One might say that life handed the IUPUI College Panhellenic Executive Board lemons and they made lemonade with it. More specifically, life handed them a pandemic and the board still came away with the College Panhellenic Innovation Award for Innovation in Judicial Procedure. The award is granted to College Panhellenic organizations who have proven successful in academics, leadership, recruitment, programming, marketing, community impact and judicial procedure.
IUPUI’s Panhellenic Council consists of six sororities with nearly 400 members. Despite the pandemic sending everyone home early, the executive board was able to maintain a culture of sisterhood that featured virtual events and socializing. Panhellenic President Karly Van Slyke believes the pandemic may have changed the group for the better.
“In a weird way I think the pandemic has allowed for us to become closer as a team,” Van Slyke said. “We're seeing each other virtually probably more than we would have if the semester continued as is. We have definitely had to get our creative juices flowing much more than we ever would have before with events like Netflix parties, cooking sisterhoods from the comfort of our homes and sending each other snail mail. It's been really fun to watch.”
Other events such as craft nights and fitness classes were also hosted virtually. The innovation award comes as the Panhellenic sororities are entering their annual recruitment. The process this year will look different than any year before as virtual events will replace the usual schedule, but it’s nothing new to the executive board.
“I believe each sorority is relying more on one another than ever before, particularly with helping come up with virtual ideas for events, as well as continuing to grow sisterhoods while unable to be with one another,” Ashley Titley, vice president of recruitment, said. “I truly believe that our community is stronger than ever due to facing this pandemic together, and relying on one another more.”
Both Van Slyke and Titley are encouraged by last year’s award and what it shows they can do heading into this year’s recruitment. As for convincing newcomers on IUPUI’s campus, Van Slyke thinks the revamped format might be attractive to some.
“I think a lot of the chaos of the usual recruitment process that may have made women nervous in the past has been eliminated now that things are completely virtual,” she said. “If you are thinking about recruitment, do it!”
Titley’s message is simple.
“There has never been a better time to get involved within the Panhellenic community than now,” she said. “Our sororities are still brainstorming ways to help each other, as well as their personal philanthropies and partners to continue to make a difference in millions of lives despite the adversities and obstacles that COVID-19 brings to our campus and our community.”
Students interested in College Panhellenic can learn more at fsl.iupui.edu.