Women's fraternity seeks to create leaders

The newest women's fraternity on campus, Alpha Omicron Pi, began recruitment this past week. The colonization of the chapter began last Wednesday and will continue through the weekend.

The decision to form a chapter on campus began in April, when AOII sent its information to the Pan-Hellenic Council at OSU, resulting in an invitation to make a formal presentation.

Carrie Youell, director of extension for the AOII fraternity, said they submitted information about AOII to OSU because they felt it was a great fit for both groups.

"After the presentations, the extension committee reviewed them and made a recommendation to the Pan-Hellenic Council," Youell said. "They voted to extend that invitation to AOII. That's how we actually got the opportunity to come to campus."

For Tracy Ottey, the resident consultant for AOII at OSU, getting accepted was an important first step for the fraternity.

"It's an honor to receive that invitation," Ottey said. "It's like a job interview. You're getting the job, and you're excited."

The first steps in forming the AOII colony began Wednesday with personal interviews with potential new members. Youell said the 20-30 minute meetings, while short, allow them to get to know the women.

"We want to know what they enjoy doing and what their hobbies are, so it's very important to us to have that one-on-one time," Youell said. "We are about creating exceptional membership experiences for women and we want to ensure that this is something that they truly want to make a commitment to."

Youell said though personal appointments will continue through Friday, AOII will also host a number of night events open to all women interested in joining, as well.

The "Build-A-Panda" event tonight at 7 in the Click Alumni Hall brings notice to AOII's national philanthropy, juvenile arthritis.

"Young women have the opportunity to create a panda, and those pandas are used by the Juvenile Arthritis Conference," Youell said. "The children go to a teddy bear pain clinic and practice with doctors on how to do shots and exercise utilizing the panda. It's nice to say we have a hand in giving comfort to that child suffering from arthritis."

AOII events continue through the weekend with preference ceremonies on Saturday, where women receive invitations to attend. On Sunday, AOII officially extends bids to women for membership to the fraternity.

What makes the colonization ceremony so special is that it is the point where the OSU family and community finally recognizes the chapter, Youell said.

"We will start assimilating into the community immediately," Youell said. "I think the thing that is different is that our colony members are starting something, laying the foundation, and creating the traditions that will exist here at OSU for AOII. That is something that we value."

Molly Fenton, assistant director of extension and new chapter development, said they are also striving to excel beyond recruitment for AOII.

"A lot of times we talk about how we're not in the business of creating a successful colony, but in the business of creating a successful long-standing chapter for this university," Fenton said. "One thing that is very important is that we focus a lot on the financial support, the leadership development and chapter development. We want to cultivate these women into strong leaders."

However, the main goal of AOII is to develop relationships among young women, Youell said.

"I think what makes AOII so special is that we were founded in the name of friendship," Youell said. "AOII was founded by four women who probably never thought it would still be in existence 115 years later. What's special is that our ritual was as relevant and timeless in 1897 as it is today."

More information about AOII at OSU can be found at www.aoiiokstate.com.