Recruitment is a huge time for Greek life, and it’s when we get to showcase ourselves and meet women who can become significant additions to our organizations. When recruitment starts, sometimes it’s intimidating, confusing and difficult to choose an organization that fits us. Every organization is different! Rushing (like the name implies) doesn’t allow us enough time to collect all the information about these organizations, which sometimes leads to dropping or leaving recruitment early. It’s extremely important that potential new members know everything the organizations are able to offer, and it’s a good idea to go into recruitment with some general knowledge of the organizations.
I hope this can be a small guide for anyone who is thinking of rushing during formal recruitment in January 2016, or for anyone who's curious about the girls with the Greek letters.
Alpha Epsilon Phi
- Greek letters: ΑΕΦ
- Colors: Green and white
- Flower: Lily of the Valley
- Jewel: Pearl
- Mascot: Giraffe
- Philanthropies: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and Sharsheret
- Motto: Many Hearts, One Purpose
- Founded on October 24, 1909 by seven Jewish women
- Founded the Temple University (Phi Theta) chapter on May 12, 1984
Weighing in:
Alpha Epsilon Phi is such a unique sorority on campus. Though they do not exclude women who affiliate with other religions, but their Jewish roots make them a one-of-a-kind organization. Coined the “most fun,” these women are not afraid to be themselves. By-far the most spirited during Greek Week… and during any event for that matter. During Halloween, AEPhi hosts a joint philanthropy Haunted House with fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi, which produces tons of screams and fun for everyone. When I asked Rachel Sload, Alpha Epsilon Phi's Social Chair, how she would describe her sisterhood, she said, "OMG RIDE OR DIE." You can follow AEPhi on Tumblr.
Alpha Xi Delta
- Greek letters: ΑΞΔ
- Colors: Light blue, dark blue and gold
- Flower: Pink Rose
- Jewels: Diamond and pearl
- Mascot: BetXi Bear
- Philanthropy: Autism Speaks
- Motto: The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword
- Founded on April 17, 1893
- Founded the Temple University (Iota Chi) chapter on May 4, 2014
Weighing in:
Alpha Xi Delta is the newest sorority on campus, but they’re making their way out of that label quickly, especially after coming in first place in their first Greek Sing, third place in their first Greek Week overall, and being the highest fundraisers for their first Relay for Life. Because of being fresh on the scene, this organization holds a large variety of personalities and backgrounds within their group, making them a strong contender within the already-built Panhellenic Association at Temple. Though dedicated to their philanthropy yearly, you can find these ladies at every turn in the month of April, which is Autism Awareness Month. When I asked Nadia Elshami, Alpha Xi Delta's Vice President of Chapter Life, to describe her women in three words, Nadia said "encouraging, intelligent, and outgoing!" Take a look at what these ladies are up to!
Delta Phi Epsilon
- Greek letters: ΔΦΕ
- Colors: Royal purple and pure gold
- Flower: The lovely purple Iris
- Jewel: Pearl
- Mascot: Unicorn
- Philanthropies: Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Delta Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation
- Motto: To Be Rather Than To Seem To Be
- Founded March 17, 1917
- Founded the Temple University (Delta Nu) chapter on May 2, 2009
Weighing in:
Delta Phi Epsilon is neither new nor old to the sororities at Temple, which has them shaking things up on campus all of the time. Their philanthropy is really one a kind to Temple, having these Deephers, along with other fraternities and sororities on campus, dedicating week-long awareness programs to their philanthropies. Every year, DPhiE also hosts arguably one of the best of Greek Life events, Deepher Dude, which always brings in a packed house. I asked Mackenzie Abate, former Philanthropy Chair and New Member Educator of DPhiE, to describe her sisterhood in a sentence. Mackenzie happily responded, "We're a melting pot because we bring so many different and inspiring women together." You can follow these women on their website.
Delta Zeta
- Greek letters: ΔΖ
- Colors: Rose and green
- Flower: Pink Killarney Rose
- Jewel: Diamond
- Mascot: Turtle
- Philanthropies: Speech and Hearing; The Painted Turtle and The Starkey Hearing Foundation
- Founded on October 24, 1902
- Found the Temple University (Delta Tau) chapter in 1956
Weighing in:
Delta Zeta is home to the “girly-est” sorority on campus, but don’t be fooled by their colors. These DeeZees are one of the largest sororities nationally and have held epic Tug-of-Wars on campus where the money was donated to one of their philanthropies, The Painted Turtle. These women have also worked largely in the past with the Philadelphia community and have helped out at the Street Tails Animal Rescue in Philadelphia, as well. I asked Jennifer Sever, Delta Zeta's Vice President of Programs, what three words she uses to describe her sisterhood. She enthusiastically responded, "passionate, fearless, and accepting." These ladies can be found on their website.
Phi Sigma Sigma
- Greek letters: ΦΣΣ
- Colors: King blue and gold
- Flower: American Beauty Rose
- Jewel: Sapphire
- Philanthropy: Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation
- Motto: Aim High
- Founded on November 26, 1913
- Founded the Temple University (Xi) chapter in 1926
Weighing in:
The Temple chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma is one of the most achieved chapters in Phi Sigma Sigma history. Sporting their navy rain coats, these ladies are always out at Alumni Circle canning for their organization’s foundation. These women also own the only official sorority house on campus, making young ladies going through recruitment swoon to their chapter. When I asked Madison Mills, a sister of Phi Sig, about the three words she uses to describe her sisterhood, her response was "motivating, accepting, and uplifting... through many ups and downs, it's helped me become the person I am today." You can follow Phi Sig!
