Local sorority becomes Phi Sigma Sigma
Campus Times
September 27, 1996
What was once a local sorority named Phi Theta Chi founded in 1992 will
soon be a chapter of the international sorority Phi Sigma Sigma, founded
in 1913.
Phi Theta Chi was founded by seven women with a belief in creating something
positive within a group, and also a Greek system.
Phi Sigma Sigma began when 10 women who were best friends wanted to be sisters
as well. The problem with the other sororities was all the women were from
different religious backgrounds and were not allowed to all be in the same
sorority.
Phi Theta Chi has been reviewing their options and investigating national
sororities for about a year. "The Baird's Manual," which is a
book that has the 26 National Panhellenic sororities listed was used by
the members during the investigation process, said Christina Tejeda president
of the Phi Sigma Sigma.
Sigma Kappa was eliminated because there is already a chapter on the ULV
campus, and Alpha Delta Pi was eliminated because there was a chapter on
campus in the past.
The women of Phi Theta Chi then did research on the remaining 24 national
sororities and then narrowed it down to 10 choices. Letters were sent to
the remaining sororities and in return they received about five responses.
From this point they narrowed it down to two sororities, Phi Sigma Sigma
and Alpha Sigma Tau.
Both of these sororities came to the University of La Verne and presented
what they had to offer to the members of Phi Theta Chi. Greek presidents,
Greek advisers, President Stephen Morgan and other administrators were invited
by Phi Theta Chi to attend the presentations.
After reviewing both sororities the women then took a vote and Phi Sigma
Sigma was selected.
"This was a very long process, but we wanted to be very careful that
who we picked is right for us," said Tejeda of what the process of
going international entailed.
Alma Barrera, a Phi Theta Chi member for the past year and a half, said,
"I am very optimistic about the growth and the new changes that they
will soon undergo."
The sorority undergoes many changes including accepting a new color, letter
and flower. They also have to change their Constitution because they can
no longer abide by their local constitution.
A few things did not change at all. "We are still going to be the same
group of women around campus. Our beliefs, values and morals are still the
same," said Tejeda. "We even have one of the same mottos, 'Aim
High.' How ironic."
The Phi Sigma Sigma colony has a new philanthropy-the National Kidney Foundation
which supports kidney treatment and research. Kidney disease was the leading
killer of women when Phi Sigma Sigma was founded. The Phi Sigma Sigma colony
will be able to keep their local philanthropy by working with all children.
They allowed them to keep a lot of their local traditions which are important
to them.
Now that Phi Theta Chi is going national, there will be tremendous benefits.
The group will have a strong alumnae foundation as well as more direction.
Junior Veronica Mendez, a sorority member, said, "I think it is great
that we are going international because we are expanding ourselves."
At the present time, the sorority is still colony that will have to develop
into a successful colony before it becomes a initiated as a chapter.
Kenia Mangallanes, a sophomore member of the Phi Sigma Sigma colony, who
pledged last semester said, "I am very excited about going national.
I will have sisters not only nationwide but internationally. We have some
chapters in Canada also."
She went on to say that she is going to like the benefits that the alumnae
receive. "My sisterhood will not end once I graduate; I will go on
and participate in the alumnae chapters," said Mangallanes.
Members of the Phi Sigma Sigma colony said they owe their success to all
of the Greeks organizations on campus.