Hello and welcome to the 1st edition of GT Cribs, hosted by yours truly! Today we're going to take a look at Georgia Tech's very own Phi Mu and their beautiful house.
Phi Mu was established on campus in 1989. Their house was built in 2003. Prior to construction, they were housed in what is now Alpha Delta Chi. Their front walkway is flanked by two lions that represent Sir Fidel, Phi Mu's mascot.
Once you walk inside, the blues, creams, and greens all provide a soothing atmosphere, while the crystal chandelier adds a note of grandeur to the foyer.
To either side you can see sisters studying, talking, laughing, and just enjoying each other's presence. Current resident and house manager Katie Simmons says that “our house represents the 'togetherness' that we all share. We share lunches and dinners together in the kitchen. We gather around the couch and hang out, or watch our favorite late night television together. The dining room is usually filled with sisters working together on homework. The house is a place we can decompress, and also spend some quality time with each other."
And they have the perfect places to do it; from comfy chairs and couches to a formal study-only dining room. Resident Jackie Krevolin's favorite study spot is the formal dining room because “it's convenient to be able to walk downstairs and study with my sisters." Phi Mu excels in academics, with an overall chapter GPA of 3.29 as of last fall.
The couch is the most popular place to hang out with sisters of all ages, majors, and interests, and the most popular cuddle buddy is Bid Day Bear. Bid Day Bear is a Phi Mu tradition that started when a New Member director bought a giant stuffed bear instead of candy for Phi Mu's Bid Day celebration. 3rd year Phi Mu Sydney Geren “love[s] the couch and bid day bear because for some reason those two things bring people together. I have had the best talks on the couch and have gotten the best hugs from that bear. When you just need an escape from Tech and people and stress, it can be found in the arms of bid day bear and in the chats on the couch."
Another favorite of Phi Mu is their meal plan. Phi Mu is equipped with a full kitchen staffed by a professional chef and chef's assistant. Katie loves their yummy food. “Our chef, Francina, and her assistant, Laura, are awesome! They make sure we're well fed and taken care of for every meal. Personally, I'm partial to their pimento grilled cheese & tomato soup."
33 of the 185 sisters live in house. The President has her own private suite with her own room, bathroom, and sitting room on the first floor. The rest of the girls live on the 2nd and 3rd floor. There are two girls in every room, and two bathrooms on every floor. The girls are allowed to decorate their rooms to their liking, and can pick their own roommates. There is free laundry and a private upstairs lounge and kitchenette for the house's residents. Katie loves that she is “surrounded by a constant community of friends...My favorite nights are the nights when a bunch of us just wander into someone's room and we stay up late just laughing and being silly."
Phi Mu's national Philanthropy is Children's Miracle Network, for whom they raise money and volunteer every year through hospital tours and parties. 2nd year Anna Gwaltney says that CMN is one of the reasons she joined Phi Mu. “Philanthropy has always been an integral part of my life, and I am very passionate about Children's Miracle Network. Seeing Phi Mu's true passion for their philanthropy, which happens to be CMN, is a main reason why I joined. Being involved on the philanthropy committee within Phi Mu has greatly shaped my college experience so far by providing me with opportunities to meet new people, give back, and grow as a person." Phi Mu's annual fund raising event, Tea Party, raised over $5,700 for Children's.
On top of their philanthropy, the girls participate in a wide range of mixers, date nights, intramural sports, sisterhood events, and Greek Week and Homecoming. Emma Curtis' favorite part of the year is Tug season leading up to a tug of war competition for Greek Week. “It's an awesome way to get in shape and get close with sisters you may not have gotten to know otherwise...Tug has taught me to push myself to the absolute limits and when I think I'm there, push a little farther."
Phi Mu's house is the perfect place to develop and preserve their sisterhood. From lunches to athletics, this gorgeous house helps them keep their sisterhood close. Thanks for the peek into your house and sisterhood Phi Mu!
