LETTERS
A STUDENT PUBLICATION FOR THE OFFICE OF SORORITY AND FRATERNITY ENGAGEMENT JANUARY | 2019
Welcome
Welcome to a new year! As I have been spending time with family and friends over this winter break, I cannot help but to ask myself what will 2019 bring? What impact will sororities and fraternities at Iowa State make in this new year? Often, people use the new year to make resolutions for change or betterment of themselves. I believe each semester is a great opportunity for us to do this for our organizations. I have been reading the book “The Champions Mind: How great athletes THINK, TRAIN, and THIRVE” by Jim Afremow. Early in the book, he introduces this concept of a champion’s question. He says, “what will your life look like when you have become your own champion?”. I believe this is a great question to ask about our sorority and fraternity chapters. What will life look like when you chapter has become an ideal chapter? In a day, a week, or a month, what is necessary for your chapter to achieve its potential? What activities or programs do you need to spend more time on? What things should you give up? This is not about fitting some mold of a sorority or fraternity, yet an opportunity to define sorority or fraternity for your own chapter. I have been working with sororities and fraternities for over a decade. When I travel, I often get the uncomfortable question of “what do you do for work?” on the airplane. There are times in my life where I have avoided this question and strayed away from a straight forward answer. Since arriving at Iowa State, that has not been the case. When I went to work for my national organization, my Mom used to ask me if I just traveled around the country and helped plan parties. Sororities and fraternities (in my mind) are the premiere student leadership experience on a college campus, but only if you, as students, make them so. How will you grow this year? How will you better your organization? Will you embrace the champion’s mindset and help your chapter reach its full potential?
Billy Boulden
Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Sorority and Fraternity Engagement
Taking a Stand
Ashtyn Perrin
When I first stepped onto Iowa State’s campus in August of 2017, I had little idea the opportunities that awaited me. In under two years, I became a leader in several campus organizations. It’s because of the confidence I gained as a sorority woman that I was able to achieve these roles. In recent news, Harvard University has a policy that students who join single-gender clubs cannot hold leadership positions on campus or be endorsed by the college for fellowships and scholarships. This policy directly hurts members of sororities and fraternities, as almost all at Harvard have had to shut down or become co-ed. Organizations realized that this policy was discriminatory and have filed a federal lawsuit against Harvard. The international organizations of Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Sigma Chi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, along with the local Gamma chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon are listed as some of the plaintiffs for the federal case. At the state level, Delta Gamma, Alpha Phi and the Iota Tau chapter of Alpha Phi have filed a suit against Harvard as well. This lawsuit has sparked an outcry from sorority and fraternity members nationwide. Members from chapters everywhere have shared their stories of why being part of a sorority or fraternity is important to their success. Growing up, I had no intention of joining a sorority. They were shown to be wild and disrespectful. When my older sister decided to go through the Recruitment process at Iowa State, I didn’t understand why. Then, I witnessed her become a leader, a friend and a stronger woman. When my time came, it was obvious to me that joining a sorority was the route to take.
A LOOK INSIDE ••• Special Election Edition!
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Our community at Iowa State builds empowered leaders both within individual chapters and outside our community as well.
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COUNCIL ELECTIONS As the spring semester starts, our four governing councils would like to introduce their new officers for the upcoming term. In this edition of Letters, some of our outgoing officers reflect on their term.
INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL
OUTGOING OFFICERS
INCOMING OFFICERS
National Pan-Hellenic Council OUTGOING OFFICERS
It’s been an honor serving as the Vice President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. I have a lot of pride and respect for being a part of NPHC because, without it, my chapter wouldn’t have such a unique space to call home. My favorite part about serving was being able to connect with people from every council and even people from different schools. Serving on council exec has helped me improve my communication skills and realize the true importance of connections and networking. Satoria Williams
INCOMING OFFICERS
of us strive to complete goals set forth for our councils and our community. I especially loved being able to get to know the other presidents on a level that was deeper than your average friendship or working relationships. We helped each other learn and grow, not only as leaders, but also as individuals growing into adulthood. Adversities that we may have faced did not phase us as we were set against misunderstanding each other. Instead, we worked together to settle problems that may have risen. I have been happy to serve as the president for the National PanHellenic Council as it taught me various things about myself as a leader and how I can further develop myself in the future. Jasmine Scott
I’m proud of all the different organizations that are housed on Iowa State’s campus and how we’ve attempted to come together despite our differences. From the Collegiate Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council and the National Pan-Hellenic Council, all
Collegiate Panhellenic Council OUTGOING OFFICERS
Serving as the VP of Scholarship for CPC this past year has given me countless opportunities to grow as a sorority woman, and I am so grateful to have had this experience. Having 10 other Panhellenic women by my side during this term has enormously impacted my life, and I can’t thank them enough for helping me strive for my best. I have learned courage, trust and integrity. These are qualities I can proudly bring with me for my next leadership journey as president of Sigma Kappa. Emma Vontalge
My term came with a lot of new changes to the recruitment process that I am proud of! We implemented the Sorority Showcase tour to replace Greek Visit Day, brought in Ailis Garcia with her Strong Movement and implemented Campus
INCOMING OFFICERS
Director for our potential new members. These allowed women to feel more empowered and independent during the process of Primary Recruitment. I have a new love for our community after my term. Serving 2,500 women and bringing in 651 new members is an experience I will never forget. I had the chance to collaborate with other councils and offices. Overall, I learned and grew so much over the past year. I perfected my public speaking skills, learned to embrace change and to work closely with a team. These are all lessons I know I will take with me for the rest of my life. This community has given me so much, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to leave my legacy. Carlye Marshall
Multicultural Greek Council Going into this position, I honestly did not know what I was getting myself into. I mean this in a meaningful way, as I could have never known how many great opportunities, lessons and relationships I would be granted in my position as Vice President of Community Outreach.
You can say she’s my partner in crime, as she is always there to help me with situations as I do for her. We overcame mental breakdowns, struggles and stress to get to the place we are today. Even after the hard work with only two people, you would think we would just finish up our term and be done. Actually, no. If anything, this experience has just encouraged me even more to keep representing my council by running for the executive council again, for the 2019-2020 term.
Our executive board started with six officers at the beginning of the Spring 2018 semester and finished with two at the end of the semester. This was a little bit of a stressful situation to be in with two people taking on the duties and tasks of what six I am grateful for the chance to get to know our people would normally handle. sorority and fraternity community a little bit more Though somehow, we did it! I couldn’t think of two and walk away with friendships in other councils. more powerful women than Micaela and me. We Though there is still change that needs to be done for the representation of culturally-based really took initiative to keep our council going. organizations here at Iowa State, I am excited to be on the forefront to take action for this change. Thank you to everyone that keeps pushing me to OUTGOING OFFICERS be a better me. Julissa Garcia
INCOMING OFFICERS
Meet the Staff
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Billy Boulden • bboulden@iastate.edu Assistant Dean of Students Director of Sorority and Fraternity Engagement
Elizabeth Gillmore • gillmore@iastate.edu Assistant Director of Sorority and Fraternity Engagement
Karina Buttler • kbuttler@iastate.edu Secretary
Abby McCollom • abbyjm@iastate.edu Coordinator of Sorority and Fraternity Engagement
Sydni Harmon • grknphc@iastate.edu Graduate Assistant
We want to hear from you! Email your comments, questions or suggestions to aperrin@iastate.edu
Julissa Garcia • sfe_julissag@iastate.edu Student Coordinator
Ashtyn Perrin • aperrin@iastate.edu Student Communications Coordinator
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