Sigma Sigma Sigma begins recruitment at MU

MU gains a fourteenth sorority with Sigma Sigma Sigma.

By Matt Schmertz

Published Sept. 9, 2008

While women across campus get situated into their sorority houses, one chapter is starting its recruitment process.

Since Phi Mu sorority was re-chartered in 2001, the Panhellenic Association at MU has consisted of 13 sororities - until now. This year, Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority started the process of colonizing at MU.

The organizers hope to provide women who are interested in Greek life with an alternative option to the sororities already present on campus.

"We want to provide an option for more women that want to be engaged leaders in the Greek community," Extension Director Beth Fisher said.

Formal recruitment for PHA sororities took place the week before classes started, and a record-breaking number of freshmen students meant an especially high number of women taking part. This year, 1,306 women participated, up from 1,160 last year. Multi-Cultural Greek Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council sororities hold their own recruitment events throughout the year.

Unlike the other 13 PHA sororities who rely primarily on formal recruitment to gain new members, Sigma Sigma Sigma will be taking a different approach to recruitment in its first year at MU.

Sigma Sigma Sigma plans to participate in events around campus including information sessions throughout the month, Mizzou Up All Night and their own formal recruitment.

Sigma Sigma Sigma officially started the formal recruitment process this week with an open house on Monday night to introduce the women to the chapter. The open house will be followed by a philanthropy event tonight.

The theme for the service event is "Sigma Serves Children." Wednesday night will consist of an invitation-only preference ceremony that will explain in detail exactly what Sigma Sigma Sigma is looking for in new members. 

The purpose of the formal recruitment is to let the women know the benefits of the organization and show them what everything will look like in the future, Fisher said.

Director of Chapter Services Lorin Phillips explained that throughout the recruitment process, the colony will be looking for women who will contribute to their campus and local communities, commit to academic success, and want to have fun while fulfilling the purpose they've defined as a group.

Throughout the recruitment process, the Sigma Sigma Sigma organization has been extremely impressed with the amount of support given by the Greek community and the Office of Greek Life, Phillips said.

"PHA is really excited to have Tri Sigma join our community," PHA spokeswoman Audrey Danner said. "We hope that with the addition of a new chapter more women can join our community."