October 17, 2025 • 26 mins
The stereotypical sorority experience is well-known, negative, and (unsurprisingly) not true of every chapter. Most people think they know what Greek life - but what do the insiders say?
This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley explore Greek life within UT Tyler's Alpha Chi Omega chapter. Joining the discussion are Alpha Chi's alumni advisor Michelle Gonzalez and chapter president Elizabeth Nixon to share the impact of sisterhood on their college journeys. Together, they dive into their experiences with sorority culture, community outreach, and career prep opportunities. For students curious about what Greek life is really like, the stories may not be what you expect.
Have more questions about life inside a sorority? Email us at ADRquestions@gmail.com or leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!
Want to learn more or connect with UT Tyler's Greek Life? Click the links below!
-UT Tyler Sorority recruitment webpage: https://www.uttyler.edu/student-life/greek-life/recruitment/sororityrecruitment/
-Alpha Chi Omega UT Tyler Instagram: @axo_uttyler
-Alpha Chi Omega UT Tyler Facebook page: Kappa Mu Chapter - Alpha Chi Omega
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:04):
Stay tuned to the Ask Dr.
Ross Podcast.
It's created to give you info tosucceed at college.
Our hosts are highly qualified.
Dr.
Katherine Ross is a member ofthe University of Texas Systems
Academy of DistinguishedTeachers.
She's also a popular professorof 19th century English
literature.
Ask Dr.
(00:24):
Ross is a community service ofthe University of Texas at
Tyler.
SPEAKER_04 (00:31):
Well, today we're interviewing two representatives
of one of the sororities at UTTyler.
Michelle Gonzalez, who is thechapter advisor.
She's also one of our premieracademic advisors here.
And then Miss Elizabeth Nixon,who is the president of the
sorority, and the name of thesorority is Elizabeth?
Alpha Chi Omega.
(00:52):
Alpha Chi Omega.
SPEAKER_02 (00:54):
Michelle, how many sororities do we have on this
campus now?
We have three sororities oncampus.
We have Alpha Chi Omega, DeltaGamma, and Zeta Tal Alpha.
And how big are they, Elizabeth?
SPEAKER_03 (01:05):
Our chapter right now, after recruitment, we have
67 girls, and most of the otherchapters have around the same.
67?
That sounds like a prettyhealthy complement of women.
SPEAKER_02 (01:16):
We all tend to be about the same size.
We are in the College PanalenicCouncil, so there is two
different councils here oncampus.
There's the multiculturalsororities.
We are in the CPH CollegePanalinic Council within our
council at those threesororities.
SPEAKER_04 (01:32):
That Panalenic Council, that's the ancient one
that started back in the 19thcentury with AD Pi and TriDelt,
and the ones I know my motherand my aunt were part of.
So do you know much about thehistory of them and why they
were started, Elizabeth?
SPEAKER_03 (01:46):
Honestly, I don't.
I just know we were founded hereon campus in 2006.
It was us and Delta Cama thatwere founded here first.
And I'm really glad that we didget Greek life because I feel
like UT Tyler wouldn't havegrown without it.
SPEAKER_04 (02:01):
So you think that UT Tyler's growth and UT Tyler has
grown from when I was here 20years ago, it was 3,200
students, and we have 11,000now.
So this interesting claim thatit was the Greek life that has
made UT Tyler grow.
Would you agree with that,Michelle?
SPEAKER_02 (02:18):
I think it's essential to the student
experience.
You know, us being out here inEast Texas, the other closest
school with uh Greek experienceis SFA, Stephen F.
Austin.
So with them being the closestone, UT Tyler providing this
Greek experience, you know,definitely enhances the student
experience that they have andand it, you know, creates bonds
to the school.
(02:39):
A lot of our students that arein the coordinated admissions
process that they're on track togo to UT Austin end up staying
here after joining Greek lifebecause they've made friends and
they've made connections.
Yeah, let's talk about that.
SPEAKER_04 (02:53):
Elizabeth, tell us what attracted you to the Greek
life and what does Greek lifemean?
SPEAKER_03 (02:58):
Well, when I came in as a freshman, I had no idea
what a sorority was.
I found out through a friendthat graduated in high school
with me.
She was in Alpha Chiomeg, and Iwas like, that looks fun.
So I went through recruitment.
And then I remember one of thequestions being, so are you
interested in leadership?
And I was like, what isleadership?
I had no idea.
(03:19):
And I'm so glad I got to talk toit and everything, because I
came in to the first chapter,and they were like, you should
run for this position.
And I was like, I don't know ifI could do it.
And then they had put me on aninterest form and they were
like, I think you could do it.
And so I did it.
SPEAKER_04 (03:36):
So your idea of sorority life was it was fun.
And there might have been thisstuff about leadership now.
Michelle, I think you probablycan articulate a little more
broadly what all these thingswere, because you're the first
one to use the term Greek life.
And you were in sorority, right?
SPEAKER_02 (03:51):
Yes, ma'am.
I'm an Alpha Chai Omega.
I went through recruitment verymany springs ago.
I was initiated into the EpsilonLambda chapter at UT Arlington.
When I moved here, they needed avolunteer position.
I volunteered.
But the leadership opportunitiesthat are given, so within the
chapter, there are 15 leadershippositions.
So when members pay their dues asemester, these dues are then
(04:14):
spread out amongst these 15 vicepresidents.
And then this money is used fortheir events, for their
t-shirts, for their food, to payfor, you know, buses to get them
back and forth.
So all the money they pay isgiven right back to them through
their experiences.
SPEAKER_04 (04:29):
So that leadership is a matter of coming up with
projects, organizing them,getting them set up, paid for,
done.
So that's an interesting thing.
Now, isn't there also somethingabout scholarship?
SPEAKER_02 (04:42):
Yes, ma'am.
So there is a required GPA tomaintain.
There's a different one if youwant to be a vice president.
We call it the executive board.
To be on the executive board,there's a higher GPA
requirement.
What is the GPA requirement?
SPEAKER_03 (04:55):
3.0.
SPEAKER_04 (04:56):
3.0 to be a leader.
And to stay in the group and notever get kicked out, you have to
have a 2.8.
Which is almost a B.
It's pretty close to being a B.
SPEAKER_02 (05:07):
One of the vice presidents is intellectual
development.
Her task is that we get GPAsevery semester from the
Panolinic or Greek LifeDirector, and the VP ID goes
through them and she'll see,hey, who's maybe struggling this
semester?
Let's call them in.
What are some study strategiesthat we can do to help you?
You know, how can we helpmaintain your GPA higher?
(05:29):
Because obviously we know womenare here most importantly to
graduate and to go to school,and that's what we want to see
them succeed and do great.
So yeah, so VP ID, that that isher role to how can we
academically help you?
So she collaborates with careersuccess.
She'll collaborate with otheralumni to help, you know, find
resources for our members, offerstudy tips, she'll have study
(05:49):
hours in the library.
So yeah, we're definitelyinclined to help them succeed.
SPEAKER_04 (05:53):
Does Africai Omega have service projects,
Elizabeth?
SPEAKER_03 (05:57):
Yes, we have very many.
One of them we like to do in thefall is our casino night.
We'll invite everybody oncampus, staff, all our girls,
family, and friends to come andplay games and raise money for
the East Texas Crisis Center.
We uh help the East Texas CrisisCenter because our philanthropy
is domestic violence awarenessand they are the center in
(06:19):
Tyler.
We also do hands-on projectswith them as well.
SPEAKER_02 (06:23):
We've made bags for them, like they'll do Easter
baskets for the survivors in theshelter.
They'll do flamingos, that's aresale shop that's run through
ETCC.
So people donate their items andit's like a consignment store.
So you help to build up theirstock.
Yeah.
Go through the clothes and helpthem filter out what's good,
what will sell.
(06:44):
And they let the women at theshelter go through, pick like
work outfits so that they canget, you know, job interviews,
that kind of thing.
But yeah, every time the EastTexas Crisis Center needs
something, they'll usually reachout to us and be like, hey,
we're needing hands, you know,help us hide Easter eggs, help
us work this trick-or-treatevent that we're having.
So we'll usually go up there andhelp them out.
SPEAKER_04 (07:05):
So it sounds like that particular form of service
is also teaching you all a lotabout the life of women that are
not like yours.
SPEAKER_03 (07:17):
Yes, definitely.
There's so many opportunitiesthat I feel like if I wasn't in
Greek life, I wouldn't havegrown as much.
For one, time management, ofcourse.
We have a lot of events.
I host a lot of meetings,executive board meetings,
chapters.
SPEAKER_04 (07:32):
How often do y'all meet?
Once a week.
The whole sorority meets, once aweek.
Okay, now I understand thatyou've all talked to the
president about maybe one dayhaving a residence.
SPEAKER_03 (07:41):
Yes.
I've spoken to her.
She said potentially in thefuture, she's definitely looking
at a Greek row.
It's not in the plans right now,but she said she's definitely
thinking about it.
SPEAKER_04 (07:50):
Well that'll be one of your legacies to keep the
sorority sisters who come alongbehind you.
So you've grown by being aroundwomen who are less fortunate
than you.
You've grown by learning how tomanage yourself and be a leader.
What are some of the otherthings that you think this Greek
life has given to you?
SPEAKER_03 (08:06):
I feel like I just wouldn't have gotten the
experience from UT Tyler.
I feel like I've made so manydeep connections that I
definitely wouldn't have madeinside of a classroom.
And I'll always remember likethe late night study nights and
the hanging out and things likethat.
And I feel like that's reallywhat made my UT Tyler experience
so special.
SPEAKER_02 (08:27):
Let me tell you, she is Miss UT Tyler, okay?
She won the Homecoming Queen,and she is also a Rose scholar.
She's humble, but let me wellyou tell us.
Let me brag on how brag on her.
SPEAKER_03 (08:39):
I went through an interview process for the
Presidential Rose Scholarship,and then I was selected one out
of the ten.
SPEAKER_04 (08:45):
Well, y'all were introduced at convocation, and
it's my understanding that youall are going to be
spokespersons for theuniversity, that you will go out
and speak to the community aboutwhat goes on at UT Tyler, you're
a representative of theuniversity.
That's a mighty tall order.
SPEAKER_01 (09:02):
That's a really big deal.
You should be very, very proudof yourself.
Thank you.
And I was wondering too, whenyou were talking about you went
through some sort ofregistration process for getting
in.
So what does that look like forstudents who are maybe
interested in sororities butdon't really know if it's for
them?
What can they prepare for ifthey're wanting to apply?
SPEAKER_03 (09:20):
We have two different registration
processes.
We just finished our formalrecruitment, which is in the
fall, and it's one of our busiertimes of the year.
It's one you'll see more onsocial media in display to the
public.
We have three rounds that youget to go through sisterhood,
philanthropy, and preference.
And then the girls get to getinvited back to our room, get to
(09:44):
know a little bit more about us,our connection, and see if this
is where they belong.
And so that's kind of how we doit.
And then leading up, of course,we have all our social media and
like being on campus, trying topromote Alpha Chi and things
like that.
SPEAKER_04 (09:57):
It's my understanding, I mean, each of
y'all are all sororities, buteach of you has your own
personality, your own kind ofculture.
How would you distinguish AlphaChi Omega?
SPEAKER_03 (10:08):
For us, my go-to saying and our motto is real
strong women.
And that's how I feel like ourchapter reflects.
We're a bunch of real strongwomen that came together and
want to make a difference in thecommunity.
So what is a real strong woman?
It could be so many things.
To me personally, just growing,even if it's personality,
leadership, academics, as longas you're making a personal
(10:31):
growth and development in thechapter, I feel like you're a
real strong woman.
SPEAKER_04 (10:35):
Well, and you know, let's face it, college takes
some strength, doesn't it?
Take some courage.
There's many days when you walkaround going, Oh no, what am I
gonna do?
I I don't know how to do this,I'm scared, I'm worried, I'm
lonely, whatever.
And so strength I think is oneof the things I hope all my
students have.
And also confidence,self-confidence.
What else do you tell them?
SPEAKER_02 (10:55):
I think like-minded people just end up in similar
groups, honestly.
I think a lot of the times youjust connect with people and
you're like, this is where Ifeel right.
Yeah, these are my people.
Yeah, I will say I feel like ourphilanthropy, which is the cause
that we support, does drive alot of people.
Obviously, domestic violenceawareness is a very hard topic
(11:16):
to talk about.
And it's not one that's talkedabout very often, but I think
we're able to directly see thebenefits that we do for our
philanthropy, and we're able tosee the growth.
They reach out all the time andthey're like, Thank you so much
for everything you do.
So we're able to see that, andthat's very different than, you
know, let's mail a check.
So I think our philanthropydefinitely, you know, helps in
that way too.
But yeah, I think trulylike-minded people just end up
(11:38):
in the same groups.
So you the first one you callsisterhood.
SPEAKER_04 (11:41):
And so what does that look like?
SPEAKER_03 (11:44):
Well, sisterhood, we just really talk about our
sisterhood.
And you get 15 minutes to talkabout us and see your
personality with us and get toknow us a little bit.
And usually it's like, what'syour major?
How old are you?
SPEAKER_04 (11:57):
So it's a chance to get to know each other.
Do you also though talk with theprospects about what you all are
like t with each other, or isthat just something they kind of
note and see in the group?
SPEAKER_03 (12:07):
Aaron Ross Powell I feel like it goes both ways.
We of course show them a bunchof pictures and activities we
get to do and all the bondingactivities, but then you're also
just getting to know them aswell.
SPEAKER_04 (12:17):
And then the second session is you talk about the
philanthropy, huh?
That's a heavy duty one.
SPEAKER_02 (12:22):
And I think that's one of their biggest like prides
of being Alpha Omegas is thatyou know, nationwide we all
support domestic violenceawareness, but every chapter
will work with their localshelter work.
Wherever they're at, they'llpick a local institution to help
out.
So I think it's a conversationthat a lot of members maybe
might have not known beforehand,but coming in and seeing that
(12:44):
and being able to make so muchimpact when you're just hanging
out with your friends, you know.
Casino night is a fun event thatyou get to bring your family in
and you know, gather money andyou get to play blackjack and
Texas Hold'em, but really you'rechanging someone's life.
They don't realize the impactthat they're making until they
sit back and look at like, oh mygosh, we did that, like we were
able to raise this much money.
(13:05):
Because we don't make any profitoff of any philanthropy event.
We send everything directlyover.
So it's it's great to see thatthey've been able to build that
community bond and help outTyler itself.
SPEAKER_04 (13:17):
So that's the kind of experience that you said has
made you really feel as thoughwith the sorority you've really
gotten something more out ofthis life here.
That's so neat.
And did the other two sororitieshave a philanthropy similar to
this?
SPEAKER_03 (13:30):
Zeta Tel Alpha, theirs is breast cancer research
awareness and then Delta Gammais service for sight.
SPEAKER_04 (13:39):
So now I notice you call it recruitment, not rush.
Is rush a bad word?
SPEAKER_02 (13:44):
It's not a bad word.
I think it just doesn'taccurately place what we're
doing.
You know, so when you say rush,recruitment is more what you're
going through.
SPEAKER_04 (13:55):
It's a kind of a more serious term, isn't it?
You're recruiting to a lifetogether and a project together.
I know we don't have a Greekhouse yet or a a an Alpha Chi
Omega house, but are you able tolive close to each other?
Are you all mostly on campus?
SPEAKER_03 (14:11):
Most of us are on campus.
If we didn't get housing, I meanI didn't get housing and I live
across the street with one of mysisters, Zoe, and most of us
live together because we'retogether most of the time.
SPEAKER_04 (14:22):
So there is some of that sense of living together
communal life, okay.
So how many will uh be recruitedand how many will agree to
become part of your group?
SPEAKER_03 (14:35):
It really just depends on how big the number of
girls that are wanting to join.
We call them potential newmembers, sign up for
recruitment.
This recruitment we almost hit ahundred.
How do they know to come to yourgroup?
Most of the time it's socialmedia or we'll do our own work
and reach out to students thatwe see on Instagram posting
their UT Tyler announcement, andwe'll be like, hey, have you
(14:58):
ever thought about Greek life?
SPEAKER_04 (14:59):
And it's all the same week.
So everybody's doing it.
The buzz is out there.
Do you decide who gets in or dothey decide?
SPEAKER_02 (15:07):
So recruitment is a mutual selection process.
Through Panalytic, they dowhat's called a quota and they
have chapter totals.
So the goal is for all thechapters to stay in similar
sizes.
Because if we don't, then therewould be one mega chapter and
everyone is trying to catch up.
The quota this year was set at26.
So that's how many new memberswe each got.
(15:28):
The quota is based on how manywomen went through recruitment
and how big are the chapterscurrently.
So it looks like through thisrecruitment, everyone could get
26 women and be in similarsizes.
So that's what we went with.
SPEAKER_04 (15:39):
So of the hundred who went through this process, a
little over 75 will get in.
SPEAKER_02 (15:45):
And like I said, it's a mutual selection process.
So the potential new membersevery night they'll go in and
rank the chapters that they wantin what order they like them.
And then the chapter membersthemselves or every authority
will also submit a list sayingthis is who we like.
And then there's a differentspecialist at another school
that has no affiliation to us orany of the authorities on
(16:05):
campus.
She'll do the matching and thenwe will receive list the next
morning that tell us who isreturning to visit with us then
next day.
SPEAKER_04 (16:13):
But now the women that are potential recruits, do
they know that they've beenranked or do they know how
they've been ranked?
Or is that private?
SPEAKER_02 (16:21):
No, they don't know how they've been ranked.
They are notified if they arecut from the recruitment
process.
They will receive a call thatmorning to let them know.
Unfortunately, they have beenreleased from the recruitment
process.
I will say at UD Tyler that it'svery rare for that to happen.
So that's great to see that mostwomen are able to be placed.
(16:41):
Some people choose to withdrawfrom the recruitment process.
Sometimes, you know, they findout the financial part and
they're like, that's notsomething I could do.
Well, and that was the nextquestion.
Tell us about the financial partbecause it is not cheap.
SPEAKER_03 (16:53):
Yes.
For new members coming in, it isa lot more because we're giving
them a lot more.
So we're giving them everythingthey need to succeed in the
chapter.
So that will start at$1,050 as anew member in that first
semester.
Once you are initiated, the nextsemester it goes down to$650.
(17:13):
So it cuts almost in half.
SPEAKER_04 (17:15):
So if my math is right, the first year, if you're
a new member, you're going topay$1,700 for a year.
Then after that, it's$6.50 asemester.
So it's$1,300 a year.
Now, I think you said, Michelle,that this money is then spread
out to be used by the variousofficers.
SPEAKER_02 (17:33):
Correct.
So some of this event will besisterhood events.
There's a big sisterhood retreatthey have every semester,
formals, which is, you know, asecond prom.
They have two of those bigevents a year.
This is how they fund thephilanthropy events that we
host.
They get t-shirts.
Sometimes they'll cater dinner.
If there's a little leftoverbudget, they'll be like, hey,
let's get everyone a sticker.
(17:54):
There's photo shoots thathappen, so those are all funded
through that.
But yeah, all the money that isgiven by the members is split up
amongst all those VPs soeveryone can host different
events.
So it's all given right back tothem.
SPEAKER_04 (18:07):
So now Elizabeth, I think you told me that this is
your second year as a president.
Tell us what's it like to be thepresident of a sorority and what
is the benefit for you and whatis your sort of vision for the
group that you are leading,these strong women that you're
leading.
SPEAKER_03 (18:22):
As president, I feel like I've just learned a lot of
personal lessons.
I've had to have a like a lot ofdifficult conversations.
SPEAKER_02 (18:29):
I think behavior and character tends to be the
hardest one for Elizabeth.
Just because obviously, as anadvisor, again, I'm older than
them, so I understand that maybeI think differently than you
know they do.
But social media will be anissue sometimes of like, hey,
this is kind of inappropriate,or like, hey, I know you're not
of age, and I see that you're ata place where you might need to
(18:51):
be of age.
So let's make sure no one isbreaking any laws.
Or, you know, just sometimeslike, hey, you're not as active
anymore, like, are you okay?
So yeah, Elizabeth is sometimesin a in a pickle because there
are friends at the end of theday.
SPEAKER_04 (19:04):
Well, of course they are.
Elizabeth, I want to give yousome support on that because as
a professor watching thestudents over the years, you
know, a lot of times studentsget away from home and they
don't have people to remind themthat there's certain sort of
lanes of proper behavior.
And there's sometimes when Ijust want to say, somebody's got
to remind them what their motheror their auntie or their
(19:27):
grandmother would have told themabout because they just get kind
of wild and loose.
And those things don't reflectwell on the woman herself.
It's a matter of personalgrowth.
There are times when I look atsome of my students when I want
to say, you know, you coulddress a little more
appropriately for school.
You know, school is a little bitlike a job, or you know, your
(19:48):
language is a little too crude.
Or several of my students, I'veseen them email people and say,
Hey, you know, in an emailthat's not very professional and
just little things like that.
Is that within the purview ofthe president?
Do you have to kind of help themalong the way with that?
Absolutely.
Well, I want to tell you I'mglad.
(20:08):
If we're really talking aboutsisterhood or big sisterhood in
the case of you, Michelle, Ithink it's wonderful that you
all kind of have their back inthat way.
And so it may be hard for you,but please know that I think a
whole lot of people would thankyou for that.
So w what else besides thesedifficult conversations that
(20:29):
have helped you to grow?
SPEAKER_03 (20:31):
I feel like I've just had a lot of people push me
to do better in all aspects.
Because you're the president.
Yes, like academics and havingtough conversations and making
sure I get all the service hoursthat I need and like reaching
out to the community and talkingto Dr.
Philly, the president of theuniversity.
It does give you theseopportunities, doesn't it?
SPEAKER_04 (20:52):
What about the other officers?
Do they have similaropportunities, Michelle?
SPEAKER_02 (20:56):
Every year our headquarters request for certain
members to be sent toheadquarters in Indianapolis,
Indiana.
So Elizabeth has represented theUT Tyler chapter at headquarters
multiple times.
There's a couple of vicepresidents that get sent along
with her.
Every vice president has anadvisor to them, which is an
alumni volunteer, to help thembuild leadership and they are
(21:18):
also able to connect with anyoneon campus.
Again, our VP Philanthropy worksvery closely with East Texas
Crisis Center.
Our VP ID will work closelywith, you know, career success
or tutoring.
I know we've had them come inbefore.
So even like our risk managementwill have the police department
come in to teach, you know, likealcohol awareness classes right
(21:40):
before spring break orself-defense classes.
So they get their position andthey can run with it.
So they're able to do as muchcontact as they want.
But yeah, we always telleveryone like you are always
wearing alpha guy omega letters.
So just keep that in mind.
You represent not just yourself,but the whole organization and
the all the alumna that comebefore you too.
SPEAKER_04 (21:58):
That makes me feel real good about this group.
Is there anything else wehaven't covered that you think
we'd like the folks to knowabout you all?
SPEAKER_02 (22:07):
I feel like Greek life really depends on the
campus that you're at.
For example, I would have neverjoined a sorority had I not been
at the school I was at.
You know, I came into collegesaying a sorority gross, I would
never do that.
And then I met women and theyall happen to be Alpha Omegas,
and I was like, okay, cool,interesting.
Maybe it's not what I thought itwas.
So I will say, like, is therebad culture at other schools?
(22:29):
Maybe.
But at UT Tyler, all thesororities have done a great job
at creating a really open andaccessible, I guess, environment
that they haven't, you know,excluded anyone.
The culture of the Greek lifewill really depend per campus.
Again, UT Tyler being not thatsmall of a campus anymore, but
them being a chapter of 67women, they all know each other.
(22:51):
They'll see each other oncampus, they'll see each other
in classes, they know eachother's majors, so they're able
to say, like, hey, did you takethis class before me?
They passed down textbooks,professor recommendations,
everything.
So I think it that helps a lotthat they all know each other.
One of my friends was at a bigchapter at a big school, and she
lived in the Swarty house, andshe was like, I walk around the
house and I don't recognize thepeople that are in the house.
(23:12):
It's that big.
Yeah.
She was like, I don't recognizesome of the people that like
live with me.
So it's great to see thattight-knit connection because we
are a smaller chapter in asmaller school.
I think as Alpha Kai Omega islike the goal is always to build
a real strong woman, right?
And to have you leave thechapter and you're ready to, you
know, see the world and take onthe world.
So we're always, how can we helpyou be a better student?
(23:35):
How can we help you be a betterperson?
How can we help you?
And again, they do all thisgrowth within the chapter that
they're not even aware of.
They're just having fun, youknow, and it's like, oh, they
just managed a hundred thousanddollars in a budget and spread
that out as underclassmen.
You know, by the time thatthey've graduated, RV finance
can say that she's managed over$100,000.
RVP philanthropy can say sheraises over$10,000 a semester
(23:58):
for philanthropy.
So it's amazing what they get todo.
Again, Elizabeth is humble, buther and I sit in two meetings a
week.
So that's at least what, two,four hours for us after school.
Not to include that some days wewill literally wake up texting
each other and go to bed textingeach other.
But she is great.
She's my backbone for all this.
And I think it says a lot toothat alumna come back and
(24:20):
volunteer.
And you know, we give back tothis experience because we had
such a great time as collegiateAlpha Chi members.
Well, you have a great timebeing the advisor now, don't
you?
Absolutely.
It's it's a lot.
But again, it's great to seethat if I'm able to help them
have a great experience, that'swhat I'm here for.
SPEAKER_01 (24:36):
Just as our final note, let's say somebody's
listened to the episode, they'recoming to UT Tyler and they're
interested in joining asorority.
Where do they go to find thatfirst opening?
Is there an application or wouldyou come to an on-campus event?
SPEAKER_03 (24:49):
I feel like you could go to pretty much
anything.
You can go on to PatriotsEngage, you can text us on
Instagram, you can meet us inclass and reach out, and we'll
find the opportunity and give itto you to join our chapter.
For formal recruitment in thefall, usually it's an
application.
We do a COB process in thespring.
(25:11):
Continuous open bidding.
And that one is not as intense,not all the social media and
rush, TikTok.
It's a great opportunity forgirls who think formal
recruitment is overwhelming, sothey can come in and do the COB
process.
SPEAKER_02 (25:24):
They can also contact the Greek office on
campus of student engagement,Robert Smith, he's the Greek
life director.
So they can contact him.
And honestly, I feel likeInstagram is a big one.
So if they find the UT TylerPanalenic Instagram, that works,
or the UTTAXO Instagram, thatone would work as well.
Awesome.
SPEAKER_01 (25:43):
And if anybody happens to have a question about
sorority live or a question thatwe could direct towards Michelle
or Elizabeth, you can leave acomment under the YouTube video,
or you can always email us atadrquestions at gmail.com.
We're very happy to hear fromyou and help you get ready for
college.
Stay tuned to the Ask Dr.
Ross Podcast.
It's created to give you info tosucceed at college.
Our hosts are highly qualified.
Dr.
Katherine Ross is a member ofthe University of Texas Systems
Academy of DistinguishedTeachers.
She's also a popular professorof 19th century English
literature.
Ask Dr.
(00:24):
Ross is a community service ofthe University of Texas at
Tyler.
SPEAKER_04 (00:31):
Well, today we're interviewing two representatives
of one of the sororities at UTTyler.
Michelle Gonzalez, who is thechapter advisor.
She's also one of our premieracademic advisors here.
And then Miss Elizabeth Nixon,who is the president of the
sorority, and the name of thesorority is Elizabeth?
Alpha Chi Omega.
(00:52):
Alpha Chi Omega.
SPEAKER_02 (00:54):
Michelle, how many sororities do we have on this
campus now?
We have three sororities oncampus.
We have Alpha Chi Omega, DeltaGamma, and Zeta Tal Alpha.
And how big are they, Elizabeth?
SPEAKER_03 (01:05):
Our chapter right now, after recruitment, we have
67 girls, and most of the otherchapters have around the same.
67?
That sounds like a prettyhealthy complement of women.
SPEAKER_02 (01:16):
We all tend to be about the same size.
We are in the College PanalenicCouncil, so there is two
different councils here oncampus.
There's the multiculturalsororities.
We are in the CPH CollegePanalinic Council within our
council at those threesororities.
SPEAKER_04 (01:32):
That Panalenic Council, that's the ancient one
that started back in the 19thcentury with AD Pi and TriDelt,
and the ones I know my motherand my aunt were part of.
So do you know much about thehistory of them and why they
were started, Elizabeth?
SPEAKER_03 (01:46):
Honestly, I don't.
I just know we were founded hereon campus in 2006.
It was us and Delta Cama thatwere founded here first.
And I'm really glad that we didget Greek life because I feel
like UT Tyler wouldn't havegrown without it.
SPEAKER_04 (02:01):
So you think that UT Tyler's growth and UT Tyler has
grown from when I was here 20years ago, it was 3,200
students, and we have 11,000now.
So this interesting claim thatit was the Greek life that has
made UT Tyler grow.
Would you agree with that,Michelle?
SPEAKER_02 (02:18):
I think it's essential to the student
experience.
You know, us being out here inEast Texas, the other closest
school with uh Greek experienceis SFA, Stephen F.
Austin.
So with them being the closestone, UT Tyler providing this
Greek experience, you know,definitely enhances the student
experience that they have andand it, you know, creates bonds
to the school.
(02:39):
A lot of our students that arein the coordinated admissions
process that they're on track togo to UT Austin end up staying
here after joining Greek lifebecause they've made friends and
they've made connections.
Yeah, let's talk about that.
SPEAKER_04 (02:53):
Elizabeth, tell us what attracted you to the Greek
life and what does Greek lifemean?
SPEAKER_03 (02:58):
Well, when I came in as a freshman, I had no idea
what a sorority was.
I found out through a friendthat graduated in high school
with me.
She was in Alpha Chiomeg, and Iwas like, that looks fun.
So I went through recruitment.
And then I remember one of thequestions being, so are you
interested in leadership?
And I was like, what isleadership?
I had no idea.
(03:19):
And I'm so glad I got to talk toit and everything, because I
came in to the first chapter,and they were like, you should
run for this position.
And I was like, I don't know ifI could do it.
And then they had put me on aninterest form and they were
like, I think you could do it.
And so I did it.
SPEAKER_04 (03:36):
So your idea of sorority life was it was fun.
And there might have been thisstuff about leadership now.
Michelle, I think you probablycan articulate a little more
broadly what all these thingswere, because you're the first
one to use the term Greek life.
And you were in sorority, right?
SPEAKER_02 (03:51):
Yes, ma'am.
I'm an Alpha Chai Omega.
I went through recruitment verymany springs ago.
I was initiated into the EpsilonLambda chapter at UT Arlington.
When I moved here, they needed avolunteer position.
I volunteered.
But the leadership opportunitiesthat are given, so within the
chapter, there are 15 leadershippositions.
So when members pay their dues asemester, these dues are then
(04:14):
spread out amongst these 15 vicepresidents.
And then this money is used fortheir events, for their
t-shirts, for their food, to payfor, you know, buses to get them
back and forth.
So all the money they pay isgiven right back to them through
their experiences.
SPEAKER_04 (04:29):
So that leadership is a matter of coming up with
projects, organizing them,getting them set up, paid for,
done.
So that's an interesting thing.
Now, isn't there also somethingabout scholarship?
SPEAKER_02 (04:42):
Yes, ma'am.
So there is a required GPA tomaintain.
There's a different one if youwant to be a vice president.
We call it the executive board.
To be on the executive board,there's a higher GPA
requirement.
What is the GPA requirement?
SPEAKER_03 (04:55):
3.0.
SPEAKER_04 (04:56):
3.0 to be a leader.
And to stay in the group and notever get kicked out, you have to
have a 2.8.
Which is almost a B.
It's pretty close to being a B.
SPEAKER_02 (05:07):
One of the vice presidents is intellectual
development.
Her task is that we get GPAsevery semester from the
Panolinic or Greek LifeDirector, and the VP ID goes
through them and she'll see,hey, who's maybe struggling this
semester?
Let's call them in.
What are some study strategiesthat we can do to help you?
You know, how can we helpmaintain your GPA higher?
(05:29):
Because obviously we know womenare here most importantly to
graduate and to go to school,and that's what we want to see
them succeed and do great.
So yeah, so VP ID, that that isher role to how can we
academically help you?
So she collaborates with careersuccess.
She'll collaborate with otheralumni to help, you know, find
resources for our members, offerstudy tips, she'll have study
(05:49):
hours in the library.
So yeah, we're definitelyinclined to help them succeed.
SPEAKER_04 (05:53):
Does Africai Omega have service projects,
Elizabeth?
SPEAKER_03 (05:57):
Yes, we have very many.
One of them we like to do in thefall is our casino night.
We'll invite everybody oncampus, staff, all our girls,
family, and friends to come andplay games and raise money for
the East Texas Crisis Center.
We uh help the East Texas CrisisCenter because our philanthropy
is domestic violence awarenessand they are the center in
(06:19):
Tyler.
We also do hands-on projectswith them as well.
SPEAKER_02 (06:23):
We've made bags for them, like they'll do Easter
baskets for the survivors in theshelter.
They'll do flamingos, that's aresale shop that's run through
ETCC.
So people donate their items andit's like a consignment store.
So you help to build up theirstock.
Yeah.
Go through the clothes and helpthem filter out what's good,
what will sell.
(06:44):
And they let the women at theshelter go through, pick like
work outfits so that they canget, you know, job interviews,
that kind of thing.
But yeah, every time the EastTexas Crisis Center needs
something, they'll usually reachout to us and be like, hey,
we're needing hands, you know,help us hide Easter eggs, help
us work this trick-or-treatevent that we're having.
So we'll usually go up there andhelp them out.
SPEAKER_04 (07:05):
So it sounds like that particular form of service
is also teaching you all a lotabout the life of women that are
not like yours.
SPEAKER_03 (07:17):
Yes, definitely.
There's so many opportunitiesthat I feel like if I wasn't in
Greek life, I wouldn't havegrown as much.
For one, time management, ofcourse.
We have a lot of events.
I host a lot of meetings,executive board meetings,
chapters.
SPEAKER_04 (07:32):
How often do y'all meet?
Once a week.
The whole sorority meets, once aweek.
Okay, now I understand thatyou've all talked to the
president about maybe one dayhaving a residence.
SPEAKER_03 (07:41):
Yes.
I've spoken to her.
She said potentially in thefuture, she's definitely looking
at a Greek row.
It's not in the plans right now,but she said she's definitely
thinking about it.
SPEAKER_04 (07:50):
Well that'll be one of your legacies to keep the
sorority sisters who come alongbehind you.
So you've grown by being aroundwomen who are less fortunate
than you.
You've grown by learning how tomanage yourself and be a leader.
What are some of the otherthings that you think this Greek
life has given to you?
SPEAKER_03 (08:06):
I feel like I just wouldn't have gotten the
experience from UT Tyler.
I feel like I've made so manydeep connections that I
definitely wouldn't have madeinside of a classroom.
And I'll always remember likethe late night study nights and
the hanging out and things likethat.
And I feel like that's reallywhat made my UT Tyler experience
so special.
SPEAKER_02 (08:27):
Let me tell you, she is Miss UT Tyler, okay?
She won the Homecoming Queen,and she is also a Rose scholar.
She's humble, but let me wellyou tell us.
Let me brag on how brag on her.
SPEAKER_03 (08:39):
I went through an interview process for the
Presidential Rose Scholarship,and then I was selected one out
of the ten.
SPEAKER_04 (08:45):
Well, y'all were introduced at convocation, and
it's my understanding that youall are going to be
spokespersons for theuniversity, that you will go out
and speak to the community aboutwhat goes on at UT Tyler, you're
a representative of theuniversity.
That's a mighty tall order.
SPEAKER_01 (09:02):
That's a really big deal.
You should be very, very proudof yourself.
Thank you.
And I was wondering too, whenyou were talking about you went
through some sort ofregistration process for getting
in.
So what does that look like forstudents who are maybe
interested in sororities butdon't really know if it's for
them?
What can they prepare for ifthey're wanting to apply?
SPEAKER_03 (09:20):
We have two different registration
processes.
We just finished our formalrecruitment, which is in the
fall, and it's one of our busiertimes of the year.
It's one you'll see more onsocial media in display to the
public.
We have three rounds that youget to go through sisterhood,
philanthropy, and preference.
And then the girls get to getinvited back to our room, get to
(09:44):
know a little bit more about us,our connection, and see if this
is where they belong.
And so that's kind of how we doit.
And then leading up, of course,we have all our social media and
like being on campus, trying topromote Alpha Chi and things
like that.
SPEAKER_04 (09:57):
It's my understanding, I mean, each of
y'all are all sororities, buteach of you has your own
personality, your own kind ofculture.
How would you distinguish AlphaChi Omega?
SPEAKER_03 (10:08):
For us, my go-to saying and our motto is real
strong women.
And that's how I feel like ourchapter reflects.
We're a bunch of real strongwomen that came together and
want to make a difference in thecommunity.
So what is a real strong woman?
It could be so many things.
To me personally, just growing,even if it's personality,
leadership, academics, as longas you're making a personal
(10:31):
growth and development in thechapter, I feel like you're a
real strong woman.
SPEAKER_04 (10:35):
Well, and you know, let's face it, college takes
some strength, doesn't it?
Take some courage.
There's many days when you walkaround going, Oh no, what am I
gonna do?
I I don't know how to do this,I'm scared, I'm worried, I'm
lonely, whatever.
And so strength I think is oneof the things I hope all my
students have.
And also confidence,self-confidence.
What else do you tell them?
SPEAKER_02 (10:55):
I think like-minded people just end up in similar
groups, honestly.
I think a lot of the times youjust connect with people and
you're like, this is where Ifeel right.
Yeah, these are my people.
Yeah, I will say I feel like ourphilanthropy, which is the cause
that we support, does drive alot of people.
Obviously, domestic violenceawareness is a very hard topic
(11:16):
to talk about.
And it's not one that's talkedabout very often, but I think
we're able to directly see thebenefits that we do for our
philanthropy, and we're able tosee the growth.
They reach out all the time andthey're like, Thank you so much
for everything you do.
So we're able to see that, andthat's very different than, you
know, let's mail a check.
So I think our philanthropydefinitely, you know, helps in
that way too.
But yeah, I think trulylike-minded people just end up
(11:38):
in the same groups.
So you the first one you callsisterhood.
SPEAKER_04 (11:41):
And so what does that look like?
SPEAKER_03 (11:44):
Well, sisterhood, we just really talk about our
sisterhood.
And you get 15 minutes to talkabout us and see your
personality with us and get toknow us a little bit.
And usually it's like, what'syour major?
How old are you?
SPEAKER_04 (11:57):
So it's a chance to get to know each other.
Do you also though talk with theprospects about what you all are
like t with each other, or isthat just something they kind of
note and see in the group?
SPEAKER_03 (12:07):
Aaron Ross Powell I feel like it goes both ways.
We of course show them a bunchof pictures and activities we
get to do and all the bondingactivities, but then you're also
just getting to know them aswell.
SPEAKER_04 (12:17):
And then the second session is you talk about the
philanthropy, huh?
That's a heavy duty one.
SPEAKER_02 (12:22):
And I think that's one of their biggest like prides
of being Alpha Omegas is thatyou know, nationwide we all
support domestic violenceawareness, but every chapter
will work with their localshelter work.
Wherever they're at, they'llpick a local institution to help
out.
So I think it's a conversationthat a lot of members maybe
might have not known beforehand,but coming in and seeing that
(12:44):
and being able to make so muchimpact when you're just hanging
out with your friends, you know.
Casino night is a fun event thatyou get to bring your family in
and you know, gather money andyou get to play blackjack and
Texas Hold'em, but really you'rechanging someone's life.
They don't realize the impactthat they're making until they
sit back and look at like, oh mygosh, we did that, like we were
able to raise this much money.
(13:05):
Because we don't make any profitoff of any philanthropy event.
We send everything directlyover.
So it's it's great to see thatthey've been able to build that
community bond and help outTyler itself.
SPEAKER_04 (13:17):
So that's the kind of experience that you said has
made you really feel as thoughwith the sorority you've really
gotten something more out ofthis life here.
That's so neat.
And did the other two sororitieshave a philanthropy similar to
this?
SPEAKER_03 (13:30):
Zeta Tel Alpha, theirs is breast cancer research
awareness and then Delta Gammais service for sight.
SPEAKER_04 (13:39):
So now I notice you call it recruitment, not rush.
Is rush a bad word?
SPEAKER_02 (13:44):
It's not a bad word.
I think it just doesn'taccurately place what we're
doing.
You know, so when you say rush,recruitment is more what you're
going through.
SPEAKER_04 (13:55):
It's a kind of a more serious term, isn't it?
You're recruiting to a lifetogether and a project together.
I know we don't have a Greekhouse yet or a a an Alpha Chi
Omega house, but are you able tolive close to each other?
Are you all mostly on campus?
SPEAKER_03 (14:11):
Most of us are on campus.
If we didn't get housing, I meanI didn't get housing and I live
across the street with one of mysisters, Zoe, and most of us
live together because we'retogether most of the time.
SPEAKER_04 (14:22):
So there is some of that sense of living together
communal life, okay.
So how many will uh be recruitedand how many will agree to
become part of your group?
SPEAKER_03 (14:35):
It really just depends on how big the number of
girls that are wanting to join.
We call them potential newmembers, sign up for
recruitment.
This recruitment we almost hit ahundred.
How do they know to come to yourgroup?
Most of the time it's socialmedia or we'll do our own work
and reach out to students thatwe see on Instagram posting
their UT Tyler announcement, andwe'll be like, hey, have you
(14:58):
ever thought about Greek life?
SPEAKER_04 (14:59):
And it's all the same week.
So everybody's doing it.
The buzz is out there.
Do you decide who gets in or dothey decide?
SPEAKER_02 (15:07):
So recruitment is a mutual selection process.
Through Panalytic, they dowhat's called a quota and they
have chapter totals.
So the goal is for all thechapters to stay in similar
sizes.
Because if we don't, then therewould be one mega chapter and
everyone is trying to catch up.
The quota this year was set at26.
So that's how many new memberswe each got.
(15:28):
The quota is based on how manywomen went through recruitment
and how big are the chapterscurrently.
So it looks like through thisrecruitment, everyone could get
26 women and be in similarsizes.
So that's what we went with.
SPEAKER_04 (15:39):
So of the hundred who went through this process, a
little over 75 will get in.
SPEAKER_02 (15:45):
And like I said, it's a mutual selection process.
So the potential new membersevery night they'll go in and
rank the chapters that they wantin what order they like them.
And then the chapter membersthemselves or every authority
will also submit a list sayingthis is who we like.
And then there's a differentspecialist at another school
that has no affiliation to us orany of the authorities on
(16:05):
campus.
She'll do the matching and thenwe will receive list the next
morning that tell us who isreturning to visit with us then
next day.
SPEAKER_04 (16:13):
But now the women that are potential recruits, do
they know that they've beenranked or do they know how
they've been ranked?
Or is that private?
SPEAKER_02 (16:21):
No, they don't know how they've been ranked.
They are notified if they arecut from the recruitment
process.
They will receive a call thatmorning to let them know.
Unfortunately, they have beenreleased from the recruitment
process.
I will say at UD Tyler that it'svery rare for that to happen.
So that's great to see that mostwomen are able to be placed.
(16:41):
Some people choose to withdrawfrom the recruitment process.
Sometimes, you know, they findout the financial part and
they're like, that's notsomething I could do.
Well, and that was the nextquestion.
Tell us about the financial partbecause it is not cheap.
SPEAKER_03 (16:53):
Yes.
For new members coming in, it isa lot more because we're giving
them a lot more.
So we're giving them everythingthey need to succeed in the
chapter.
So that will start at$1,050 as anew member in that first
semester.
Once you are initiated, the nextsemester it goes down to$650.
(17:13):
So it cuts almost in half.
SPEAKER_04 (17:15):
So if my math is right, the first year, if you're
a new member, you're going topay$1,700 for a year.
Then after that, it's$6.50 asemester.
So it's$1,300 a year.
Now, I think you said, Michelle,that this money is then spread
out to be used by the variousofficers.
SPEAKER_02 (17:33):
Correct.
So some of this event will besisterhood events.
There's a big sisterhood retreatthey have every semester,
formals, which is, you know, asecond prom.
They have two of those bigevents a year.
This is how they fund thephilanthropy events that we
host.
They get t-shirts.
Sometimes they'll cater dinner.
If there's a little leftoverbudget, they'll be like, hey,
let's get everyone a sticker.
(17:54):
There's photo shoots thathappen, so those are all funded
through that.
But yeah, all the money that isgiven by the members is split up
amongst all those VPs soeveryone can host different
events.
So it's all given right back tothem.
SPEAKER_04 (18:07):
So now Elizabeth, I think you told me that this is
your second year as a president.
Tell us what's it like to be thepresident of a sorority and what
is the benefit for you and whatis your sort of vision for the
group that you are leading,these strong women that you're
leading.
SPEAKER_03 (18:22):
As president, I feel like I've just learned a lot of
personal lessons.
I've had to have a like a lot ofdifficult conversations.
SPEAKER_02 (18:29):
I think behavior and character tends to be the
hardest one for Elizabeth.
Just because obviously, as anadvisor, again, I'm older than
them, so I understand that maybeI think differently than you
know they do.
But social media will be anissue sometimes of like, hey,
this is kind of inappropriate,or like, hey, I know you're not
of age, and I see that you're ata place where you might need to
(18:51):
be of age.
So let's make sure no one isbreaking any laws.
Or, you know, just sometimeslike, hey, you're not as active
anymore, like, are you okay?
So yeah, Elizabeth is sometimesin a in a pickle because there
are friends at the end of theday.
SPEAKER_04 (19:04):
Well, of course they are.
Elizabeth, I want to give yousome support on that because as
a professor watching thestudents over the years, you
know, a lot of times studentsget away from home and they
don't have people to remind themthat there's certain sort of
lanes of proper behavior.
And there's sometimes when Ijust want to say, somebody's got
to remind them what their motheror their auntie or their
(19:27):
grandmother would have told themabout because they just get kind
of wild and loose.
And those things don't reflectwell on the woman herself.
It's a matter of personalgrowth.
There are times when I look atsome of my students when I want
to say, you know, you coulddress a little more
appropriately for school.
You know, school is a little bitlike a job, or you know, your
(19:48):
language is a little too crude.
Or several of my students, I'veseen them email people and say,
Hey, you know, in an emailthat's not very professional and
just little things like that.
Is that within the purview ofthe president?
Do you have to kind of help themalong the way with that?
Absolutely.
Well, I want to tell you I'mglad.
(20:08):
If we're really talking aboutsisterhood or big sisterhood in
the case of you, Michelle, Ithink it's wonderful that you
all kind of have their back inthat way.
And so it may be hard for you,but please know that I think a
whole lot of people would thankyou for that.
So w what else besides thesedifficult conversations that
(20:29):
have helped you to grow?
SPEAKER_03 (20:31):
I feel like I've just had a lot of people push me
to do better in all aspects.
Because you're the president.
Yes, like academics and havingtough conversations and making
sure I get all the service hoursthat I need and like reaching
out to the community and talkingto Dr.
Philly, the president of theuniversity.
It does give you theseopportunities, doesn't it?
SPEAKER_04 (20:52):
What about the other officers?
Do they have similaropportunities, Michelle?
SPEAKER_02 (20:56):
Every year our headquarters request for certain
members to be sent toheadquarters in Indianapolis,
Indiana.
So Elizabeth has represented theUT Tyler chapter at headquarters
multiple times.
There's a couple of vicepresidents that get sent along
with her.
Every vice president has anadvisor to them, which is an
alumni volunteer, to help thembuild leadership and they are
(21:18):
also able to connect with anyoneon campus.
Again, our VP Philanthropy worksvery closely with East Texas
Crisis Center.
Our VP ID will work closelywith, you know, career success
or tutoring.
I know we've had them come inbefore.
So even like our risk managementwill have the police department
come in to teach, you know, likealcohol awareness classes right
(21:40):
before spring break orself-defense classes.
So they get their position andthey can run with it.
So they're able to do as muchcontact as they want.
But yeah, we always telleveryone like you are always
wearing alpha guy omega letters.
So just keep that in mind.
You represent not just yourself,but the whole organization and
the all the alumna that comebefore you too.
SPEAKER_04 (21:58):
That makes me feel real good about this group.
Is there anything else wehaven't covered that you think
we'd like the folks to knowabout you all?
SPEAKER_02 (22:07):
I feel like Greek life really depends on the
campus that you're at.
For example, I would have neverjoined a sorority had I not been
at the school I was at.
You know, I came into collegesaying a sorority gross, I would
never do that.
And then I met women and theyall happen to be Alpha Omegas,
and I was like, okay, cool,interesting.
Maybe it's not what I thought itwas.
So I will say, like, is therebad culture at other schools?
(22:29):
Maybe.
But at UT Tyler, all thesororities have done a great job
at creating a really open andaccessible, I guess, environment
that they haven't, you know,excluded anyone.
The culture of the Greek lifewill really depend per campus.
Again, UT Tyler being not thatsmall of a campus anymore, but
them being a chapter of 67women, they all know each other.
(22:51):
They'll see each other oncampus, they'll see each other
in classes, they know eachother's majors, so they're able
to say, like, hey, did you takethis class before me?
They passed down textbooks,professor recommendations,
everything.
So I think it that helps a lotthat they all know each other.
One of my friends was at a bigchapter at a big school, and she
lived in the Swarty house, andshe was like, I walk around the
house and I don't recognize thepeople that are in the house.
(23:12):
It's that big.
Yeah.
She was like, I don't recognizesome of the people that like
live with me.
So it's great to see thattight-knit connection because we
are a smaller chapter in asmaller school.
I think as Alpha Kai Omega islike the goal is always to build
a real strong woman, right?
And to have you leave thechapter and you're ready to, you
know, see the world and take onthe world.
So we're always, how can we helpyou be a better student?
(23:35):
How can we help you be a betterperson?
How can we help you?
And again, they do all thisgrowth within the chapter that
they're not even aware of.
They're just having fun, youknow, and it's like, oh, they
just managed a hundred thousanddollars in a budget and spread
that out as underclassmen.
You know, by the time thatthey've graduated, RV finance
can say that she's managed over$100,000.
RVP philanthropy can say sheraises over$10,000 a semester
(23:58):
for philanthropy.
So it's amazing what they get todo.
Again, Elizabeth is humble, buther and I sit in two meetings a
week.
So that's at least what, two,four hours for us after school.
Not to include that some days wewill literally wake up texting
each other and go to bed textingeach other.
But she is great.
She's my backbone for all this.
And I think it says a lot toothat alumna come back and
(24:20):
volunteer.
And you know, we give back tothis experience because we had
such a great time as collegiateAlpha Chi members.
Well, you have a great timebeing the advisor now, don't
you?
Absolutely.
It's it's a lot.
But again, it's great to seethat if I'm able to help them
have a great experience, that'swhat I'm here for.
SPEAKER_01 (24:36):
Just as our final note, let's say somebody's
listened to the episode, they'recoming to UT Tyler and they're
interested in joining asorority.
Where do they go to find thatfirst opening?
Is there an application or wouldyou come to an on-campus event?
SPEAKER_03 (24:49):
I feel like you could go to pretty much
anything.
You can go on to PatriotsEngage, you can text us on
Instagram, you can meet us inclass and reach out, and we'll
find the opportunity and give itto you to join our chapter.
For formal recruitment in thefall, usually it's an
application.
We do a COB process in thespring.
(25:11):
Continuous open bidding.
And that one is not as intense,not all the social media and
rush, TikTok.
It's a great opportunity forgirls who think formal
recruitment is overwhelming, sothey can come in and do the COB
process.
SPEAKER_02 (25:24):
They can also contact the Greek office on
campus of student engagement,Robert Smith, he's the Greek
life director.
So they can contact him.
And honestly, I feel likeInstagram is a big one.
So if they find the UT TylerPanalenic Instagram, that works,
or the UTTAXO Instagram, thatone would work as well.
Awesome.
SPEAKER_01 (25:43):
And if anybody happens to have a question about
sorority live or a question thatwe could direct towards Michelle
or Elizabeth, you can leave acomment under the YouTube video,
or you can always email us atadrquestions at gmail.com.
We're very happy to hear fromyou and help you get ready for
college.
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