and I are. We also actually have quite a bit in common and have become good friends with quite a few of them. I've already been maid of honor to my Sapphire Sister, she has become one of my best friends and I never would have met her before because of different majors,etc. Okay maybe I don't go to the parties but even a lot of the "younger" ones don't go either. All my sisters have taught me a lot and I hope have learned from me as well.

The Iota Gamma Chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma truly is the prime example of what Phi Sig's core values are - inclusiveness, academic excellence, and leadership through service.

1) Academic Excellence - we've had one of the highest GPA's in the greek system at CSUDH

2) Leadership through Service - we have served unstintingly in our Student Body (where we had a Student body president 3 years ago in her late 40's), volunteered at all campus events, done all our various philanthropy etc.

3) Inclusiveness - Our chapter sisters are Mexicans, Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Caucasians, African Americans, Koreans, Hawaiian, Philippinos, Puerto Ricans, Nigerian, Peruvian. All religions have been represented including Wiccan. We range in age from 18 - 39, average age is about . With 4 active sisters now in their 30's (we call ourselves the Rocking Chair club or the Old Ladies club). We are freshman through graduate. Married with children, Married without children, single moms, and singles.

I'm not sure how grad students would go through formal rush or if they would want to from what it sounds like. But for me, being a grad student or even in my 30's has never been an issue with my sisters, with Central Office, Advisors, etc. It wasn't a matter of looking back for me or dwelling what I missed out on because when I was first in school there was no greek life on campus. When I came back to school to get my bachelors there still wasnt an NPC on campus just ethnic based groups that I didn't feel comfortable in. After I finished my bachelors and was working on campus I approached Phi Sigma Sigma to get information for the students in the program I worked with. After passing along the information, they ended up asking me if I wanted to join. I protested about grad student and age. Despite being an "old lady" or even a grad student they activelly pushed me to come to their information and recruitment sessions which I finally did after a lot of encouragement. Best decisions I made and I am so thankful for the wonderful women I have met who have become some of my best friends despite the age, cultural, academic interest, etc differences.

Carolyn