At last!!!

[RockChalk]

I'd been waiting to hear more details on the ZTA colonization at KU for what seems like forever, and today I heard something! The student newspaper published the contact info for a ZTA rep whom we could call for details about their recruitment. I'll call her later today after I get off work.

Colonization starts September 15th, and I'm already dying of suspense! :D

[Kevin]

It's a great experience. Tests your patience and the strength of your relationships. Best of luck in founding your own chapter!

[ZTAMiami]

Good Luck, hon! Please, please give us details!!:D

[AOIIalum]

Best of luck to you RockChalk. I know you've been eagerly awaiting this opportunity!

Christin

[violets]

Good luck RockChalk, ZTA is a great organanization! Please keep us updated with all the details!

[justamom]

I sooooo wanted to go to KU. It was not in the cards.

Good luck!



I also would have settled for K State- OU, (Ok Delt Alum;) )
ANYWHERE in the great MIDWEST!

[EtaPhiZTA]

I am so excited for you! Best of luck to you as you learn more about ZTA and possibly becoming a founding sister of the KU chapter. Be sure to give us all of the wonderful details.

[RockChalk]

Thanks for all the good wishes, everybody! I called the ZTA rep tonight, but she wasn't in so I left a message. I'll keep you posted on what happens next.

[RockChalk]

Now I'm really starting to get nervous. KU's bid day was yesterday. Of the 819 women signed up for rush, 635 got bids. You could make an entire chapter out of this year's bidless rushees! :eek: Why would they take an old fart like me when there are so many underclassmen who want to join?

[KappaKittyCat]

They would take an old fart like you because you're going to graduate soon, which means instant alumna!

During the colonization interviews, tell them how interested you are in the alumnae experience. I gather you are interested in the alumnae experience 'cuz you're looking to pursue alumnae initiation if this ZTA thing doesn't pan out. If you're interested in being an active alumna, then that means that you'll be willing to keep working with the chapter even after you graduate. They NEED that.

They want women of all ages in a new colony, not just freshmen. You can mentor younger sisters. That's what sisterhood is. And you already have tons of practice mentoring younger Greeks from GC!

[Jhawkalum]

You already know your way around KU - you know the ins and the outs of the campus - imagine having an entire sorority of freshmen...it would be mass chaos! Of course they'd want older women to join. It was only in 1991 that Kappa Delta colonized at KU - and they are a very chapter now, and I'm sure they had upper classmen as some of their founding members.

Out of curiosity, I am wondering where ZTA will be housed. Does Theta Chi still live next to AXO? And I know that Delta Tau Delta is no longer at KU - who is living there now?

Good luck!

[Denise_DPhiE]

As the Director of Expansion for my group, I would be very interested in upper classmen for leadership and strength in forming a colony. Of those 200+ girls who went "bidless", many dropped out of rush on their own choice (just wanted to see what it was all about) and other got dropped by groups they may or may not have been interested. While I am sure ZTA will invite all of those bidless women to their first informational or social recruitment event, they are not the only women who would be targeted for membership.

Good luck to you!!

Denise_DPhiE;)

[RockChalk]

OK, I got ahold of the ZTA rep (who, btw, was super nice). This is how the recruitment schedule is going to go:

Info view meetings (small group or one-on-one w/ ZTA reps): Sept. 15th and 16th. (Sunday & Monday)
1st recruitment event: Sept. 17th (Tuesday)
Philanthropy night: Sept. 18th (Wednesday)
Pref night: Sept. 19th (Thursday)
Bid day: Sept. 20th (Friday)

I want to give a shout out to Delta Chi fraternity, who is letting ZTA use their house for pref night, and Kappa Sigma fraternity, who already agreed to be our partners for Rock Chalk Revue.

They are looking to recruit about 170 women during rush week. I mentioned that I was a senior and she seemed pretty excited about that.

I am positively giddy!!! :D :D :cool: :cool:

Jhawkalum, I PMed you.

[FuzzieAlum]

congratulations!

Wow, four rounds? They have that many women to weed out?

Not that it's meant to scare you, I'm sure you'll do wonderfully!

[RockChalk]

Considering that there were about 100 women who rushed this year and didn't get bids, plus another 100 women (give or take) who rushed last year and didn't get bids, and a lot of people like me who never rushed before but want to check out ZTA, it seems fairly reasonable. :)

[RosmaPomia]

Good Luck!! I just went through recruitment and trust me AGE DOESN"T MATTER :)

[violets]

RockChalk,
ZTA's recruitment sounds fabulous. And honestly you sound so committed and enthusiastic, I'm sure that will shine through and ZTA will definitely see that.

[ZTAMich]

Yippie Skippie good luck!!!

[ZTAngel]

Yay Zeta! I am so excited that we have another chapter colonizing. Best of luck to the founding sisters at KU! :D

[RockChalk]

Today I signed up for an "info view" session. Basically, this is where 4 PNMs will meet with a Zeta rep who will give us info about ZTA, the rush process, and answer any questions we have. I also found out that they are not cutting people after every round. The first event and philanthropy night are open to all women. Pref is the only invitational round. I still have no idea how they're going to do invites or let us know if we got a bid. I guess I'll find that out at the info view. :)

I'm getting more excited and more nervous every day! :D

[violets]

Sounds so exciting. Good luck with ZTA!
Go KU!
violets

[jayhawkkerry]

RockChalk,

Jhawkalum is right - KD did colonize in 1991 with women from all statures at KU. (I was a member of their 3rd pledge class initiated in February 1993 - back when sororities STILL HAD semester long pledgeships.) Just make sure to tell them how much you would like to be active as an alumna - the new ZTA chapter will need women like you to provide support and to lay the groundwork for their traditions!

I can't wait to hear all about your experience (you probably already know this b/c I PM'd you!)!!!!!

Kerry

[Shark_in_Skirt]

Best of luck to you, Rock!

XOXO,
Annie.

[kuhawks20]

Hi-
I'm Jamie and I too am wating for everything to get going with ZTA at KU next week. I am very excited, but also very nervous! Do y'all have any suggestions for us who have never rushed, but waited for 1 whole year to rush for just 1 sorority?:confused: If you do, that would be AWESOME!:)

[Jhawkalum]

Hi KuHawks! Good luck with ZTA recruitment. I wrote to AmandaMarie on an earlier thread about her clothing attire question

Good luck AmandaMarie! I'm an alum of ADPi at KU and I was a Rho Chi, too! I think your choices of attire sound appropriate. Find some cute and trendy jewlery or purses to go with your outfits. Make sure your fingernails and toenails are nicely manicured (but don't get gaudy long nails in crazy colors!) get your hair trimmed -- dress as though you would for a first date. When you do meet the Zetas, let them know what your bring to the table (they will probably want to eventually do Rock Chalk Revue - can you sing dance or write?), they are looking for future presidents, panhellenics reps, etc... Make sure to have fun too!

Do your research about Zeta and critically think about why you want to be part of the greek community. Come with questions for the ZTA reps (such as scholarship, housing, requirements). In some ways it's a lot like a job interview, but a lot more fun!

[PenguinTrax]

Originally posted by kuhawks20
Hi-
I'm Jamie and I too am wating for everything to get going with ZTA at KU next week. I am very excited, but also very nervous! Do y'all have any suggestions for us who have never rushed, but waited for 1 whole year to rush for just 1 sorority?:confused: If you do, that would be AWESOME!:)

Learn about our Fraternity, our history and our programs. Ask questions about those programs and communicate how your leadership qualities and/or talents could be used to help the colony and the Fraternity as a whole.

Visit chapter web sites, many links for both collegiate and alumnae chapters are found via the ZTA national site:

http://www.zetataualpha.org

[kuhawks20]

Thanks Jhawkalum for all of the advice. I will take all of than into consideration. I have looked at the home site of zta and tried to get up to date on it.. I am sure I will be asking tons more questions....:)

and Pnguintrax thanks for the reply! I means a lot that all of you guys come out and help out girls like me who know NOTHING about rush. I have never been through rush and I don't really know much about the process. I am going to be myself, and I am outgoing, so I can talk about all kinds of things.. but I don't know how to "lay things on the table" so they can see what I am going to be contributing to the system. I guess I am just nervous in general b/c I have never wanted anything so bad in my whole entire life and if I don't get it, I will be disappointed, but there would always be the next semester. I am going into it thinking if I get in, super, if I don't, no problem. I will have atleast made friends through it.

Now onto my dress for the events:

I have right now for the first round "experience ZTA" open house (nice casual dress attire) long black pinstrip pants with a white v-neck/or a grey sleeveless turtleneck and for the second round "stomp out breast cancer" philanthropy event (nice casual dress attire also) cuffed black capri pants with a red v-neck and a 3/4 sleeve cardigan to go over it.
Now, the question is, WHEN I get invited back for pref round what should I wear? Black dress or can I wear any kind of nice dress? It says to wear a nice dress attire) Any suggestions?

Thanks so much!
Jamie

[RockChalk]

If I go to pref, I won't wear black. I figure everybody else will be wearing black, so I'll want to stand out.

[kuhawks20]

rockchalk- are you wearing a long or short dress. The on that I was thinking about was a long green dress with a cross front with spagetti straps...

[Jhawkalum]

Wear something that is flattering and up-to-date. When I went through rush, I went out and bought a black dress which I ended up using for pref for the next four years. Just make sure it's comfortable and not too revealing, black or any other color is ok.

[RockChalk]

I'm going to wear a short lavender dress.

[EtaPhiZTA]

Well, by my calendar, it is September 15! How is the ZTA colonization going? I realize that tonight and tomorrow are just info nights, but be sure to let us know all the great details.

[RockChalk]

Hi folks! I was going to post something last night, but my internet connection died!

Yesterday I went to the info meeting. It lasted about an hour. I filled out a "tell us about yourself" form, peeked at the ZTA new member CD-ROM, and picked up a copy of Themis. I spent most of the time chatting with a ZTA rep and another PNM. We discussed dues (much less than I expected, thankfully), the housing situation, what's involved in being part of a colony, and the recruitment process. They also said that Installation will be some time in January (no exact dates yet).

I got most of my questions answered, although I couldn't think of a tactful way to ask about alcohol. I heard that some GLOs don't let their NMs drink, and I was wondering if that would apply to me even though I'm over 21. I also forgot to ask if I have a realistic chance of getting in even though this is my last semester.

Today there are more info meetings for the women who couldn't go yesterday. Tomorrow is Open House.

[Jhawkalum]

Rock Chalk -

I read today that Zeta will be working with Kappa Sigma for Rock Chalk Revue. What did the ZTA reps say about housing -- are they planning on building a house? It sounds super exciting!

Many sororities don't allow their under 21-year old NMs drink, because it's against the law. I never had anyone in my pledge class that age, so I'm not sure how houses usually address that. I think it's a fair question to ask if you are 21.

Good luck and keep us updated.

[RockChalk]

Basically they said that ZTA has the money to build the chapter a house, but they still need to find land or an existing house that they can renovate. The university has promised that the chapter will have housing in 3-5 years. There was some talk of ZTA having a floor of a dorm, but I doubt that will happen since dorm space is tight.

[PenguinTrax]

Our National Housing Corp. President (and local Tallahassee Alumna) is taking part of the colonization efforts this week and is looking forward to sharing the Fraternity with everyone at KU!

[Tom Earp]

RockChalk Chicken Hawk, from your Fav Gorilla Man Goodest of Luck Sweety!

Hell the AGD are building a new house next -------- Da LXA on a damn moutain of a hill!

Well Almost everything on Campi is on a Damn Hill!

Apartments took all of teh flat land except for fast food joints and well I was going to say bars but they go where they can too!:D

PLEASE KEWEPIE UPDATED! OOPS, Keep Us UpDated!

Luv,

[kuhawks20]

I went to the info meeting today and mine lasted about 1 1/2 hrs. That seemed to go VERY well. We talked about everything just like RockChalk said she did and I did hear that there were 400 girls who signed up for the info view sessions and they they were taking the average of all of the sororities on campus which is 187, but the newspaper said about 180 so they will have a few open slots (I guess?) I hope not, I would hope they would fill those extra 7 spots.. anyway, that is how mine went today. RockChalk- good luck and maybe we will run into each other at the other events?!

Jamie:)

[GPhiBLtColonel]

...my (real) little sister pledged as a senior with Theta when they colonized a few years ago at Loyola Marymount in LA Calif...in fact I think they took at least three seniors with that first pledge class -- voila! in a year -- instant alums!!!

[ZTAMich]

Glad things are going so well. I love our NM CD's...still have mine and have been known to play the songs now and then :) HAVE FUN AND ENJOY!!!

[RockChalk]

Well, I just got back from Open House.

At this point, I'm honestly not sure if this is a good idea.

The presentations were well done, the sisters there seemed nice (although I only got to meet one) and the video was cool but... I don't know. I just don't know.

Maybe it's just that it was really hot in that room because they had to squeeze over 100 women into a rather small space. Maybe it's that I'm not the sort of person who can "work a room" and make small talk with a whole bunch of people I don't know. Maybe I'm expecting too much. Or maybe I'm just letting my insecurities get the better of me. I'm not sure.

I'll go to the event tomorrow (which will be held in a much bigger room, thankfully) and maybe I'll feel better about it then.

[XOMichelle]

Joining a colony is not the same as joining an estabished chapter. New friendships have to be formed for the whole group, new traditions need to be invented. There is tremendous possibility for a wonderful experience, but you will be the begining.

I suggest sticking it out and getting a better feel for ZTA. Think about the other PNM's at the meeting. They are the people you will ultimately have a bond with.
ll,
M

[RockChalk]

Originally posted by XOMichelle
Think about the other PNM's at the meeting. They are the people you will ultimately have a bond with.
ll,
M Part of the problem is that I didn't get to talk to very many of them. :(

BTW Amanda, I looked for you but didn't see you anywhere.

[amandamarie]

I was there! I was on the right side, towards the back. I thought everyone seemed nice, but yes it was incredibly impersonal. I only chatted with the people sitting around me, and they were all great. If you saw her, I was right behind the girl w/purple hair lol! Anyway, the main thing I disliked was how it seemed that they're going to pick people solely off of paper, without getting to know us, which, granted would be impossible. I have my info-view tomorrow, hopefully I'll be able to make a case for myself. I really hope you'll go again tomorrow night. If you'd like, I can meet you in the lobby of the union. I'll try to get there maybe 10mins early. I'll be wearing a white sweater and a blue skirt. I'll be the big girl w/glasses lol. Anyway, I'll talk to you later :-)
-Amanda

[RockChalk]

There was a girl with purple hair? Man, I didn't see her!

Like you said, my main concern is that they don't seem to be making much effort to actually get to know any of the PNMs. I would like to have gotten to visit with the people making decisions for more than just "hi, what's your name? what year are you? gotta go." :(

I'll look for you tomorrow, Amanda. I'm a short blond girl with glasses. I haven't decided what I'm going to wear yet.

[amandamarie]

As you've already been to your info-view, I was wondering what all happened. What kind of stuff did you have to fill out? Do you know anything about part time status? Tonight went so well, and now I'm stressing yet again about if I'm even eligible. Grrrrrrr

[Shark_in_Skirt]

Rock,

I just wanted to drop a quick note and encourage you to keep your head up! I bet EVERY other girl in that room feels just as insecure as you do... after all, having a bunch of strangers mulling around isn't really all that comfortable for anybody!

I'll be sending good thoughts your way.

XOXO,
Annie.

[RockChalk]

Amanda, I don't know about part-time status either. I didn't even think to ask about that, although I should have since I'm going part-time too.

The only thing I had to fill out was an information sheet - name, year in school, major, GPA, high school & college activities, work experience, and whether anyone in your family was in an NPC sorority.

After reading the responses in your thread about part-time students, I'm seriously considering just forgetting the whole idea. I have two exams tomorrow. I can't afford to waste time on an organization that won't accept me.

[ZTAMiami]

RockChalk:
Please give it a chance! You still don't have all the information you need so why not stick it out and see what happens? You were so excited about this to start with so don't let the confusion get you down.
Please consider sticking with it. If it doesn't work out then its just a few hours of your time spent learning something you didn't know before.
Let us know what happens. Good luck:)

[amandamarie]

I'm headed off to my infoview. I'm going to ask briefly about the part time situation, without divulging too much info. My stance, if they don't ask me, I'm not gonna tell. I'll post as soon afterwards as I can. I hope that this will work out for both of us, we've looked forward to it for soooo long. Here's to crossing my fingers!
-Amanda

[Jhawkalum]

Hi ladies,
Please remember that recruitment can be a very impersonal experience -- whether it's formal recruitment or colonization. Often times during the first day of formal recruitment most sororities have to select women based on their resume only. But don't get discouraged -- things will work out either way.

Good luck!

[Jhawkalum]

About the part-time thing: Without divulging your status, maybe it would be best to call the panhellenic office at KU about how many hours of school you must be enrolled in to be in a sorority. The number of hours of school gets into scholarship issues and other stuff

[amandamarie]

Well, I just got done with my info-view, and my fears have been confirmed. You must be a full time student in order to be accepted. Here's my dilemma though, up until this semester, I have been full time. Should I continue with the process, and if it comes up, say that I had enrollment problems (which I did)? Also, next semester, I'm going to be attending a nearby community college. I don't want to have to wait until next fall to join a sorority, when I return to KU as full time, by that time, I'll be entering my 4th (of at least 5) year, and I don't feel like my chances of being bid will be very good. This is all so extremely frustrating. I've been wanting to join one since my freshman year, but due to grades and finances have been unable. Also, the girl whom I had my infoview with (the PNM, not the advisor) was really REALLY annoying lol. Please let me know what you think I should do, if anything, you guys have been soooo much help!
-Amanda

[RockChalk]

If that's the case, then I won't be going to any more recruitment events.

Sorry for wasting everyone's time.

[Jhawkalum]

Ok,
I know there are other PNMs from KU out there reading this post anonymously -- please don't give up!

Amandamarie and RockChalk -- It is probably a panhellenic rule not ZTA's rule that a woman must be enrolled full-time at KU to be a member of a sorority. If you join while you are a full-time student and then take time off or transfer, many sororities will give you alumna status, but if they know you will be going to a different school at the time they get their charter, this might not work in your favor. I'm sorry that this hasn't gone the way you planned.

But for the women who are still out there reading -- don't give up! Keep going to the events. And even if you don't match with ZTA, there will be other sororities doing COB this year.

[RockChalk]

Jhawkalum,

I appreciate your efforts to cheer me up, but I honestly don't see the point in continuing. This is my last semester. Even though I have been enrolled full-time in the past, I never will be again. (Unless I pursue a 2nd bachelor's degree, which is two years away at best.)

I'm sorry, I think my time would be better spent elsewhere. This was a nice dream, but that's all it is. A dream. It's not and will never be reality. :(

[PenguinTrax]

To the best of my knowledge, all NPC groups require members to be fully/regulary enrolled at the university/college. Taking time off for internships/study abroad is allowed, but initially, you must be a full-time student. The full-time thing is NOT just a Zeta thing, it's across the board.

If you have plans to be a full-time student next semester and will continue to do so until graduation, please speak to the colony organizers before giving up all hope. You won't know until you ask, nest ce' pas? And if you don't ask and later find out something was possible, you would feel even worse.

If it truly won't work out during undergrad, please consider alumnae initation. It is just as meaningful and will bring you a lifetime of sisterhood.