Extending the Alpha Love to OSU!

Alexa Albrecht
Alpha Omicron Pi

For the first time in 30 years, Oklahoma State University welcomed a new Greek chapter onto their campus Jan. 20. Alpha Omicron Pi had the honor and privilege of sending 30 members from the University of Arkansas XI Omicron and 30 members from the University of Oklahoma XI chapter to colonize a new sorority. The girls felt welcomed as they arrived to various signs hanging on other chapter's doors saying how much they loved AOPI and how excited they were for the new addition.

"It was an incredible weekend and a once-in-a-lifetime experience!" said junior Alyssa Bennett, Xi Omicron. "We had the opportunity to recruit girls who we had no prior knowledge of. After meeting them, we caught ourselves wishing they would be additions to our chapter here in Fayetteville."

The 30 ladies selected to help recruit from Xi Omicron were carefully chosen by chapter president Hayley Ray. Within this group, there were a few members who were a part of this year's current pledge class and had not yet been on the other side of recruitment. Unlike the extended period of time other chapters had to practice recruiting and learn about the potential new members, the AOII's were prepared to recruit within a matter of minutes of arriving.

"We had 10 minutes to get ready," said freshman Alex Cook, Xi Omicron. "Elizabeth Hood, (a junior Xi Omicron member) called us newbies over and told us three key points to talk about right before we lined up. I learned a lot about the recruitment process and learned that it can sometimes be difficult to get the hang of."

With the short amount of time given to prepare, all of the members made the best of the experience and were able to recruit an amazing group of 120 women. Over the next week they are hoping to initate more members to reach a quota of 190. They believed that the support of the other Greek life chapters at OSU and the school's administration made the colonization process a very insightful and moving experience. The Xi Omicron members hope that our Arkansas Greek life would extend the same courtesy toward any new additions to the Razorback community in the years to come.

"Overall, being a part of installing and colonizing a new chapter at a school where Greeks are held to such high standards was nothing short of rewarding," said Bennett.

By working with the OU chapter, Xi Omicron members were given the chance to not only meet new members but also to bond with sisters from another chapter.

"I loved getting to know the OSU girls and the OU AOIIs!" said sophomore Alexa Howard, Xi Omicron. "I think one of the funniest parts of our time together was when OSU's mascot, Pistol Pete, came to the AOII bid day and walked around the girls shooting a pistol and making loud noises. We were all scared to death!"

"Overall, it was really cool to see the support all of OSU Greek life had for the new chapter; it was like AOII was already in the family," said junior Hayley Ray, Xi Omicron President. "I think it went really well, they recruited an awesome new group of women. The experience was unforgettable, and I am excited that our chapter was able to participate!"

The AOII sorority will soon continue its growth and excitement by extending their chapter to Texas Christian University this spring. Congratulations to Oklahoma State University on your new Greek life chapter!

Alexa is a sophomore studying public relations and advertising. You may contact her at aalbrech@uark.edu.