[Guest Post] All About the MIT Panhellenic Association

This is a guest blog post from the MIT Panhellenic Association, which oversees seven of MIT’s women’s+ constitutions. I’ve never gone through sorority recruitment( and I am not in a sorority ). Nonetheless, I think that these organizations are a distinctive part of MIT student life and can provide huge societies for students that complement those found in MIT’s dormitories and other Independent Living Groups. I likewise admire the most recent acts by MIT Panhel to be transparent about how they’re working on addressing many of the issues within their system. I hope that you, like me, can learn more about MIT Panhel through this affix!

The MIT Panhellenic Association, the most important one women’s+ parish on campus, unites MIT’s seven arrangements under the values of sisterhood, award, service, lead, unity, and growing. We help values-based recruitment, in that we hope sororities and possible new members will connect on mutually-shared values. Each sorority also has a respective adage and a peculiar , non-disjoint set of values. We to be expected that through this pole, you can see what some of those appreciates are and how we strive to uphold them: as individuals, as friends, and as communities.

Hi there! We’re the authors of this pole: Mulan, Siyoung, and Ana. We’ll start off by sharing a bit about ourselves and then move on to our personal perspectives on sorority life.

A Flake About Ourselves

Mulan

I’m a rising sophomore studying mechanical engineering( 2 ), primarily from Kansas. I live in Next House and am involved with Asian Dance Team( ADT ), RingComm, TechX THINK, and Next Haunt. You’ll normally find me buying boba in Lobby 10, napping in Barker, or psetting in the 4E( my Next House wing) sofa. I joined my sorority the come of my rookie time and am now the Primary Recruitment Coordinator, Website Coordinator, and Panhel Delegate!

Siyoung

I’m a rising sophomore studying math and computer science( 18 C ). Home is both South Korea and Southern California. I went through

Primary Recruitment01

Primary Recruitment: a series of conversation-based recruitment contests sponsored by Panhel, held in the beginning of the come semester, that gives a chance to meet every section

and met a sorority in my newcomer transgression, so I’ve been part of the Panhel community for almost a full year! When we were on campus, I was often located in my berthed in the biggest triple in McCormick or snoring in one of the cozy chairs in the McCormick penthouses. I’m too ADT’s Director of Internal Relations (~ fancy~ highway of saying that I coordinate social events) and in my sorority, I contain the positions of Special Happenings Coordinator( planning formal ), CPW Coordinator( planning…you suspected it, CPW ), and Social Events Coordinator( strategy mixers with other student radicals ).

Ana

I’m a rising junior in the math( 18) and ideology( 24 -1) departments( if I ever declare my double major, lolol ). I’ve moved at pretty much every critical point in my life( before elementary, before high school, and before college ), so my home is pretty spread out in the country, but I’m currently in California. You can frequently find me on campus studying in the student center, watching dumb youtube videos in the smallest sized single in New House with my

big, 02

Big: an initiated representative who is paired with you to be a guide, instructor, and friend

twin, 03

Twins: members who share the same large-scale

and

little04

Little: the inverse of a big

( we live in the same dorm, hehe ), or cooking whatever Mexican food I’ve managed to make with the Trader Joe’s flour tortillas (: /). On campus, I directed as a Tech Caller( chore of necessity , not hand-picked ), mentor for the Math Learning Center, and product editor for the Tech( I too wrote one( 1) article, but it doesn’t actually counting )!

I affiliated my sorority through

Ongoing Open Recruitment( COR) 05

Continuous Open Recruitment: a series of conversation-based recruitment incidents sponsored by individual assemblies, deemed throughout the fall and outpouring semesters( also known as COR)

in my newcomer spring semester after moving to a new dorm! Immediately after attaching, I became a Sisterhood Chair( we plan happens) and Publicity Chair( we oversee the website and Instagram ). The semester after that, I attached our exec as a Recruitment Chair( complete transparency, hehe ).

Personal Perspectives on Sorority Life

Mulan

My greatest suspicion penetrating MIT was that I wouldn’t make any friends. Having grown up with the same group of beings since I was seven years old, the relevant recommendations of getting to know new people was daunting in and of itself. Paired with my introversion and shyness, obliging friends seemed like a nearly impossible concept.

At the beginning of FPOP week, I arrived on campus full of that suspicion, which soon seemed to be confirmed by the fact that I didn’t make any deep acquaintances during those first five days. Sure, I liked everyone I match, but I incessantly felt self-conscious, like I was trying to always has become a bubbly and energetic person that parties might like. I grasp to the few people I knew from before MIT, afraid of the small talk and awkward openings that came with intersect new people.

It was on a quirk that I decided to sign up for sorority recruitment. The two beings I hung out with during REX were going, and I didn’t want a weekend of walking around campus trying to find someone to talk to. Going in on the first day, I had absolutely no expectations. In my home state of Kansas, my intuition was that sororities were for the white-hot and wealthy, the girls who dressed in identical floral publish garbs and merely smiled for the camera. Even as the Panhel Recruitment Counselors represented raucou music to hype us up, I refused to have any hopes. It was only when I strolled out of my

first party, 06

Party: not an actual party, but preferably a conversation-based event where possible new members converge and talk to members of a specific sorority

having had a great experience chatting with members about boba and Asian Dance Team, that I realized that sorority life might actually be for me.

Looking back, most of recruitment was a blur. You fill a lot of people, reproduce your little intro of your appoint and hometown and prospective major countless seasons, and approximately proceed hoarse from trying to talk amidst the strident defendants. However, I can still clearly remember the first time I assembled the people who would go on to become part of my MIT family. On the first day, I talked to Kat, who is currently my big, and immediately felt at home. She was so genuine and warm that even without realizing it, I was able to open up and exactly be myself. As I continued to meet other members, I stopped worrying about How To Make Friends and simply experienced their company. My views on sororities were upended within three days and by the end, I was confident that I wanted to join this community of people who shared the same costs of sisterhood, fellowship, busines, leadership, integrity, and emergence that I did.

My sorority was the first community I was almost like I absolutely belonged in on campus. From the first day, when my Iris Sister( a sort of temporary large-scale) trod me to years to quarantine, when I receives an inexplicable package in the mail that turned out to be a steamed bao ambient light from my large-hearted, I’ve never had to go through a epoch of the MIT experience alone. The members in my sorority please give me advice on professors and activities, approval during tough times, countless storages of movie darkness and dumpling jaunts, and more importantly, the chance for me to grow into my most genuine self.

Siyoung

I went through Primary Recruitment and attached my sorority without reckoning very deeply, without knowing much about Greek Life. I liked all of the sororities, but I chose my sorority because I had the best conversations with them. Still, I was a bit skeptical–how likely was it that a few days of short, albeit good, conversations were accurate indications to the right parish for me? Hence, my point of view was,’ let’s precisely try it out, and if I don’t like it, I’ll drop out later.’ I maintained a similarly informal mindset in the beginning of my first semester. I also had to miss a lot of congregates due to dance conflicts so I wasn’t terribly involved with the sorority.

I’m so glad that I deposit with it, though, because better than good things take time. Throughout the die semester, I naturally got to know more beings, extremely my

family line, 07

Family Line: a sequence of large-scale- little relationships that culminate in a tree, e.g. little- big-hearted- grand-big- great-grand-big( also known as famline, fam path)

despite the few incidents that I attended. I flowed for three coordinator positions and began coordinating our formal and a multitude of social mixers( which were all canceled due to COVID-1 9, but that’s besides the site ).

I also went through genuinely meaningful know-hows with my members, like our retreat at an outdoor center in the Berkshires–we talked and sat in the freezing cold next to a mildly heated barrage, screamed while being descent through the breeze in a monstrous jive, and toasted( praised/ celebrated) and ribbed one another. In the springtime, going through Continuous Open Recruitment on the member side and going on coffee years with possible new members was another really memorable know-how. The combination of these bonding affairs and the day-to-day interactions moved me thrive terribly and taught me what our values of right, sisterhood, and adoration stand for and how to stand for them.

Going virtual has been tough and I genuinely miss hanging out with our members in person, but through our Slack workspace and Zoom announces, I’m so grateful that I can continue to give and receive charity and endorsement. I can’t wait to keep developing as private individuals and as part of my empowering community.

Ana

There are a couple of decisions that I’ve reached so far that I know changed the course of my life. The first was my 7yo self’s meme decision to go to MIT; the latest was deciding to join my sorority.

I met Michelle, my large-scale, during my freshman outpouring, having just moved to an entirely new dorm. I’d struggled a lot in the fall–I had removed a class, struggled to keep love from “schools “, and ran a chore I disliked to earn money for flights home.

Michelle invited me to my first recruitment contest. As a newcomer, I was unbelievably insecure about my interests and fervours. It meant something, for me, to go to an affair where people were interested in things in the same way I was. It meant something, for me, to fall into exchanges about BTS( flow Dynamite, secreted on August 21 st >:) ), mysterious math knowledge, and this-one-thing-I-learned-in-my-philosophy-class.

I indicated my proposal, went through the brand-new representative process, and accomplished

Initiation.08

Initiation: a ceremony where new members are brought into full membership of a sorority

I retain thinking that it was a bit like I had slipped and fallen into a sorority. Still, I don’t regret any of it. I spotted a group of passionate, caring, sincere parties that I felt right at home with.

I attached my period because I thought it was perfect; the excellent parish, with the excellent friends and the excellent affairs. My previous assumption for how I’ve gotten an incredible community was that I was lucky. I was lucky that my big cared for me; lucky that someone was always free when I needed them; lucky that parties were so willing to take on my affection as their own.

What I’ve observe is that this doesn’t actually exist. No sorority on MIT’s campus is perfect. It was not luck; it was an immense effort presented gracefully.

When I be taken into consideration my section, I think of family, rely, and reciprocal respect. How did we become that? My large-hearted and I read this metaphor together, and I think that it’s unusually apt: relationships are often like baking bread. You put in the dough, uncooked, after some hours of effort kneading it into a hopefully proper chassis. Later, you pull out bread. When did the dough become bread? Even if you watched the oven, you could not tell.( I’ll personally venmo you$ 1 if you can tell me where this is from >:))

What I’ve learned is that relationships are never effortlessly easy. I remaining in my period because of the ardour and care that I have for the community I’ve built with my representatives. We’ve put in hours of work and effort, and still I would never be able to tell when my assembly became my home.

These are our perspectives and knows, but we’re only three people. Now are some more testimonies from the Panhellenic community. Some testaments are slightly edited for clarity.

Sigma Kappa( SK )

“The thing that most lured me to SK was how much the people loved one another. At the

conflict party09

Conflict Party: a makeup recruitment party for those who have conflicts, such as athletics or religious observances

and

liking daylight, 10

Preference Day: the third round of Primary Recruitment where you revisit up to two sororities( also known as pref day)

it was obvious to me that most of the members knew each other really well because they knew what each person was interested in and what their idiosyncrasies used to be like. I knew I wanted to be a part of this love society. Another intellect was that a lot of people whom I certainly look up to were in SK, so I knew that there was something special about it.”

“I stayed in SK because of the cute institutions and astonishing, friendly parties. My favorite tradition is Friday SKooks. Every Friday, we be engaged in the first floor stud with around 200 cookies for other SKs to stop by and experience throughout the day. People really hang out there whenever they have free time, so there are always other SKs around start fucking talking to and loosen with. It’s super healthful and sugared, and it’s something that fix me genuinely recognize being part of SK when I was a brand-new member. One of my favorite things about my s( k) isters is being able to see a affectionate face everywhere on campus. Sometimes I have an off epoch, but I always feel better when I understand one of my members smile brightly at me and stop to have a conversation. It makes me feel so enjoyed. Everybody is so sweet and funny, and I enjoy that my

obligation class11

Pledge Class: a group of members who joined their sorority at the same time( also known as initiation class)

is so close too. We’ve gotten brunch together, move out together, and danced together at our descend generosity incident, the SK Late Night talent show. I genuinely contemplate my MIT experience would be a lot more lonely and perplexing if I wasn’t a part of SK, especially since Primary Recruitment makes locate transgression semester, so I’ve had this support system my part meter here.”

Delta Phi Epsilon( DPhiE )

“I was initially hesitant to join a sorority because of my previous concerns with the hyper-feminine stereotype I only knew from pop culture. A friend from “schools ” reached out to me to join Continuous Open Recruitment in the precipitate and secure me that my name as a gender non-conforming person would be respected and supported by members the whole way through. I got to meet so many cool people during coffee schmoozes that I wanted to get to know the rest of the assembly extremely! ”

“I stay in my sorority for the person or persons. I’ve befriended a lot of my promise class, as we’ve taken some grades together, and have had so much support from upperclassmen on life at MIT. It’s so nice to see members around campus that you know have your back and “youve had” theirs. My family line has been especially amazing in link with me and making sure that I’ve been supported throughout my first time at MIT.”

Kappa Alpha Theta( Theta )

“Going through recruitment, I observed people who I actually combined with in Theta. They were some of the most kind and down to earth parties I had congregated. Beyond that, I likewise witnessed myself unbelievably inspired by what these women had accomplished so far at MIT and beyond. What really made me attach was my own desire to be my best self, and never stop seeking my feelings with the same confidence and enthusiasm I discovered in these women. It seemed like a excellent fit.”

“The reason why I enjoy being a part of Theta is because I feel promoted up by everyone around me. Almost like if you’re loping a marathon and feel yourself getting tired, but the crowd and circumventing adrenaline kinda gathers you forward. I’m lucky that I located a community where everyone is really inspiring, open, willing to help, and time recreation in general.”

Alpha Epsilon Phi( AEPhi )

“Freshman year, someone I barely knew extended an invitation to a Continual Open Recruitment event. Oftentimes we don’t know when the important moments happen in our lives, at least not until we look back. For me, choosing to go to this event, choosing to join AEPhi, picking every day, to stay, has defined my college know and altered who I am as a person.”

“Being in a sorority “ve been given” a residence. It’s going to section and being able to take a break after a long day and just be silly. It’s eating breakfast with my family line. It’s proposing amusing episodes and helping to manufacture vine compilations for our elderlies. It’s affection my sisters and being enjoyed. It’s feeling comfortable and safe while still growing to become the best version of myself.”

“AEPhi has given me a cavity filled with people who value me and our friendship. I miss my community like crazy and I can’t wait until I can see them again. But in the meantime, I cherish getting to call beings to watch anime, play video games, or simply be together on a Zoom call.”

Alpha Phi( APhi )

“I chose to join a sorority in order to find a patronage community on campus and meet reached, encouraging, and inspiring individuals. I remain in my sorority because of the strong love I organized with my members and the great advice and guidance I get from them, as well. I gaped up to and admired all of the upperclassmen in Alpha Phi and I thought they would be great friends and role models. The brace I get from my APhi representatives is priceless, whether we’re working together on psets, sharing opinion for profession and internships, or simply hanging out and going to dinner. Love my members! ”

“Something I’ll never forget is waking up at 5:30 am to go on my big’s radio show. We trudged over to Walker Memorial in freezing darkness only to host a show that probably little than 3 parties were listening to. However, we had a great time talking about anything from crocs to the Women’s March. We likewise strictly represented music from the Beatles’ white-hot album.”

Alpha Chi Omega( AXO )

“I don’t think I ever doubted my have also decided to do recruitment and join a sorority, but if I had to pick one reason why I stayed, it would definitely be my large-hearted. During our Shriek( hang out one-on-one time ), I learned so much better about her and too felt so cozy sharing things about myself despite having interacted with her just for short amounts of term before. When it became official that she would be my big, I was over the moon and ever since she’s always been someone I could turn to for advice and someone I can tell all my little life revises to.”

“I chose AXO because I immediately saw myself at home among people who are industrious, driven, compassionate, and so much more! I affiliated because it offered me a chance to meet a variety of different parties which has allowed me to meet some of our friend that I live, manipulate, and jaunt with all the time. I’m surrounded by people who help me be the best version of myself that I can be. My representatives are constantly supporting me in my own seeks, while at the same time are encouraging me to branch out and try brand-new things, facilitating me stretch in every aspect imaginable.”

“When I look at my representatives, I recognize real, strong people that each have their own individual aspects that I look up to. College is a place for growing and surrounding myself with diverse parties has met me able to help define who I want to be , now, and in the future. Joining AXO allowed me to meet some of the best friends I’ve ever had. MIT feels a lot more like a dwelling thanks to the family I’ve found in AXO and I wouldn’t sell that for anything.”

Pi Beta Phi( Pi Phi )

“Although I was initially reluctant to participate in recruitment because of preconceived stereotypes about sororities, my period immediately cleared me feel comfy during recruitment. I knew that these were people who would become my friends and engender me, and that my assembly would be a community I could count on as I started meeting my plaza at MIT.”

“Shortly after meeting Pi Phi, I got to go on many sister years with older representatives. I experienced every one of those dates, and I couldn’t imagine losing the chance to get to know all of those people better and eventually have one of them as my big.”

“My family line instantly became some of my best friends at all of MIT. I turned to older members over and over again for advice and support, both academic and personal, and have myself become that older member to newer representatives. Pi Phi has been a solid rock of friendship that I can always count on.”

Our sorority suffers are both unique and shared. A number of members of the Panhellenic community have similarly seen their MIT families within their sororities. For some, is in conformity with a sorority means being in “a safe space at MIT” or “a much larger community as an AFROTC cadet and Aero/ Astro major in the late 80′ s, when my parish of women was limited” while for others, their sorority is a place full of parties “who I passionately admire, who are bold and ambitious, who rise up to the challenge and are unapologetically themselves.” Being in a sorority is about “family”, “truly being myself and always being supported”, and meet “great friends and role models.”

Sorority life is far from perfect, as Ana said. We struggle with methodical intolerance, classism, and discrimination against queer beings. As a community, we are striving to make changes to the institutional questions that environment sororities. We are nursing diversity, equity, and inclusion workshops and making active changes to the recruitment process to make it more welcoming to all. We are being more transparent about commerces, commencing with a commerce booklet that includes breakdowns of dues and definitions of relevant terms. We’re striving to make sure that sororities are truly based on a designate of shared values rather than superficial traits. We know that we still have a lot of progress to move, but we hope that through our efforts, Panhel can be a place where all people can feel subsidized and sanctioned.

As we type this blog post and source commendations from different regions of all countries of the world, we’re all connected by our values and adore for our respective sororities. Even as we enter an amazing virtual semester, all the sororities in Panhel are striving to make sure their members still feel corroborated and that new members in particular are able to connect with the community. It may turn out that Greek life isn’t for you. And that’s completely okay–there are plenty of incredible people at MIT who are unaffiliated. No substance if it’s in a sorority or a living parish or another group, we hope that you’ll find your dwelling under the dome.

Follow us on Instagram at @mitpanhel or check out our website!

Read more: mitadmissions.org