For Parents
Welcome to the Phi Mu family! For the past 18 or so years you've been the primary influence in your daughter's life. You've pursued her best interests. The lessons that she learned from you will anchor her as she interacts with new friends, professors and mentors at college. We're delighted that you've allowed us to share in this time with her. You'll be pleased to know that our organization has pursued what is in the best interest of women for over 160 years.
The collegiate years are an active time. We're sensitive to the needs for a balanced approach to the academic and social demands of these years. Our membership development programming is a proven method to make the most of your daughter's time with Phi Mu.
As a Phi Mu, your daughter will:
• MAKE NEW FRIENDS. Phi Mu friendships are built around a common set of core values such as the pursuit of learning, responsible social behavior, and sisterly love for one another.
• GROW AS A WOMAN. We learn to build one another up toward achieving our personal best. That begins with agreed upon "right behaviors" including a zero tolerance policy against hazing in any form.
• DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS. Opportunities to work with others abound at Phi Mu. Whether your daughter serves in an executive committee position within her chapter or as part of a committee planning a chapter event, we'll provide her with resources, training and mentoring to aid in her personal development.
• SERVE OTHERS. Your daughter will be part of the only sorority corporate sponsor of the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals as we work to raise awareness for childhood health concerns and support local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.
There are also opportunities for you to be involved in the Phi Mu experience through our Parent Associations. These groups work side by side with the local chapters to plan Parent/Daughter activities, organize homecoming events and participate in recruitment.
Again, thank you in advance for the time we'll spend with your daughter. We're a vibrant, visionary organization with a history of helping women achieve their personal best. You can learn more about us through the pages of this website or by contacting us via email: info@phimu.org.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Formal Recruitment, sometimes referred to as "Rush," is a four day long process which allows potential new members to meet with active members of each sorority on the McNeese campus. During this time, they will learn about what each sorority stands for, its philanthropy (or service) projects, how its members are involved on campus, and the opportunities it provides to its members.
The girls will learn about different aspects of sorority life on each night of Recruitment. The first night, Sisterhood Night, is the first chance for the active members and potential new members to really talk and get to know each other. It gives the girls going through a good feel for each of the houses personalities. Actives will explain social and scholastic aspects of sorority life as well as financial obligations.
Philanthropy Night, the second "round" of Recruitment is relaxed. The houses will look like they do on an everyday basis, and potential members will learn about the Philanthropies that each sorority participates in.
On the third night, Sisterhood Night, potential members truly see how close our bond is. We share with them how Phi Mu has transferred us from strangers to sisters for life.
On the last day, Recruitment becomes much more formal. Each house hosts a tea (hence the name Preferential Tea) and provides potential members with a more in-depth look at their sisterhood. On this day, the dress is much more formal and most potential members wear dresses, skirts, or suits. The sorority members will also be wearing dresses.
At the end of Formal Recruitment, each potential member will be invited to rank the order of the sororities in which she would like to become a part of, starting with the one she liked the most, and is then matched to a sorority.
On Bid Day, potential members will find out which sorority they will be joining and are then given that sorority's letter shirt. The new members will then run to their houses down Greek Street, where each sorority house's yard will be decorated to a theme. All of Greek Street will then celebrate their sisterhoods.
