AOPi at Arkansas

[TSteven]

Sorry to be late to the party. Congratulations to both Alpha Omicron Pi and to Arkansas! And kudos to the hard working AOII alumnae (many from who post here) as well. Ladies, y'all done good.

By the way, is there a chapter designation yet for Arkansas? I love how each AOII chapter gets to select its own. A very nice tradition.

[AOII*Azra-elle]

Congratulations to AOII! I'm glad to see we are expanding even more this year!

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by TSteven

Sorry to be late to the party. Congratulations to both Alpha Omicron Pi and to Arkansas! And kudos to the hard working AOII alumnae (many from who post here) as well. Ladies, y'all done good.

By the way, is there a chapter designation yet for Arkansas? I love how each AOII chapter gets to select its own. A very nice tradition.

No designation yet. They will select it in the next 2 weeks but then it has some approval channels before it is official. For those who don't understand, AOII does not name its chapters in order. Instead, our colonies choose their own designation, and the designation stands for the sub-motto of that chapter. For example, my chapter at the University of Illinois is Iota. (They selected "I" for "Illinois." Our sub-motto is iso fore which translates from the Greek to sharing equal burdens. Some chapters have English sub-mottos, for example Alpha Gamma at Washington State is "always genuine." It is a neat tradition that our colony and chapter members seem to appreciate.

The tradition does confuse a lot of people who don't understand why our oldest active chapter (UT Knoxville) is Omicron and not Delta (it is our 4th chapter.) So that's a little quirky AOII trivia for you!

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

Just for fun, let's start randomly guessing who will come to campus in 18 months.

Going back to this subject. What about Delta Zeta at UA? They have chapters at Arkansas State, University of Central Arkansas, and Arkansas Tech. They had a chapter also at Henderson State that closed about 3 years ago. That would presumably give them many alumns throughout the state and a lot of support from existing chapters.

There is also Sigma Kappa. They only have one chapter so far, at Central Arkansas, but I have heard it is strong. Again, alumns and support from another chapter would help with colonization.

[Hegemon]

While alum support would be great for every new colony starting out, it isn't always going to happen. If the girls themselves believe in themselves and their organization and work hard, they will succeed. Ok, I know that is a little too optimistic...but wouldn't it be awesome if it always worked that way?

Again, I say alum support is nice, and sometimes essential, but without forming new chapters across the country how can the group really be expected to grow? With new chapters, you have the opportunity to initiate more girls, many of them who will then stay in the area after graduation, and thus form an alum base. It won't happen overnight, but it'll happen. Just an opinion.

Go AOPi!!!

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by Hegemon

While alum support would be great for every new colony starting out, it isn't always going to happen. If the girls themselves believe in themselves and their organization and work hard, they will succeed. Ok, I know that is a little too optimistic...but wouldn't it be awesome if it always worked that way?

Again, I say alum support is nice, and sometimes essential, but without forming new chapters across the country how can the group really be expected to grow? With new chapters, you have the opportunity to initiate more girls, many of them who will then stay in the area after graduation, and thus form an alum base. It won't happen overnight, but it'll happen. Just an opinion.

Go AOPi!!!

No argument here about alumn support not being the deciding factor on a colony's success or demise. From my own experience with Sigma Chi, alumni support did make the success of my chapter. We also got a lot of support from the Sigma Chi chapters at Southeast Missouir, University of Memphis, and Ole Miss. I have just always thought that having chapters nearby, willing to help, helps the colony with details and issues they have never had to deal with. The members of my chapter had never done a rush - had no idea really what to do. The chapters nearby gave us ideas and support to have successful rushes. Reasons like that are why I think it helps to have other chapters nearby.

[Elephant Walk]

There is also Sigma Kappa. They only have one chapter so far, at Central Arkansas, but I have heard it is strong. Again, alumns and support from another chapter would help with colonization.

I have many DZ's and SK friends at Cent. Arkansas, and both are strong... DZ is a big sorority, but I would really like to see them put in other big national sororities before they put in Teachers College sororities such as Sigma Kappa, Tri-Sig and so on.

[LaneSig]

Just pointing out: Sigma Kappa was not one of the Educational Sororities (can't think of the official group) aka "teacher's sororities". It was always one of the NPC sororities.

Personally, I would like to see Delta Gamma make a comeback, since that's the sorority and chapter my ex-fiancee belonged to.

[Drolefille]

WAIIIIIIIIT A MINUTE (you know you make me want to SHOUT)

Sigma Kappa was never, is not, a Teacher's College sorority. I assume you mean the AES (?) Sororities. We were founded in 1874 at Colby College in Maine and have always been in the NPC since 1904. (My dates are fuzzy) Regardless, we were not in that group.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

Just pointing out: Sigma Kappa was not one of the Educational Sororities (can't think of the official group) aka "teacher's sororities". It was always one of the NPC sororities.

Personally, I would like to see Delta Gamma make a comeback, since that's the sorority and chapter my ex-fiancee belonged to.

You beat me to it. I think it was AES, but I'm not sure.

[LaneSig]

Association of Education Sororities was their official title ( I think ).

Alpha Sigma Tau, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Alpha Sigma Alpha are the remaining existing members. They also had Delta Sigma Epsilon, Theta Sigma Upsilon, and Pi Kappa Sigma. There might have been one or two others.

[Elephant Walk]

Sigma Kappa was never, is not, a Teacher's College sorority. I assume you mean the AES (?) Sororities. We were founded in 1874 at Colby College in Maine and have always been in the NPC since 1904. (My dates are fuzzy) Regardless, we were not in that group.

Apologies, I assumed that many of the sororities at Univ. Central Arkansas (a former teachers college, and still very strong in teaching.) were Teacher's College Sororities, and Sigma Kappa has a chapter there

edit: it has Alpha Tau, Tri Sig and Alpha Sig

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

Apologies, I assumed that many of the sororities at Univ. Central Arkansas (a former teachers college, and still very strong in teaching.) were Teacher's College Sororities, and Sigma Kappa has a chapter there

edit: it has Alpha Tau, Tri Sig and Alpha Sig

After the AES was disolved/merged with NPC both traditional teacher colleges and traditional four year college/universities were available for expansion by all NPC groups.

I suspect Sigma Kappa took advantage of that opportunity.

[AOII*Azra-elle]

Originally Posted by aopirose

Alpha Omicron Pi Establishes Colony at the University of Arkansas

Eighty-one members of Alpha Omicron Pi at the University of Arkansas gathered together in anticipation and excitement for the first time on Tuesday evening, August 29, 2006, on the University of Arkansas campus to establish AOII’s newest colony. Like previous colonies, this AOII colony will continue to exemplify the traditions of academic excellence, philanthropy, community service, and lifelong friendships found at 180 other collegiate chapters of AOII across the United States and Canada. Alpha Omicron Pi is the eighth National Panhellenic Conference sorority to organize on the University of Arkansas campus. The AOII chapter is expected to have tremendous success over the next few years as the colony and Greek tradition grow at the University.

The University opened for extension in the fall of 2004. The University of Arkansas is a competitive public university offering 195 academic degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels. Current enrollment is approximately 17,000 with a University goal to increase enrollment to 22,500 by 2010. The University of Arkansas website hails the University as the state’s only “doctoral/research university-extensive,” as categorized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This category is defined as producing at least 50 doctoral recipients per year. As such, the University of Arkansas is in the top tier of 150 research universities among the nation’s more than 4,000 post-secondary institutions.

The colony members at the University of Arkansas are among the top students and leaders on the campus. Their commitment to academics is evident in their average GPA of 3.35. In addition, members are involved in all areas of campus life including the Associated Student Government, Residents’ Interhall Congress, Cheerleading, Gymnastics, and numerous other honorary societies, varsity athletics, and campus organizations. Many members are also very active in philanthropic organizations and community outreach.

Vice President of Development Allison Allgier, officials from AOII International Headquarters in Brentwood, Tennessee, local alumnae and collegiate members, Alumnae Advisory Council, and Corporation Board members assisted in the recruitment efforts on campus.

The next few months will be full of fun, learning and work as the University of Arkansas colony prepares itself to be installed as the 181st chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi. Members will participate in weekly education sessions and sisterhood events, as well as socials, philanthropic events, and a colony retreat. They are responsible for establishing the chapter’s sub-motto and name that will typify the chapter’s unique character. There are also bylaws to write, officers to elect, and procedures to establish. The Colony Development Network Director, Linda Mahfouz, and the Colony Development Network Specialist, Brandi Nunnery, will guide the colony and continue guiding them as a chapter for the next several years, along with a dedicated Alumnae Advisory Committee and Corporation Board composed of 20 local AOII alumnae. Additionally, a Resident Consultant, Lauren Cox, will stay with the chapter through installation.

81 ladies?! Congrats to the newest AOII colony!!!

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

I have many DZ's and SK friends at Cent. Arkansas, and both are strong... DZ is a big sorority, but I would really like to see them put in other big national sororities before they put in Teachers College sororities such as Sigma Kappa, Tri-Sig and so on.

This is why you were jumped on.

Originally Posted by LaneSig

Just pointing out: Sigma Kappa was not one of the Educational Sororities (can't think of the official group) aka "teacher's sororities". It was always one of the NPC sororities.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

WAIIIIIIIIT A MINUTE (you know you make me want to SHOUT)

Sigma Kappa was never, is not, a Teacher's College sorority. I assume you mean the AES (?) Sororities. We were founded in 1874 at Colby College in Maine and have always been in the NPC since 1904. (My dates are fuzzy) Regardless, we were not in that group.

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

Apologies, I assumed that many of the sororities at Univ. Central Arkansas (a former teachers college, and still very strong in teaching.) were Teacher's College Sororities, and Sigma Kappa has a chapter there

edit: it has Alpha Tau, Tri Sig and Alpha Sig

Sorry to bump a 2 year old thread, but I found this while searching for something else, and just thought I'd clarify since no one else directly said it.

Sigma Kappa is not and never was a member of the AES. However, Pi Kappa Sigma was a member of the AES. Sigma Kappa absorbed the remaining Pi Kappa Sigma chapters in 1959 (for the SKs, this is mostly our Delta ____ chapters; that's why there were so many founded in 1959). This is why Sigma Kappa has a handful chapters at "Teacher College" schools, though we are not a former AES member group.

The same can be said for Zeta Tau Alpha (absorbed Beta Sigma Omicron), Phi Mu (can't remember the name of the AES sorority they absorbed---was it Alpha Delta Theta?), and Delta Zeta (absorbed several AES sororities, some of which had absorbed other AES sororities prior...includes Sigma Phi Beta, Theta Upsilon, Delta Sigma Epsilon, Phi Omega Pi, and others).