Around 100 students and members of the Panhellenic extension committee turned out for Alpha Omicron Pi’s presentation in the Hillel Auditorium Thursday night. In addition to AOII and Delta Zeta — which presented Tuesday — three more sororities are scheduled to make presentations before the committee can arrive at a decision on which sorority will be added to campus next spring.
While DZ’s presentation focused more on its innovative programming, AOII emphasized its strong commitment to heritage and tradition. The overall professionalism of the presentation resonated well with the students who attended.
“I thought they were great,” said Jordan Sale, a College junior, Alpha Chi Omega sister and member of the Panhel extension committee.
College sophomore and Sigma Kappa sister Lakshmi Sivaguru agreed, saying that AOII’s presentation was “solid” and “very elegant.”
Representatives from AOII spent the bulk of the demonstration breaking down their colonization plan, which consists of a three-step process in which AOII plans to fully assimilate into the campus culture.
When asked how the sorority plans to learn about the multifaceted culture at Penn, Troylyn LeForge, the executive director of AOII, explained that research is one of AOII’s strong points and that plans are already in motion to make the group “a comprehensive piece” of the Penn community.
“We like to partner,” she said, explaining that the initial part of the colonization process would involve collaborating with Panhel and the Greek community to further integrate AOII into the Greek system.
Another point LeForge stressed was that though AOII seeks to recruit women who are in line with its values, the sorority seeks no specific type. AOII women are far from “cookie-cutter,” she said.
This sentiment seemed to resonate with students.
Sale said AOII could ultimately fill in a gap in the Greek community. She explained that there are many unaffiliated women at Penn who may not have been previously interested in the Greek system but may become interested with the presence of AOII on campus.
“The numbers show, we need another sorority,” she said.
She also said the enthusiasm behind a new sorority like AOII would serve to “revive” and “unite” the Greek community at Penn.
Along those lines, Sivaguru said, AOII could ultimately help break stereotypes in the Greek system by offering something new.
The next group to present will be Delta Gamma on Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. The presentation will be held in Houston Hall’s Bodek Lounge.
