DailyMississippian The
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
thedmonline.com
Vol. 100 No. 277
Following Bid Day 2011, UM open to new sorority BY MADISON FEATHERSTON madison.featherston@gmail.com
Through the efforts of University of Mississippi Panhellenic officers, Greek life will soon welcome a new chapter on campus. “As of Wednesday, March 28, 2012, we are open for expansion and everything has been approved,” said Panhellenic President Katie Kellum. The process started after Bid Day 2011. At this point, the quotas for pledge class sizes have grown too large for each of the nine sororities on campus. An exploratory committee was created, which consisted of Panhellenic’s then-president Emily Boatner, Panhellenic advisor Rachel Burchfield and a representative from each of the nine sororities on campus. Each representative then talked to her chapter and opened the idea of expansion for the members to vote on. After the initial approval, chapters were given more information and discussed it with
national delegates. Another round of voting by the Panhellenic delegates brought forth the expansion information that went to Larry Ridgeway, vice chancellor of Student Affairs, to be approved. “We are looking for a sorority that can fit in with our Panhellenic community and help improve our Greek system as a whole,” said Alex DeJoy, Panhellenic’s vice president of public relations. Because it is so early in the process, many details have yet to be decided, including which sorority will come to Ole Miss. The position is open to any of the 17 National Panhellenic Council groups that are not currently on campus. With the current nine houses located on both Sorority Row and Rebel Drive, there is not much room for a new addition, so the question of location has been raised. “The location has not been disclosed at this time, but the university has promised land for up to three houses,” DeJoy said. The Office of Greek Life has
FILE PHOTO (CAIN MADDEN) | The Daily Mississippian
A student receives good news on Bid Day this past year. The university hopes to add another sorority in the near future.
high hopes for the new sorority. “Bringing on a new sorority will expand our Greek sys-
tem as a whole and decrease pledge class sizes,” Kellum said. “Through smaller pledge class-
es we will increase the sisterly bonds in each of the individual chapters.”
Senior class officers discuss importance of upcoming election BY KATHRYN WINTER kathryn.winter2011@gmail.com
Last Friday was the deadline for petitions to be a 2013 senior class officer. Elections are quickly approaching. This week starts off the official campaigning after a certification meeting Monday night for candidates. Matthew Kiefer, current Associated Student Body attorney general, said senior class officer elections afford rising seniors the opportunity to voice who they would like to represent their class in the coming year. “The elected student officers will be the face of the class and act on their behalf in matters that pertain directly to Ole Miss Seniors,” Kiefer said. “Student leadership at Ole Miss is a great opportunity to serve others first and self second.” Senior class officers get to choose the gift for the senior class at Ole Miss. Other responsibilities include setting up the senior gift donation website, writing and mailing letters for donations, raising the money for the gift and organizing a senior class committee of 80 students to help. “This year’s gift was $6,000 and is a plaque telling this history of the Hotty Toddy
cheer,” said Meghan Litten, secretary and treasurer of the senior class. “We are responsible for the success of the gift. We also organize various events throughout our term to celebrate being a senior, like a senior dinner with the chancellor and (the) Grad Fair.” The senior class president, currently geological engineering major Toran Dean, also speaks at commencement. There are three individuals who make up the officers: a president, a vice president and a secretary who acts as treasurer. “Each person is crucial to the success of the happenings with the senior class,” Dean said. “Each position is what the individual makes it. They each require dedication, organization and teamwork.” The senior class officer positions are different from ASB positions because they are the faces of the senior class. They steer clear of policy or resolutions. “I think that this year a large amount of upcoming seniors are deciding to run for these offices not because of any particular encouragement on my part, but because they have been impressed with how vocal the class of 2012 has been this year,” Dean said.
CAIN MADDEN | The Daily Mississippian
2012 senior class president Toran Dean being inducted into the 2012 University of Mississippi Hall of Fame.
The senior class officers also help organize other events, like spirit events for the graduating class to participate in. Any other projects or events planned by the senior class officers are up to the discretion of the officers for that year and are not required.
“That has been one of the unique things I feel like the officers really pushed this year,” Dean said. “I tried my best this year to be as vocal and visible on campus this year because it is our last year at the university and we should be proud to be loud and spirited.
“Student leadership makes for many sleepless nights, but overall it is rewarding. It has made my past four years at the university fly by. But it has also allowed me to look back on projects I have worked on and see the legacy I have left behind.”