Order of Omega

[annice22]

I was thinking about joining Order of Omega during the fall semester. Is someone a member of this organization and did you gain a lot being a part of it?

[SLUadpi]

i'm not sure you can just join order of omega... don't you have to be "tapped" in, or chosen???

[dzandiloo]

It's been a long time, but when I was initiated into Order of Omega, it was pretty much just to honor the top 3% of Greeks (by GPA and activities to an extent) on campus...my chapter was not active at all, other than to hold initiation once a year...and that included the process of selecting new members (yes, you have to be invited to join...).

I think some campuses have active chapters though--you can find out more at http://www.orderofomega.org/index.html

[GeekyPenguin]

I was initiated into the Rho Lambda chapter last spring and will hopefully be affiliating with the chapter at Marquette this fall...my chapter was getting more active when I left. Our main problem seemed to be getting members - the Greek GPA wasn't very high and I think about 65% of the chapter were SigEps, it was kind of weird. We did a few programs, mostly focusing on scholarship within the Greek Community.

[DolphinChicaDDD]

How do you get this kind of organization on campus? Do your campus have to be selected?

I'm asking because, as far as I know, my school does not have Order of Omega, Phi Beta Kappa (that is another 'honor' socieity for greeks right? or am i making this up?). I think it would be nice to have an organization to recognize the greeks on campus who are invovled, have high gpas, etc etc etc

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by DolphinChicaDDD
How do you get this kind of organization on campus? Do your campus have to be selected?

I'm asking because, as far as I know, my school does not have Order of Omega, Phi Beta Kappa (that is another 'honor' socieity for greeks right? or am i making this up?). I think it would be nice to have an organization to recognize the greeks on campus who are invovled, have high gpas, etc etc etc

You can find information on how to start an Order of Omega chapter on their webpage...I don't think the campus matters.

Order of Omega "Chartering" Page

Phi Beta Kappa is much more selective - it is not for Greeks, but is to honor academic excellence. Their website says they are very choosy about starting a chapter and applications are subject to "a lengthy process of documentation by the Phi Beta Kappa members of the applying institution's faculty."

Phi Beta Kappa "Chartering" Page

[SparkliiQTMTSU]

Wow! I didn't even know that we had one of these on our campus, but i just looked at the website and I guess we do!

Nichole

[trisigmaAtl]

at my school you have to apply to join (they don't just sift through everyone's records), and then if you meet the criteria, they tap you.

[aephi alum]

Same thing at my school - you have to apply, then you are either selected for membership, or not.

No more than 3% of greeks at a given campus can be members of Order of Omega. That doesn't mean you have to be in the top 3% academically (though GPA is considered) - there are other factors taken into account.

My chapter wasn't terribly active - we did membership selection and initiation, a couple of community service projects each year, and that was about it. But it did give me a common bond with leaders in other GLOs and foster inter-GLO communication.

[astroAPhi]

We just rechartered at my school, and I'm President (Good God).

aephi alum pretty much described the way it works at my school. Our main problem is getting guys... none of the fraternity men apply, and when they do, their GPA isn't high enough! (Sigh...) Only 2 of the 6 fraternities are represented, but all 3 sororities are, at least.

We're going to try and do one major philanthropy a semester, and we're going to sponsor Greek In-service and possibly a Greek Faculty Awards night, but other than that, we don't know what else we can do with ourselves.

annice, I think it's a great organization and at my school at least, it really promotes Greek unity.

[KSigkid]

I am a member, but was not very active in it in college. I was elected to membership my junior year, while I was still chapter president, so that took up a good deal of my time. I came to meetings and helped set up for events, but that was about it.

We weren't very active at BU, and I think the reason is that we all were involved in so many other things, as well as keeping focused on school. Therein lies the problem - in an organization such as this, you're elected based on how much time you put into other interests. When you gain membership, you don't have any time for Order of Omega because of those other interests.

We held a couple of events per year for Greeks who had high GPAs (above 3.5), and helped host the end-of-the-year Greek awards banquet with IFSC; but that was about it.

Collin

[josh8o]

i am the vice president of selections in order of omega at sdsu. we invite sutdents with a 3.0 and 60 completed units to join. they then submit an application and we then take only a certain percentage.

[astroAPhi]

Originally posted by KSigkid
ITherein lies the problem - in an organization such as this, you're elected based on how much time you put into other interests. When you gain membership, you don't have any time for Order of Omega because of those other interests.

Very true. All of our members are exceptional members of the Greek community, so it's difficult to even get everyone together for a meeting. I have a hard time getting volunteers to help me with drafting a local Bylaws.

Still, I think Order of Omega should be an addendum to your Greek responsibilities, not IN PLACE OF them. If you can only do 2-3 events per year, I think that's acceptable.

[carnation]

I was vp of the chartering class at Mississippi State. Often at large Southern universities, it's a big deal to get in and is therefore a fabulous thing to have on your resume because employers recognize it.

[annice22]

On my campus you don't have to be invited you just fill out an application and turn in your transcripts and they review it then if your in you have to pay.