Difference between pages "Upsilon" and "Gamma Upsilon"

From Kappapedia
(Difference between pages)
Jump to: navigation, search
 
(→‎Highlights of 2023s:)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Infobox Fraternity
 
{{Infobox Fraternity
−
|Name= Upsilon
+
|Name= Gamma Upsilon
−
|GreekSymbol= ϓ
+
|GreekSymbol= ΓY
−
|Image= [[File:Upsilon.jpg|200px]]
+
|Image= [[File:Gamma_Upsilon.jpeg|200px]]
−
|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1882|04|18}}
+
|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1929|05|11}}
−
|College= [http://www.northwestern.edu/ Northwestern University]
+
|College= [https://www.ubc.ca/ University of British Columbia]
−
|Location= Evanston, IL
+
|Location= Vancouver, BC
−
|Homepage= [http://www.northwestern.edu/gogreek/community/chapters/kkg.html Upsilon Homepage]
+
|Homepage= [https://ubc.kappa.org/ Gamma Upsilon Homepage]
−
|Media= [http://wiki.kappakappagamma.org/index.php?title=Category:Upsilon Media related to Upsilon Chapter]
+
|Media= [https://wiki.kkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Gamma_Upsilon Media related to Gamma Upsilon Chapter]}}
−
}}
 
  
−
<table><tr><td>
 
  
−
'''Northwestern University established in 1851, Evanston, Illinois'''
+
'''University of British Columbia established in 1912, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada'''
  
  
−
'''Founded April 18, 1882 - 5 charter members'''
+
'''Gamma Upsilon founded May 11, 1929 – 15 charter members'''
  
  
−
'''3,202 initiates (as of June 2015)'''
+
'''1,378 initiates (as of June 2018)'''
 +
 
  
 
----
 
----
  
−
'''Charter members:'''
+
'''Charter Members:'''
−
Anna M. Boyle, Grace Little, Minnie Louise Scott, Katharine Lucinda Sharp, Lucy Katharine Wood.
 
  
−
'''Outstanding Upsilon Alumnae:'''
+
Doris Isabel Crompton, Isobel Gertrude Douglass, Jean Margaret Dowler, Hilary Rowena Bainbridge Helliwell, Elizabeth Deinstadt Killam, Cecilia Millicent Maria Agnes Garesche Lauder, Mary Kathleen Lyle Mathers, Louise Dorothy McDonald, Dorothy Craig McKay, Katherine Hay Farris Robson, Kathleen Purvis Solloway, Helen Margaret C. Sutherland, Mary Hamilton Watts, Alice Margaret Geddes White.
  
−
'''Fraternity Council Officers:'''
 
  
−
Katherine Lucinda Sharp, Charter member of Upsilon, initiated in 1882; as the first charter member of Upsilon to graduate, Kate received a diamond badge from the chapter. This badge would become the official badge of the President after Kate’s death. It was used until 2000 then retired to Fraternity Headquarters. Elected sixth Grand President 1894 – 1896; the force behind the charter granted in 1899 to Beta Lambda, Illinois. Known as a pioneer in library science; Founded and Directed the Library of the University of Illinois
 
  
−
Carla Sergeant Fisk, Grand Secretary 1896 – 1900, resigned 4/1900; Sought and gained approval for her Sigma-within-the-Delta design at the 1894 convention. The design would become the pledge pin, now known as the new member pin.
+
'''Fraternity Council Members:'''
  
−
Sarah Harris Rowe,  Grand President 1920 – 1922; Grand Vice President 1914 – 1920; Province President 1924 – 1925; Registrar and Dean of Women at the School of Speech Communication at Northwestern
 
  
 +
Gillian Marshall, Laura Seyler, Mia Flett, Julia Rastad, Trishana Tuyet-Pham, Rachel Beck, Yaz Tremblay, Madelaine Hargrave.
  
−
'''Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:'''
 
  
−
Mary Agnes Graham Roberts (Gray), 1976, Convention Chairman 1972 – 1982, Field Secretary 1945-1947
 
  
 +
'''Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:'''
  
−
'''Alumnae Achievement Award recipients:'''
 
  
−
Margaret Dickson Falley, 1970, American genealogist expert and author of Irish and Scotch-Irish Ancestral Research: A Guide to the Genealogical Records, Methods and Sources in Ireland; Elizabeth Baumann Cook, 1984, Expert in building hospital volunteer programs; Julia “Judy” Ade Levering, 2002, First female president of the U.S. Tennis Association; seniors’ tennis championship finalist, Virginia "Ginni" Nicosia Rometty, 2016, business; Punch Hutton, 2016, Deputy Editor of Vanity Fair
 
  
 +
'''Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:'''
 +
 +
Dorothy Taylor, 1954, journalist, author; (Katherine ) Avis Pumphrey, 1964, Social Service pioneer
  
−
'''Additional Outstanding Upsilon Alumnae'''
 
  
−
Betty Robinson Schwartz, Olympic gold & silver medalist; Betty Robinson was the first woman to win a track event in an Olympic Games capturing the 100 meters at the 1928 Olympics; silver medalist as a member of the 4x100m relay in 1928 Olympics; gold medalist on the 4x100m relay at the 1936 Olympics; member of the Track & Field Hall of Fame; the first woman to receive a varsity "N" from Northwestern.
 
  
−
Candy Kubiak, Epsilon Province Representative to the Fraternity’s Undergraduate Council
 
  
−
Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Mayor of Eden Prairie, Minnesota 2014 – 2002; City Council Member 1994 – 2001; Municipal Legislative Commission Board of Directors; 2010 Hennepin County, Minnesota Capital Budgeting Task Force; the Suburban Transit Association, the Southwest Transit Commission and the Family Housing Fund; and President of the Eden Prairie Foundation.
+
-----
  
−
Mary Lisbeth Bartlett Backes, Acting Coach, Professional Actress on Broadway, film, television and at regional theaters across the USA; Lisbeth has been nominated for and won several film and theater acting awards. She has taught acting and audition workshops at undergraduate theater programs, graduate conservatory acting programs and professional theater schools, including Temple University, Northwestern, Brandeis, University of the Arts, Drexel, the Wilma, and many others. Lisbeth made her professional New York and Broadway debuts simultaneously as Irene in Sir Ronald Harwood’s award-winning backstage drama, The Dresser. Her other Broadway credits include Denise Apcar in Emily Mann’s docudrama, Execution of Justice;  and “The Girl” in William Saroyan’s The Cave Dwellers. Her feature films include Rocket Science, Amadeus, Saint Christopher, Suspect and many others. Her television credits include appearances on daytime dramas and a variety of television series.
+
==The Early Years==
  
−
Judith Coggeshall Toth, elected a Maryland State Representative
+
“We, at the University of British Columbia, are proud and happy to be part of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity. We are not so well known as some of the American chapters, but we have been going strong since 1929.” So writes the research historian for Gamma Upsilon Chapter.
  
−
Sharon Spence Lieb, Television writer, producer and professor of master’s level courses in travel writing. For more than 20 years, Spence Lieb has been a travel writer, mentoring her students and enabling them to become professional journalists and authors. In 2011 Spence Lieb took first-place prize for Best Online Consumer-Oriented Travel Article for her Jetset Extra article “Looking for Captain Cook: Penguins, Icebergs, and a World Famous Explorer.” Awarded by the Atlantic-Caribbean Chapter of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW). Spence Lieb also won two other first place awards in two categories – Best Newspaper Article Foreign Travel and Best Magazine Article Foreign Travel – for stories which appeared in The Moultrie News Newspaper of Mount Pleasant, SC and Journeys West Magazine of Vancouver, British Columbia. In addition, she won a third place award for Best Self-Illustrated article titled “The Pursuit of Happiness in Cancun,” which also appeared in The Moultrie News.
+
The University of British Columbia opened in September, 1915, “cradled in wartime,” with few buildings and very little equipment. The relationship of the faculty and students contributed in no small measure to the development of the university on the edge of the Empire in Vancouver, Canada. The faculty helped formulate student policies and stood loyally by student government through all its vicissitudes.  
  
−
Donna Cousins Vos, Novelist and founding editor of Career World Magazine; Cousins’ byline has appeared in the Geneva Courier, The Singapore American newspaper, Orientations, and The Asia Magazine, among others. Her short stories have appeared in the literary journal Peregrine and an anthology, Take Two, They’re Small. Her debut novel, Landscape, won first place in the 2005 Midwest Independent Publishers Association Book Awards, honorable mention in Writer’s Digest International Self-Published Book Awards, and honorable mention in ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Awards.  Waiting for Bones, her second novel was published in 2011.
+
The part which seven women students had in the evolution of student government led, through this by-path, to the founding of Delta Phi, a local sorority, in the spring of 1919. Its purpose was “to bind together in friendship, a group of graduates and undergraduates of the university in a closer way than may be accomplished in the alumni association.”
−
Virginia Nicosia Rometty, Senior Vice President IBM Global Business Services. Nicosia Rometty was named among Fortune Magazine’s “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
 
  
−
Laura Forbes Carlin, and Alison Forbes, Tulane — Sisters, writers, and co-founders of Inspired Everyday Living. Together they are co-authors of The Peaceful Nursery: Preparing a Home for Your Baby, published in 2006 by Random House, and two eGuides Love at Home: The Single Girl’s Guide to Feng Shui and Life Design and Laura and Alison’s What You Will Need for a Healthy, Green Baby Nursery. The duo has contributed to magazines and websites including Natural Home, YogiTimes, Intent.com, and ClubMom.com and has been featured in publications that include The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, Traditional Home, C Magazine, Angeleno, ePregnancy, LA Parent, Daily Candy, and The Hollywood Reporter as well as appeared on radio and television. Over the years, the pair has also consulted with clients from New York to LA.
+
The year following the founding of Delta Phi two more sororities appeared on the campus. Two years later, at the call of the Delta Phi president, representatives of the three sororities organized the Inter-Sorority Board. This step led to official recognition of sororities by Student Council, and later by the University Senate. From that time on more groups appeared and became increasingly interested in linking themselves with international fraternities and sororities. A summary of Delta Phi meetings for a number of years might have been, “To be or not to be, that is the question.”
  
−
Sarah Partridge, Actress and jazz vocalist; head of Jazz Explorers, a children’s program bringing jazz and improvisation into elementary schools. Partridge appeared in the 1983 American teen comedy-drama film Risky Business. Throughout the late eighties and early nineties, Partridge could be seen guest starring in many TV series, sitcoms and soap operas. Debut CD, I’ll Be Easy To Find, received excellent reviews in Billboard magazine. Her second CD Blame It On My Youth was released in 2004.
+
The year 1925 was an important one in the history of the university. It was then that the big switch-over was made to the permanent site at Point Grey.
  
−
Dina Roth Port, Award-winning freelance writer, journalist, and author. Her book, Previvors: Facing the Breast Cancer Gene and Making Life-Changing Decisions, was published by Penguin in October 2010. A former health editor at Glamour magazine and editor at Parenting magazine, Roth Port’s writing has appeared in national publications such as Glamour, Self, Parenting, The Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, Natural Health, Fitness, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Prevention.
+
Delta Phi became Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma May 11, 1929, after the long debate over the question of affiliation ended. The chapter was installed by Georgia Hayden Lloyd-Jones, Wisconsin, and Beta Pi Chapter, University of Washington. Actives and alumnae were initiated together in an impressive ceremony.  
−
The Barta sisters, Lexi , Romi and Marni all of Upsilon founded their nonprofit organization, Kid Flicks in 2002. The Barta sisters have received numerous awards for their work. In 2011, the sisters received the Harlequin More Than Words Award, honoring ordinary women for their extraordinary commitment to women and the causes dearest to them.  
 
  
−
-------------------------
+
Gamma Upsilon, following the tradition established by the local sorority, continued to take a leading role in university life, as well as carrying on projects away from the campus.
  
−
==The Early Years==
 
  
−
“In 1882 there was at Northwestern only one women’s fraternity, Alpha Phi. During the winter, several freshmen conceived the idea of starting a chapter of a rival fraternity, and the result was Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma.” So wrote an early Upsilon historian. One of those freshmen, Anna Boyle Brown, learned of fraternities through her brother, a Butler graduate, and together they wrote Kappa’s Grand President Tade Hartsuff (Kuhns), M—Butler, a good friend of Clarence Boyle, about forming a chapter at Northwestern.
+
==World War II Years==
  
−
The President wrote back: the Fraternity would be glad to enter Northwestern and she was satisfied with Anna’s selection of members. The oath of secrecy was forwarded and on its return, the constitution was sent. On the evening of April 18, 1882, Anna read the constitution and initiation ceremony to her chosen four and administered the oath of secrecy. The bylaws of Mu Chapter were read and taken as a model for Upsilon. Within a month, four more girls were initiated.
+
During World War II, the girls took part in money-raising events for the Canadian Red Cross. Mary Frances Trumbull (Tuck), Panhellenic president, was “convenor” or chairman of the 1945 Red Cross Ball, which netted $4,000. Members of Gamma Upsilon made up 20 percent of the university’s Red Cross Corps. They also paid regular visits to military hospitals and provided Christmas gifts and music for pensioners in an old people’s home.
  
−
By the end of the first decade, membership was reported as 11 actives and 11 pledges. Meetings, which first took the form of literary and social gatherings, were held in private home and later on in “Upsilon Hall,” a rented space over a local drugstore. “At homes and receptions were held, there was an annual spring party, and the first alumnae reunion took place during the 13th Biennial Convention in 1896, over which Katharine Sharp, Upsilon charter member, presided as Grand President. Miss Sharp held two doctorates and a law degree.
+
One of these wartime members was Audrey Reifel, who demonstrated outstanding leadership and gave unselfishly to Gamma Upsilon until her sudden death. In 1950, the chapter established the Reifel Award, to be presented to an active making outstanding contributions to the well-being of the chapter. The Reifel family generously donated to the chapter three paintings by two of Canada’s foremost artists, in memory of their daughter.
  
−
In 1897, chapter meetings were held weekly in Woman’s Hall on campus. Upsilon member Carla Sargent (Fisk) was Grand Secretary 1896-1900 (she resigned in 4/1900), and during this time she designed the Sigma in Delta, which later became the pledge pin.
+
The Kappas have always been involved in many activities. Two members were championship tennis players in the 1930s. Another received one of the most prestigious University of British Columbia athletic awards for two consecutive years.
  
 +
Although a woman becoming a minister is not unusual today, the chapter is especially proud of a member who was one of the best known ministers in Vancouver. She brought up three children before she entered this profession.
  
−
==Turn of the Century==
+
Katherine Avis Pumphrey, a social worker, received the 1964 Kappa Alumnae Achievement Award, and a 50-year pin.
  
−
Minutes from the turn of the century are full of participation in campus activities, selection for academic and social honors, annual dances and parties, and even trips to Urbana, Illinois, for the Northwestern–Illinois football game.
 
  
−
In those days of close ties and short distances, alumnae kept in touch. Time after time, alumnae took part in Initiation and other chapter functions, and by 1904 there is mention of affairs planned for the chapter by the alumnae association. Nearby Conventions were enthusiastically attended and in 1906, Upsilon was represented by 19 actives and alumnae at the Madison, Wisconsin, General Convention. Places prominent today in Evanston social life were mentioned in the early years of the 20th century: chapter luncheons at Marshall Fields’, senior farewells at Ravinia, parties at the Kenilworth Club, and a house party at Macatawa, Michigan. It took a whole page of the minute’s book to record all the honors and chapter activities of 1906, and each marriage is duly registered along with an occasional athletic score.
+
'''Housing'''
  
−
There were no sorority houses in 1908. There was just a Kappa room on the top floor of the old Willard Hall where actives met every Monday evening. Sarah Rowe (Kanaga) and her sisters were in the Upsilon chapter and lived in Evanston, so their home became the Kappa annex, with their father the credit manager and sponsor of the chapter.
+
Until 1952, except for a brief period in the late 1920s when an unsuccessful attempt was made to maintain a house, the Kappas on the University of British Columbia campus had been meeting in private homes. In that year, a cooperative effort on the part of nine sororities and their alumnae built a Panhellenic House which continues today as the campus center for the women’s fraternities.
  
−
In 1912 it was Upsilon’s turn to be hostess chapter. The Estes Park, Colorado convention in 1914 opened wider horizons for Sarah and led to the eight years she would serve as a member of the Grand Council. She became the first Executive Secretary, sans salary, sans central office, with all files and records in her apartment. The central office became a reality during her term as president. (Taken from The Key, Summer 1974, Vol. 91 No.2)
+
Among the most popular campus activities are Mardi Gras and Songfest. Mardi Gras formerly combined carnival, pep meets and raffle. It generated wide excitement and involvement. Ending three gala days was a costume ball with a floor show. Today Mardi Gras is a campus game night, and all proceeds, up to $10,000 a year, are given to charity. Songfest seems to grow every year, with sororities and fraternities competing in song and dance for the prized Songfest Cup. Although Kappas have not been successful in winning this cup, we have great fun presenting our show.
  
 +
Recruitment was hosted for the first time in the brand new Panhellenic House, a project for Panhellenic and the Vancouver Alumnae Association. Alumnae donated both their time and funds towards the construction of the facility. Located on campus, Panhellenic House is home to 64 women students in “quads” located on the top three floors. Gamma Upsilon occupies an entire quad, known as Kappa Quad. The facility is shared with group, including Kappa Alpha Theta and Gamma Phi Beta. Panhellenic House has eight chapter rooms, and Kappa was assigned one of the largest ones at the front of the building. Loyal alumnae raised funds to provide the Kappa chapter room with tasteful interior decoration, and the chapter was pleased to have a place to finally call “home.”
  
−
==World War I Years==
+
--------------------------------
 +
The previous information was excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, 1870-1976. The information that follows has been gleaned from available resources including Chapter History Reports, chapter meeting minutes, letters and comments from chapter members and alumnae, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Archives, and The Key. Each chapter is expected to update its history record annually. Contact Fraternity Headquarters at kkghq@kkg.org with questions.
 +
--------------------------------
 +
 
  
−
During 1914-1918, World War I had an effect on chapter activities. The minutes record: a “clothing for Belgian children” drive, a “less expensive party so that money could be donated to worthy causes,” … War Bond drives, and a donation to the Prisoners of War Fund … “Nancy Knight (Slight) is head of the Red Cross Chapter of the University. Here many of us spend our leisure hours and find it quite worthwhile.” However, a semi-normal campus life is indicated, with rushing parties, football games and summer house parties. After the Armistice in the fall of 1918, the influenza epidemic ground activities to a standstill. There were severe restrictions on campuses across the country for many weeks.
+
==Highlights of the 1980s-1990s==
 +
 +
From 1985 to 1995, UBC was ranked as one of the top 50 universities in the world. This brought increased enrollment and expansion to the campus. UBC purchased Pacific Spirit Park during the expansion phase as part of the UBC Endowment Lands. Due to the increase in the university, Gamma Upsilon was also able to expand. The downside to expansion was the crowding of the Panhellenic House (built in 1958). In an effort to find a solution, Kappa’s actively helped in the planning of the Forever Friends Campaign in 1994. This campaign helped to raise more than $4,000,000 to put towards a new Panhellenic House to help overcome the constraints of limited space.
  
−
Another Upsilon member, Sarah Harris Rowe, began her career with the Fraternity Council when she was elected the first Grand Vice President, charged with the supervision of alumna interests in 1914. Sarah also served as Alumna Editor of The Key. She was directly responsible for the Bas-Meudon post-war Kappa project through her correspondence with Dorothy Canfield Fisher, Ohio State, who was living in France during World War I. Sarah was elected Grand President at the Golden Jubilee Convention serving during 1920-1922. She recommended the establishment of Kappa’s first Central Office with a paid Executive Secretary.
+
In 1985, Dr. David W. Strangway was named University President. Computerized telephone registration was introduced in 1988. This new registration method put an end to students having to physically walk across campus from department to department to register for classes.
  
 +
UBC celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1990 with a series of special events, which included the largest open house in the university’s history. U.S. President, Bill Clinton visited UBC in 1993 which drew publicity to the campus and Professor Michael Smith received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering work in the development of “site directed mutagenesis”.
  
−
'''Housing'''
 
−
 
−
Records of 1921 say that “future generations living in the house will find it hard to realize the thrill we all had when the battle to be allowed to build houses was at last won, and the enthusiasm with which we undertook money-raising activities.” The next years were full of this effort, led by Isabel Drew Fowler, and in September 1927, the present chapter house, 1871 Orrington Avenue, was occupied by 27 girls. Mrs. Fowler, lifetime contributor to Northwestern, to Kappa, and to her community, died in 1973 at the age of 100.
 
  
−
The 1930s saw much campus participation, increasing success in academics and the beginnings of large chapters with pledge classes of 30. Alpha Chapter at Monmouth was reestablished under the direction of Upsilon member Joyce Snider (Heaton) who left Northwestern to head up the colonization.
 
  
  
−
==World War II Years==
+
==Highlights of 2000-2010==
  
−
World War II found most girls enrolled in defense courses. Campus events were canceled, nearby military men were entertained, and funds were raised for War Bond purchases. Shortage of materials wiped out floats, decorations and campus theatricals. Nurses’ aid duty was performed at Evanston Hospital, USO volunteer staffs were manned and blood banks were supplied.
+
One of the chapter’s greatest challenges was welcoming large classes of new members into the chapter. With so many new members coming, it was necessary to assure that everyone was given the opportunity to get to know each other well. This challenge was met by holding many sisterhood events, such as spa nights and picture frame decorating. This way, new members and active members alike were able to bond and feel comfortable with their new sisters.
−
After the war, life returned to normal.  
 
  
−
Students at Northwestern began the tradition of Mayfete, a time when students would celebrate the "renunciation of the May Queen of the temporal world for a spiritual one," according to a 1951 history of the event. Although little is known about the early days, May Day, was originally a celebration of the women of Northwestern. The crowning of the May Queen was the central event, and the pomp included a Maypole dance and cotillion.
+
Another challenge was getting everyone involved. The way that the chapter overcame this challenge was to introduce “Kappa Kore Groups.” Each member of the chapter was assigned to one of the Kore Groups, and each group was assigned to another fraternity and sorority in the Greek system. Members were expected to attend the events of their respective fraternities and sororities, and were given extra Kore Group points for attending events outside of their assigned group. This was a fun way to get everyone involved, and to stir up a little competition!
  
−
The next years were full of success for Upsilon; the chapters on campus grew larger and their activities more diverse. By 1953, chapter elections were held by class caucus. By 1964, with a pledge class of 32 and 78 in the active chapter, a new addition allowed 60 girls to live in the house.
+
Throughout this decade, UBC continued to be an active campus. Focus remained on promoting a sustainable lifestyle on and off campus. Excitement for the Winter Olympic Games in 2010 was apparent on campus. Movies and television shows were filmed around the campus. Throughout the years, the chapter also participated in numerous league sports and other sporting events, including Storm the Wall, winning Water Wars, and coming in third in Day of the Longboat.
  
 +
Gamma Upsilon also continued its tradition of Reading Buddies with a third grade class at University Hill Elementary school every Friday and won a number of awards from Panhellenic including third place Philanthropy Award, third place Sports Award, and third place Top All Around Sorority. Six members were also recognized for achieving outstanding academic averages and five were recognized for achieving an outstanding number of sports points. Charlotte Paterson was honored with winning the Panhellenic Top Individual Athlete Award and Magee Walker won the Panhellenic All-Around Woman Award.
  
−
==Changing Times==
+
The members participated in a number of other Greek events during Greek Week and held its annual Sapphire Ball at the Four Seasons Resort and Spa in Whistler, BC. Gamma Upsilon also held an annual Parent/Alumni Tea. During the summer, members stayed in contact with each other and some attended a "Kamp Kappa" camping trip near a lake in B.C. Several members also attended Kappa Convention, where the chapter received recognition with Honorable Mentions in New Member Program, Recruitment, and Chapter Management.
 +
 +
The school year begins annually with a chapter recruitment retreat in August, leading up to successful recruitment result. New members were presented at the Pride of Panhellenic luncheon. Bid Day celebration was themed the "Miss Kappa Pageant" during which each Key Sister was revealed by the "judges". Gamma Upsilon celebrated the founding of Kappa with events featuring many of its own alumnae. The social committee organized a great Date Dash surprise event prior to Inspiration Week and Initiation, at which the Leadership Consultant assisted.  The chapter conducted its annual Kappa Book Drive and celebrated the chapter’s 80th birthday with a special event. The chapter also participated in and won Order of Omega's Songfest competition with a selection from Across the Universe and enjoyed an "Ugly Christmas Sweater" themed meeting during the holidays.
 +
 +
Gamma Upsilon held its first Kite and Key semi-formal dance in conjunction with Kappa Alpha Theta at the Vancouver Aquarium, where everyone enjoyed dancing with the belugas and admiring the sea lions. The chapter proved to be outstanding in athletics, finishing off the term in second place in the all-sorority division. Its basketball team came in first in the league. Other highlights included victory in the Great Trek, involvement in a number of UBC Legacy Game events such as broomball, day of the long boat, winter fest, and more. Members also excelled in academics, with many members receiving GPA scores well above the all-sorority averages.
 +
 +
The chapter consistently placed well in the Panhellenic Awards for scholarship, encouraged because of a Kappa Mentor program pairing older girls with newer members in the same field of study and with the Smart Cookie Program and The No-"Skippy" Jar.
  
−
The late 1960s and early 1970s were characterized by comparatively abrupt and progressive change. The Greek system at Northwestern was under great pressure, its very existence in question. By 1970, only four sororities, Kappa included, were attaining pledge quota, and four other relinquished their charters. The over two-thirds of undergraduate women who had been sorority members diminished to less than one-third in the early 1970s. Local autonomy, the self-governing of each living unit, became the biggest issue at Northwestern, as the university withdrew all controls in university-owned housing. In addition, the university requested all Greek-letter organizations to become fully self-governing, independent of alumnae and/or national control. Furthermore, each organization was asked to state in writing that no discrimination practices concerning race, color or creed were employed in membership selection. With the aid of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Council, Upsilon Chapter was able to satisfy each university request.
 
  
−
Lifestyles within the chapter house were naturally affected by the many changes witnessed throughout the campus. Complete internal harmony was not always possible as each active evaluated the relative meaningfulness of her fraternity affiliation. Fortunately, Upsilon remained strong, emerging with an honorable mention for chapter-Advisory Board relations in 1968, a best all-around chapter award at Province Meeting in 1969, and a scholarship award at the 1970 Centennial Convention.
+
'''Philanthropy:'''
  
−
Chapter meeting minutes from the 1970s show Upsilon active and popular. One Registrar’s note stated it well: “Upsilon is on the UP this year.” Once again, there was talk of campus participation for the fun of it. However, academic pressures of Northwestern continued to make scholarship a prime concern of the chapter. Upsilon’s chapter GPA was a 3.5 for several years.
+
Gamma Upsilon annually raised more than $2,000 annually during its philanthropy week. Proceeds went to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Events included Gamma Upsilon’s annual Desserts for a Cure, an all-you-can-eat dessert buffet with a minimum $5 donation. During the week, the chapter sold pink ribbons, had a pink raffle (with donated prizes from sponsors such as Starbucks) and had a 50/50 raffle during Desserts for a Cure.  
−
---------------------------------
 
−
The previous information was excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, 1870-1976. The information that follows has been gleaned from available resources including Chapter History Reports, chapter meeting minutes, letters and comments from chapter members and alumnae, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Archives, and The Key. Each chapter is expected to update its history record annually. Contact Fraternity Headquarters at kkghq@kkg.org with questions.
 
−
--------------------------------
 
  
−
==Highlights of the 1970s== 
+
Other chapter philanthropic activities included helping at a soup kitchen downtown weekly and volunteering weekly as reading buddies with children at an elementary school. At the end of March, the chapter hosted a Greek vs. Greek event where the chapter pairs up with other sororities and fraternities to play a week-and-a-half-long game of tag.
−
 
 
−
In February 1970 William Kunstler, defense lawyer for the Chicago Seven on trial for disruption during the 1968 Democratic Convention, was invited to speak on campus by the Northwestern Faculty Action Committee. After the lecture, a crowd went on a rampage in downtown Evanston, smashing windows and causing several thousands of dollars in damage.  
 
  
−
Violence broke out April 27, 1970, when an arson fire caused extensive damage to the linguistics building. The Traffic Institute building at Hinman and Clark was burned down by arsonists. A group of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) protestors tore up the NROTC offices in Lunt Hall.
+
The philanthropy chairmen did a great job organizing events, and encouraging girls to participate in other philanthropy events throughout the Greek system. Some events that Gamma Upsilon participated in included Run for the Cure, Halloween for Hunger, and weekly visits to the Soup Kitchen and Reading Buddies at U-Hill Elementary School. Philanthropy week is always a success, with much money raised through ribbon sales and the renowned Desserts for the Cure. The enthusiasm for philanthropy was recognized throughout the Greek system, as Kappas were the winners of fraternity Sigma Chi’s annual “Derby Days” and sorority Alpha Phi’s “Alphatraz” philanthropy events. As a result of their hard work, the members of Gamma Upsilon placed third in the Ann McMutcheon Memorial Philanthropy Cup.
  
−
Chancellor Miller closed Rebecca Crown Center May 6 as a symbol of Northwestern's participation in the national protest and then ordered all classes cancelled for the rest of the week.
 
−
A second rally was held May 8 by students who organized a huge gathering that night at Dyche Stadium. The National Guard was called in as a precaution. A crowd of approximately 7,000 people attended the peaceful rally.
 
  
−
Classes resumed on May 13 and the campus enjoyed two years of relative quiet.
+
'''Chapter Convention Awards:'''
−
The undergraduates at Northwestern have a number of traditions including Painting the Rock (originally a fountain donated by the Class of 1902) as a way to advertise, for example, campus organizations, events in Greek life, student groups, and university-wide events. Upsilon Chapter composite pictures during the 70s were taken outdoors. The individuality of the members of this chapter has deep roots. No two women posed the same way and each member showed her own unique style through her clothing and attitude in the picture.
 
 
   
 
   
−
Dillo Day, an annual festival at Northwestern University took place each year on the last Saturday of May. Begun in 1972 when Northwestern students from Texas held a small celebration in honor of the armadillo, and organized by the Mayfest student group, the day was characterized by an all-day music festival and special events on the Northwestern Lakefill, as well as a spirit of celebration.  
+
2010 Convention, Gamma Upsilon received Honorable Mention Awards for its New Member Program, Recruitment, and Chapter Management.  
  
−
70% of freshmen at Northwestern participate in Rush Week activities. Over 33% of the class pledges; a 7% increase from 1973. Active Anne Brunk was selected Miss Lake Geneva 1974, was a finalist in the 1974 Miss Wisconsin Pageant, participated in Pom Poms and on the University Gymnastics team.
 
  
−
Scholastic Honoraries included: Phi Beta Kappa; campus photographer; Mortar Board (1974-75).
 
−
At the 1975 Epsilon Province meeting Upsilon chapter was honored with the Jane Rikkers Award for unity and loyalty. Actives were leaders of the Northwestern Panhellenic Council.
 
−
Nine actives performed with the Upsilon Pickers performing at campus activities as well as local clubs and conventions.
 
  
−
Blistered feet became a badge of honor on the Evanston campus since February 1975, the year Dance Marathon, one of the largest student-run philanthropies in the country was launched at Bloomquist Memorial Gymnasium at Northwestern. The first Dance Marathon which lasted a grueling 52 hours, raised $9,105 for the American Epilepsy Foundation and the National Organization for Retarded Citizens. In 1976, the second Dance Marathon was held at Patten Gymnasium and dance time was decreased to 26 hours. The event raised $9,573 that was divided among the same two charities.
+
==Highlights of 2011==
 +
Gamma Upsilon had a great 2011. Sisterhood blossomed during Recruitment through the forming and strengthening of new and unexpected friendships. Founders Day this year the chapter decided to try something new and hosted a brunch. It was a wonderful morning of interaction between alumna members, actives and new members.
  
−
The changing culture and economic hard times in Evanston, where Northwestern is located, led the City Council in 1972 to approve the sale of liquor by an 11 to 8 margin, with one abstention. Supporters said liquor licenses would help businesses in the central business district especially hotels and restaurants.  
+
The University introduced a new grading system in 2011 which allowed students to take classes outside their major on a pass/fail format.
  
−
Northwestern followed the trend in 1975, filing a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court. It asked the court to determine that the local option law impliedly repealed the charter ban on alcohol sales within four miles of the campus. The impetus for the legal action came from students after the State of Illinois allowed the sale of beer and wine to persons 19 years old. Students wanted to have a "rathskeller" in Norris University Center.  
+
The annual philanthropy Desserts for a Cure was a huge success in 2011 with the highest attendance in the chapter history.
  
−
The University won its case, applied for a liquor license from Evanston and began serving liquor on campus, ending the ban on alcohol sales that had survived more than 120 years.  
+
==Highlights of 2012==
−
In 1976 a member of Upsilon participated in the study aboard program at the University of Barcelona, Spain; an active was chosen Navy Ball Empress Candidate; another was one of 10 finalists for the 1975 College All-Star Queen and served as an intern in Washington DC; two actives were on the Pom Pom Squad; and three led the Northwestern University spirit on the cheerleading squad.   
+
The year 2012 has been a successful and memorable year for the Gamma Upsilon chapter at UBC. We were delighted to receive multiple awards at Convention, such as runner up for our excellence in Standards; runner up for the Philanthropy Award, runner up for Reading is Fundamental, as well as receiving the Legacy Award.  
−
     
 
−
An Upsilon active was selected secretary-treasurer for the Panhellenic Council. Another active was elected to Phi Beta (national professional fraternity for women in music and speech) and then elected vice president based on her scholarship, leadership and character.
 
  
−
Active, Wendy Gajewski was a singer, actress and pianist who performed all over the country working with well-known celebrities Caesar Romero, John Davidson and David Fry. Ms. Gajewski was the principle soloist and in the choral ensemble in the 1975 and 1976 Waa-Mu shows. She spent her summer working at the newly opened Marriot Great America Theme Park in the Great America Stage Show in Illinois.
+
Our Philanthropy Week was a great success thanks to the hard work and commitment of the women in our chapter. Our annual Desserts-For-A-Cure was extremely popular, featuring all-you-can-eat desserts for a $5 donation to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. In addition, we raised money by selling candy and flower grams which were distributed in time for Valentine's Day. It was wonderful to experience such support from fellow Greek members and it allowed to raise around $1,500 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. On a weekly basis Gamma Upsilon members volunteer at First Baptist Church, where we participate in soup kitchen. In addition, we work with the local elementary school and have created the reading buddy program, where we assist young children with their literacy development.  
  
 +
Within the chapter, our Standards Committee encourages spirit and morale whilst educating the chapter on Kappa values. The committee always maintains high excellence, which was recognized at Convention. We achieved our recruitment goals this year, initiating 29 New Members, many of whom now hold positions on Chapter Council and are showing exceptional involvement in the chapter. This years Founders Day was a fantastic event that displayed Kappa's passion and interest in learning more about our history and maintaining ties with the Vancouver Alumni. We experienced great support from many older alumni as they shared their experiences and stories to inspire the active members of Kappa.
  
−
==Highlights of the 1980s==
+
One challenge that we faced this past year was the vandalism of our Chapter Room. It took tremendous teamwork and cooperation to put the room back together in a timely and cost efficient manner. Alumni and active members were extremely generous in donating time and effort to restore the chapter and create an even more beautiful space. While this was an unfortunate incident, it highlighted the commitment we have to the chapter and each other.
  
−
Picture scrapbooking became the trend at the Upsilon chapter in 1984-1984. From 1985 through 1995 scrapbooks of both photographs and impressive artwork, writings and newspaper clippings reflected the individuality of the talented women in the chapter.  
+
One of our main goals has been to increase the use of social media to promote Kappa on campus. Our PR chairman has been actively using Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to highlight the involvement of Kappa within the Greek and UBC community. Overall, 2012 was a positive year for Gamma Upsilon as we continued to grow and improve our chapter in all areas.    
  
−
Seven Upsilon Kappas headed to Bloomington, Illinois for the 29th Biennial Epsilon Province meeting in April, 1987. The meeting’s theme was “Excellence…The Essence of Kappa.” Members attended workshops on standards, rush, and active-alumni relations. The chapter received the Mabel McCoy Advisory Board Award at the Epsilon Province Biannual Convention for their philanthropic involvement with Evanston’s soup kitchen.
+
One of the largest changes happening on the UBC campus is the construction of our new Student Union Building, due to be completed in 2014. It is intended to be a gathering place where students can interact in order to expand and strengthen our student community. The project is an estimated 103 million dollars and is aiming to receive LEED platinum+, the highest green building rating in North America. Not only is UBC inventive in developing new real estate but we are also leading the $11 million construction of Canada’s largest radio telescope – the first research telescope to be built in the country in more than 30 years. One of UBC’s creative students has produced a film titled When I Walk and it is to be featured in the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. In this film, the director Jason DaSilva portrays his personal experiences living with Multiple Sclerosis and the grueling journey this disease took him on.
 +
 
 +
The overall nature of our chapter is one of true sisterhood, respect and enthusiasm for Kappa Kappa Gamma. This year we have seen a visible increase in attendance to meetings and strengthened enthusiasm for philanthropy and sisterhood events. Chapter Council has done an amazing job of coming up with innovative ideas on how to further improve aspects of the chapter, such as chapter history and our public image.
  
−
The 1987-1988 school year was a great one for the Kappas at Northwestern University. The chapter also won the campus May Sing competition with the help of their Delta Tau Delta partners. The women took first place in the Delta Gamma Anchor Splash and received first place during the Sigma Chi Derby Days for raising the most money for Cystic Fibrosis. During the Greek leadership conference, Upsilon was awarded Distinction for Membership. The chapter had also been nominated for the President’s Award.At this time, Northwestern was composed of nearly 7,000 undergraduates with 13 sororities and 26 fraternities.
+
==Highlights of 2013==
−
+
The year 2013 has been one of the most exciting and influential years for the Gamma Upsilon chapter at UBC. The year started off with a bang with our Philanthropy week and Kappa Kappa Gamma’s annual Desserts for a Cure. We were able to create friendly competition at our hot cocoa stand for people to increase their donations by creating Greek and non-Greek donation jars, which proved to be a great success.  
−
On September 29, pledge night festivities began as the Upsilon chapter welcomed 38 new pledges. The class would be initiated on January 26, 1987. The house held room for 58 women and the chapter size grew to 120 members.  
 
  
−
The 1987 Homecoming theme was “Play It Again Cats.” The Upsilon Kappas partnered with Sigma Nu to build a Victrola with a spinning record as their float for the October 16 parade day. An active dressed as Willie the Wild Cat danced with a costumed Michigan Spartan on the float flanked by chapter members escorting the float through the parade route.
+
In addition to these events, we continue to practice our weekly philanthropies. On Wednesdays we serve food in the soup kitchen at First Baptist Church and on Fridays we work to develop children’s literacy with our reading buddy program at University Hill Elementary School. Our Chapters success continued into March as we made it a priority to participate in other Greek philanthropy events after the victory of our own. We were very proud to win Diamond ball, a baseball tournament put on by Alpha Delta Pi that raises money for the Ronald McDonald House. In addition, we also came in third place with Phi Gamma Delta during Greek week.  
  
−
On October 26, the Upsilon actives and pledges joined the North Shore Alumnae for a Founders Day celebration. Alum, Catherine Cutter of Evanston provided her home for the program. The women had the opportunity to mingle, share stories of Kappa days and taste many wonderful treats donated by local alumnae. The program began at 8 p.m. with a dramatic presentation of short skits by an Upsilon alum and her husband as actors. The skits were based upon everyday life situations. The chapter members participated in the evening presentation with performances by “Pickers,” a Kappa rush tradition, and Pledges, who sand “The Pat Song.” After the entertainment, two Fifty-Year pins as well as one Sixty-Year pin were presented to alumnae.
+
In September, UBC Sororities completed the largest recruitment in Canada, which was a considerable achievement not only for Panhellenic, but for the Gamma Upsilon chapter as well. We initiated 26 new members in November and they have been enthusiastic about becoming involved. Currently 7 of the newly initiated members hold positions on Chapter Council. We honored the founding of Kappa Kappa Gamma at the our founders day brunch, where one active member, who has now gone on to become our President, and two alumnae spoke about the effect that Kappa Kappa Gamma has had on their lives.  
−
Based on chapter evaluations and officer training, the chapter goal for the year was: We will work to enhance loyalty and caring for Kappa and each other. Six steps were created to help the chapter members achieve their goal: Respect for ritual during chapter and functions; implementing parliamentary procedure during meetings; employ a Kappa-of-the-Week program recognizing individuals within the chapter; emphasize hospitality to all; improve faculty and alumni relations and improved education on Kappa finances.
 
  
−
The chapter members participated in three philanthropies during the year, the Evanston soup kitchen, a Sigma Chi sponsored Halloween party for the Uhlich Children’s Home in Chicago on October 28, 1987 and the all-campus Dance Marathon raising money to fight AIDS.  
+
An important priority for the Gamma Upsilon chapter this fall semester was increasing academic achievement. Although it has always been a major priority for the chapter, we came to the realization that we could be doing more to support and encourage our sisters in achieving academic success. The Academic Council was formed in order to assist girls who may be struggling. This council has been crucial in the improvement of academics because it allows for more individual time to be allocated to sisters who need it instead of having just the Vice President Academic Excellence dealing with issues. As incentive to aim high, cookies are distributed weekly to girls who have achieved 80% or higher on an exam or an assignment. Through the implementation of the council and academic incentives we saw the overall chapter average rise just over 3% from the Spring 2013 to the Fall 2013 semester. We hope to continue our success in both the academic and philanthropic arena’s as we continue into the New Year.
−
In May, the chapter held a special ceremony during Senior Week.
 
−
The house initiated a Wise Owl award given each week to a Kappa who had shown the most dedication to the house.
 
  
−
Chapter and Individual honors included Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Eta Sigma, 6th place at the Synchronized Swimming Nationals, Varsity Synchronized Swimming Team, Varsity Track, Mayfest Committee, Associated Student Government Senator, Phone-Anthon Chair for Senior Class Gift Committee and a member of the chapter won an essay contest for her story and received an expense paid trip to France to advise the French government on tourism.
+
The University of British Columbia continues to be an innovative campus that is focused equally on the well being of its students as well as the well being of the Earth and environment. In the spring of 2013 UBC announced that the creation of a smart-grid energy storage system that integrates one megawatt hour of stored energy enough to power an average home for 1,000 hours into a power grid that supports three major campus facilities. In September, The Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS) and UBC was awarded LEED Platinum certification, the highest designation in green building performance from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system. UBC has also made a considerable effort in bettering the lives of its student as well as the environment. The UBC bookstore reduced the cost of course packs, which allowed students to save a average of 33% on their course materials.  
  
−
Historically, June, 1987 was a monumental month for the world as President Ronald Reagan gave the people of West Berlin one of the most memorable lines spoken during his presidency. A twelve-foot concrete Berlin Wall stood as a stark symbol of the cold-war between the United States and Soviet Russia. President Reagan challenged General Secretary Gorbachev to tear down the wall. Two years later the East Germans issued a decree signally for the wall to be opened.  November 9th, 1989 is considered the date the Berlin Wall fell, but the Wall in its entirety was not torn down immediately. People came to the wall with sledgehammers, hammers and chisels to chip off souvenirs, demolishing lengthy parts of it in the process. The women of the Upsilon chapter raised awareness and money towards those efforts in Berlin.
+
The fall semester was a stressful and frightening time on the UBC campus. At the end of September and throughout October there was a string of 6 sexual assaults that occurred on the UBC campus. These events were extremely concerning for our Chapter and the UBC population as a whole. However, in this time of fear the Chapter became closer in attempts to protect one another at all costs. Our Risk Management chairman gave multiple presentations on how we can protect ourselves in times where we find ourselves alone in the evening. She also gave out whistles and contact cards with UBC Securities information. Sisters that lived on campus offered to walk girls home should they ever find themselves alone. It was in this time of stress and uncertainty that brought our chapter closer together and gave us a true understanding of sisterhood. The campus has sense returned to the safe learning environment it always has been, but the increased support for one another within the chapter has remained.
  
−
Upsilon hosted the 30th Province Convention in 1989. Teach For America was founded in 1989 to organize the energy of a generation against educational inequity in the United States. Two members of Upsilon were among its first group of 500 talented young leaders in addressing the problem by committing two years to teach in the United States' highest-need schools. In the coming years, Upsilon would have a steady stream of participants.
+
==Highlights of 2014==
 +
The year 2014 has been a very successful and exciting year for the Gamma Upsilon chapter at UBC. The year started off well with philanthropy week in which we raised money and support through our candy grams and hot chocolate booths in the SUB. Again we found success in instilling some friendly competition with the Greek and non-Greek donation jars. In addition to these events, we continue to practice our weekly philanthropies of Tuesday night soup kitchen at First Baptist Church and Friday afternoon reading buddies at University Hill Elementary School. Our Chapters success continued into March where we ended the month off by introducing our new main philanthropy event Kappa Kourtside featuring Kappa Kappa Gamma’s annual Desserts for a Cure, which proved to be a success. Many teams came out to support our philanthropy and we raised $1600. Our chapter also took part in many Greek philanthropy events such as Diamond ball, put on my Alpha Delta Pi raising money for the Ronald McDonald House. In addition our chapter also attended and volunteered for other charities such as F Cancer (started by one of our very own Yael Cohen) and Women for Women in Afghanistan. To continue our philanthropic year we raised $2025 at the CIBC run for a cure this fall and $1300 at our November Desserts for a Cure. In January we also put on a fantastic rendition of the Lion King for Songfest, hosted by Order of Omega, which included almost every member of our chapter. We initiated 34 enthusiastic new members in November, with seven currently holding Chapter Council positions. This years Founder Day was an amazing event, hosted at Dockside Restaurant in Granville Island. Girls had the chance to connect with Vancouver alumni and learn about our history as well as form connections through the dream wall.
  
 +
An important priority for the Gamma Upsilon chapter this fall semester was increasing chapter involvement and achievements in the Greek community. This has always been a goal of ours but we wanted to emphasize it this year as many girls graduated resulting in a smaller sorority with many new members. We were able to do this by encouraging participation in all Greek events. We had girls volunteer to make teams for almost every sorority and fraternities philanthropy event, such as DG’s anchor splash. Our chapter also had many successful rec sports teams throughout the year, including: two volleyball teams, a soccer team and a dodge ball team last term. We also won the UBC rec softball tournament at the beginning of this year. On top of this participation and success in sports, we had three girls take home top Panhellenic awards. Katie Sherlock won Top Panhellenic Athlete, Amanda Woodland won Top Panhellenic Scholar, and Abby Perehudoff won Top Individual Philanthropist. As well, multiple girls also won accreditation certificate awards. The Academic Council has encouraged academic success in the chapter, as well as incentives such as smart cookies, and library raids. Kappa Kash also encourages girls to participate in our many philanthropic opportunities. Overall morale and sisterhood has been increased and that’s what encourages girls to participate more. We truly hope to continue this successful involvement and overall achievements into the New Year. 
  
−
==Highlights of the 1990s==
+
The University of British Columbia is a large dynamic campus located in the heart of Vancouver’s Pacific Spirit Park; with over 60,000 students the campus is always changing. UBC offers both a diverse academic and athletic program. In the past year the University’s athletic program has come under review. Some of UBC’s athletic programs, like it’s Swimming, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Rowing, and Soccer teams, are held along side some of the best in Canada and North America. Unfortunately programs like its Football, Skiing, and Softball’s continued inability to prove successful has brought attention to the structure of UBC’s athletic program. In 2013 The University announced a review of the athletic program’s structure, promising a more focused and successful program; changing certain team’s privileges from ‘varsity’ to club status, the first steps of which to be put into affect at the beginning of the 2014/2015 academic year. Prior to talks of Athletic reformation the UBC student population has been relatively indifferent with regards to support for it’s varsity programs. The recent attention drawn to the athletic program has caused an influx of school spirit. The Times Higher Education World University Ranking ranked UBC 23rd in the world, and 2nd in Canada. The 2013/2014 average admittance GPA was 89.5%, an increase of .02% from the previous year. The University continues to commit itself to not only educating students to the highest degree, but doing so in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. The University leads the way with sustainable buildings, having built fourteen buildings that adhere to the highest sustainable standards, and is currently in the process of completing five more. The University’s embrace for innovative policies and building begin in what has been publicly recognized by many as "North America's Greenest Building” and one of the greenest buildings in the world.
  
−
In 1990-1991, Upsilon chapter dealt with women and alcohol abuse which had become a growing concern on college campuses from coast-to-coast. The chapter actively participated in experiments concerning alcohol by teaming up with the Northwestern University Psych Department.
+
The fall semester at UBC was exciting and ground breaking. Our Chapter saw one of the busiest rush periods ever. Not only is the campus’ Greek life thriving, but extra curricular involvement at UBC outside of the Greek life is at an all time high. With UBC Sororities at the forefront of involvement of the Alma Mater Society’s 370 recognized clubs, it is a wonderful time to be in the Greek system. Kappa Kappa Gamma hosts the most diverse group of members of any Greek organization at UBC. With members from various parts of the world such as the US, Great Britain, and Thailand, our members are very well rounded. The bonds of sisterhood created prove to be stronger than ever as sisters frequently make plans to visit our sisters from abroad.
−
The United States became involved in Desert Storm on January 16, 1991. The women of the Upsilon chapter began efforts to raise money in support of the Gulf War. Many members however were opposed to the war and this raised concerns over the amount of involvement and participation the chapter should provide. By February 27, President Bush declares suspension of offensive combat and lays out conditions for permanent cease-fire.
 
  
−
IFC and Panhellenic Councils at Northwestern University drafted a joint Risk Management Policy in 1993-1994. Prior to this, each council had their own policy, which were often not compatible with each other.
+
Our chapter holds meetings  in our Chapter room located in the Panhellenic House. The Chapter room is rented and has a comfy classroom setup. We do not have housing at the Gamma Upsilon Chapter in UBC.
  
−
In January 1994, Upsilon pledged 37 women. Officer training was held during the first week of the spring quarter. The chapter held a Rush workshop during New Student Week and the Rush chairs planned a scavenger hunt around campus. The week ended with a chapter retreat to Indiana. During this year’s pledge period the chapter held a Pledge Mom Hunt, Roast and Toast and other fun activities.
 
  
−
Upsilon established an annual philanthropic event called Colorfest, a flag football tournament to raise money to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Teams paid to participate and local business owners and restaurants sponsored the event. Upsilon women were very involved in sports on the Northwestern campus with one a varsity diver, three women soccer players and two players on the field hockey team. A member was elected chair of the Panhellenic Judiciary Board.
+
==Highlights of 2015==
−
During the 80s attendance was a challenge for the chapter with members missing Rush duties and chapter meetings. Chapter Council worked with the Standards Committee to institute effective police changes to find solutions to these concerns.
+
2015 has been a very exciting year, very focused on making changes to better our chapter as well as forming stronger bonds within our sisterhood. In March we welcomed six new and amazing girls through our COB recruitment. To start off March we had the annual Parent Tea in the chapter room, which was a great way to meet some parents and in turn let them have a glimpse into what Kappa means to each member. At our Panhellenic awards ceremony at the end of March we had five girls receive academic accreditation, our chapter was accredited for sports, philanthropy, and leadership and activities, our very own Katie Sherlock was accredited for a top athlete, two of our members were accredited with leadership and top philanthropists, and finally another two of our members were accredited with the all greek women of the year award.  
  
−
The undergraduate student body at Northwestern University had approximately 8,000 in 1995. The campus was made up of seven separate schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Speech, the Engineering School, the Music School, Medill School of Journalism, and the School of Education and Social Policy. The Upsilon chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma was part of the Panhellenic system consisting of 12 sororities. There were 21 men’s fraternities. Approximately 45% of the student body was involved in the Greek system.
+
We also had a beautiful formal at the Arbutus Club at the end of March, which was a fun way to close up the year for our sisterhood. Kappa Kourtside in the second week of April brought out a huge crowd right before exams. And we were able to raise $4891. We also were able to raise $1089 through our Kappa Kandy Grams, and $1745 at our annual Desserts for a Cure. By the end of the term we also had eleven girls with an over 80 average. We are so proud of them and their accomplishments, and hope to inspire the rest of the chapter to keep up this push towards academics!
  
−
1995 was an amazing year for Upsilon. Upsilon chapter had 130 members. The year began with a very successful Rush culminating with the pledging of 36 incredible young women.  
+
At the start of September we attended our retreat at our very own Kristin Short’s house in Shuswap Lake, where we had the opportunity to bond with our sisters at a beautiful location for three days. At retreat we rehearsed all things recruitment, which was very helpful for our newest pledge class. As well, we decorated our new floral letters, and had multiple photo shoots to share on social media as well as for our recruitment video. It was the highlight of the year, and everyone had so much fun.  
−
Members were involved with leadership positions on campus ranging from the Dance Marathon and Special Olympics to Northwestern’s Activities and organizational Board and Theater productions.
 
−
Three couples were sponsored by the chapter to participate in Northwestern’s Dance Marathon in March helping to contribute more than $300,000 to the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The women organized the annual flag football philanthropy with proceeds going to the Off-The-Street Club in Chicago, Illinois.  
 
  
−
In celebration of 125 years of Kappa Kappa Gamma, the chapter had many special alumnae events. The chapter organized a breakfast at the house for alumnae at Homecoming and sponsored a Kappa tailgate at the Northwestern-Wisconsin football game.  
+
Coming into the school year our chapter was extremely busy with planning and preparing for recruitment. We also revamped our website, adding photos from retreat and stepped up our presence and activity on social media. Our house chairman took to decorating our chapter room with some homey pieces, such as polaroid pictures, lights, flowers, pillows and a couple ottomans. Recruitment was a busy time for public relations and our activity on social media. It really paid off however as our new members were able to follow posts during that time and so it was quite effective.  
  
−
Northwestern football was the feel-good sports story of 1995. The NU Wildcats went to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1949. Coach Gary Barnett, instilled in his team expectations of victory, watched with the whole country as the Wildcats kicked off the season with a 17-15 upset of Notre Dame in South Bend. In fact, the Chicago Sun-Times called it "the upset of the century." An estimated 50,000 Northwestern fans, including many members of the 1949 team, flocked to California for the New Year's Day game.
+
Recruitment was the most successful its been in years, we were all so pumped and welcome in 34 new and amazing members. We have carried this excitement throughout the term. We raised $427.70 during our philanthropy weeks cocoa for a cure in the UBC Nest, and $6380 from our participating team in the annual CIBC Run for a Cure. In the first week of November our chapter submitted a video for Gamma Phi Betas philanthropy event, The Gammies. We didn’t win, but our own sister Rebcca Moug took home best actress!
  
−
The women also held an alumnae-active formal at Galleria Marchetti’s in Chicago, Illinois on November 10. Paired with Sigma Chi fraternity for Homecoming, the team took first place in the float building contest. There were many challenges and goals in 1995 with the main goal dealing with Kappa Cohesion. The challenges and assets of the Upsilon members revolved its very dynamic and independent individuals, always off and running in different directions. By sponsoring many Kappa sisterhood events, such as “Friends” parties (inspired by the popular televison sitcom at the time) with frozen yogurt on Thursday nights, Kappas were given the opportunity to relax together and bond without any outside interference. Movie night for Kappas at the chapter house was another convenient way for the women to get together and become more united. An annual Holiday Party was held at the house in December.
+
I-week and initiation took place in the second week of November, and it ran smoothly as well as fun. We even got to have a sisterhood event at Spin Society, where a Kappa alumni generously offered her time to hold. At the end of November we will be hosting what should be an amazing semi formal at the Traditional Chinese Gardens, which our new members are very excited for.  
  
−
Upsilon women held a retreat for their pledges at the Indiana Dunes. They also sponsored special pledge mom dinners at local restaurants. After Initiation on April 1, a breakfast was held for the new initiates and their families. Two traditional date parties were held during Winter quarter. Spring quarter had one date party and the chapter Formal.  
+
Following this on November 22nd we are having someone from headquarters hold a ritual workshop for our chapter. Throughout the year our chapter has taken part in a number of philanthropy events within the Greek community. To list a few, the chapter took part in Sigma Chi’s Derby Days in support of the Shinerama UBC campaign raising money for Cystic Fibrosis research, and AOPi’s Score Out Arthritis which is a indoor soccer tournament. This coming year we are planning on fully using the GIN system for a more concise and official way to keep track with events for the month and year.  
  
−
Upsilon took first place in Sigma Chi’s Derby Days competition in May. The annual Kid’s Picnic, an afternoon of games and pizza with children from a local center for underprivileged children took place in May near Lake Michigan.
+
This fall our campus finally opened its long anticipated new student union building, the Nest. This has been a seven year process, but has been well worth the wait. It is a beautiful LEED platinum certified building (highest green building rating in North America), and has room for the huge growth in students at UBC. It is located right next to the old SUB, and maintains its hub of activity offering a place for students to shop, study, eat and socialize. The building itself is five stories and 250,000 square feet (50% larger than the old SUB), and cost $107 million. The NEST contains eight AMS run food and drink eateries, nine AMS services, as well as a three-storey rock climbing wall. Not only is the building itself sustainable – solar powered cooling, radian hearing/cooling of floors, solar water heaters, cerified wood products, in vessel compositing, storm water management/retention, roof top garden, water efficient landscaping using grey water, but their food is as well – 100% ocean wise certified, local produce, dry food purchased from local companies, and all coffees are certified organic, shade grown, and fair trade.
 +
 +
This year our overall chapters nature has been focused on sisterhood. We started out the year as one of the smallest sororities on campus, but through teamwork we have grown to almost the same size as everyone else. This year as been extremely busy, and we have faced times of difficulty, but we have all really stuck together and helped each other. We have held multiple sisterhood events this year, and chapter council members took to using their committees for help a lot more. As well our chapter has shown a lot of initiative to help each other, and spend time with each other. On top of fun sisterhood events we have also had many study nights, with amazing turn outs. Its so special to see our sisters encouraging and helping each other push for better academics, which has been a struggle for us in the past. Within the first two months of school our chapter had hosted three study nights, one was also with Delta Gamma. Not only have our members pushed to attend all of our own meetings and events but our participation within the Greek community has also increased substantially.  
  
−
Individual chapter honors included: Rho Lambda (Greek Honor Society); Mayo Clinic Scholarship; four women made the Dean’s List; Alpha Lambda Delta; Order of Omega; Women’s Varsity Soccer team; Field Hockey team and alternate National Under 21 Team; Jr. Panhellenic Scholarship; Panhellenic Scholarship Citation; Golden Key Honor Society; Economics Honor Society; National Panhellenic Honor Society; Stinky’s Pub cast member and the Most Spirited Panhellenic Delegate Award.
+
What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community?
 +
Reading is fundamental, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, First Baptist Church soup kitchen
  
−
Northwestern had 8,000 students and 11 sororities and 21 fraternities in 1997. The chapter was full with 60 girls living at the house and a total of 120 members.  
+
Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?
 +
Reading is fundamental is the national Kappa Kappa Gamma philanthropy.
 +
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is our local chapter philanthropy which was started due to an alumni. We hold this philanthropy very close to all our hearts, and one of our alumni, Yael Cohen, actually started the philanthropy Fuck Cancer.  
 +
First Baptist Church – weekly volunteering at soup kitchen
  
−
1997 was a great year for the Upsilon Chapter at Northwestern University. It began with a successful Rush and the pledging of 41 unique and amazing women. The Homecoming theme this year was based on the movie, Men in Black. Upsilon was paired with Sigma Chi and the team took first place in the float competition. The chapter sponsored six couples in Northwestern’s Dance Marathon in March helping to contribute money towards the research on the prevention of brain tumors in children.
+
==Highlights of 2016==   
  
−
In May, for the third straight year the chapter won first place in the Sigma Chi Derby Days competition. The chapter received the Most Improved GPA award. In celebration of Kappa Kappa Gamma’s 126th anniversary the chapter held two special alumnae planned events, one in the spring and one in the fall. Alums were invited to cake and tea at the chapter house. The fall event was organized and held at the home of a local alumna. During both events the women realized the strength of Kappa and the importance of traditions.
+
As a whole chapter, we were able to accomplish the Anna Kianna Panhellenic Award and Ann McCucheon Philanthropy Award, as well as two individual awards, Top Panhellenic Scholar and Top Individual Philanthropist, at this past Panhellenic Spring Awards. Many have also won individual awards and scholarships such as Just Desserts (recognizes members of UBC community with outstanding contribution), Dean’s Honour List (for those with grades within the top 10%), Major Entrance Scholarship, Chancellor’s Scholar Award, Outstanding International Scholarship and initiation to Gamma Sigma Alpha (for members of the Greek system with +77% average). Our members were able to get involved with other UBC organizations such as the Alma Mater
 +
Society, various faculties and different clubs as executive members or as volunteers; Delegate, Promotional Team, RC and VP Recruitment for Panhellenic, Vice President for POITS, Dean’s Student Advisory Council, House President of Salish House of Totem Park Residence, General Volunteer for UBC Hospital, InterClub Executive at Blood for Life, VP Student Life at Arts Undergraduate Society, VP UBC Thunderbird Dance Team and Volunteer Avenue Coordinator of AMS to name just a few.
  
−
The chapter focused of two things during the 1997-1998 school year: officer leadership and a successful Kappa experience. The chapter was confident a more organized and efficient group of officers would lead the other women of Kappa to have a more meaningful experience. It was felt traditions had become too relaxed and not performed as well as they could have been. Steps were taken by the officers to ensure positive change requiring members to attend meetings and learn the official and proper ways to perform rituals. Attitudes improved, participation was up and the year ended on a positive turnaround.
+
Members have also volunteered with organizations outside the UBC community: BC Women and Children’s Hospital, VGH Renal Dialysis Unit, Strathcona Clinic, Kiwanis Club, Women for Women, Junior Achievement, BC SPCA and Burnaby Hospital of Mental Health.
 +
 +
Describe the recent changes on your campus and describe the overall nature of your chapter.  On campus, there is a newly open first year residence, Orchard Commons, which has greatly improved housing and expanded capacity for first years to be guaranteed housing. A lot of our new members have the privilege of living in this new building.
  
−
There were many Kappa sponsored events, all intended to create and increase involvement for everyone from Pledges to Seniors. The women accomplished this with activities like the senior formal, Kappa Crunch at Carmen’s Pizzeria, and Pledge Week. After initiation a nice brunch was held for the new initiates and their families. The Upsilon chapter also held the two traditional date parties during the Winter quarter. In the Spring quarter a formal and date party were also organized. During the month of May, the girls hosted a basketball tournament with Phi Sigma to raise money for the Foster Reading Center in Evanston. In the Fall, the chapter became very involved with the Off-The-Street Club in Chicago. The chapter organized a pumpkin carving event for the children at Halloween and a Christmas Tree decorating party in December.
+
Our chapter's nature in 2016 has once again been one of loyalty, community and sisterhood. We have gained 35 wonderful new members who have each been an extraordinary addition to our chapter. Many of the new members have taken positions on Chapter Council as well as been appointed significant leadership roles assisting some of the Chapter Council Executives. In addition, two of our members have been chosen for executive positions on Panhellenic Council. We are all very proud of these girls and especially excited for our chapter to have great representation on Panhel's board.   
 +
 +
Chapter Philanthropy:
 +
What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community? 
 +
 +
-Reading is Fundamental (international)
 +
-Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation (international) 
 +
-The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (national)
 +
-Soup Kitchen Tuesdays at First Baptist Church, Reading Buddy Fridays at University Hill Elementary (local)
  
−
Greek leaders on the Northwestern campus in 19998-1999 drafted and approved the "Mission of the Northwestern University Greek Community" during their annual Greek Leadership Retreat at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The mission statement read: We commit to cultivating a unified Greek community of diverse individuals that fosters personal excellence, scholastic achievement, social enrichment, and civic responsibility. We strive to be an exemplar of sisterhood and brotherhood for the Northwestern University community and beyond.
+
Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?
 +
The members of our chapter hold the causes of both our national and local philanthropies dear to our hearts. Like most people, we have been affected one way or another by breast cancer, which is why we find it important to raise awareness and funds to support the research and survivors of this disease. As for our two local philanthropies, Soup Kitchen Tuesdays and Reading Buddy Fridays, our chapter wanted a way to give back to our community not just through organizing internal events, but also by participating in charitable activities every week. Reading Buddy Fridays is a program that also helps us show our support towards the Reading is Fundamental organization consistently throughout the year.  
  
−
An incredibly successful Homecoming weekend was held October 16 -18, 1998. Upsilon paired with Sigma Chi to take second place for their sock hop-on-wheels float celebrating, These Are the Days. The float (finished in under a week) was an eight-foot towering replica of a Wurlitzer jukebox, equipped with Northwestern’s “Ns” on each side of the panels along with purple pride. Active Emily Rebholz created 12 poodle-skirts with “Ns” replacing the poodle for the skirt-clad Kappas to wear for the choreographed dance on the float to the delight of the hundreds of people lining the mile-long parade.
+
Chapter Facility:
 +
In what kind of a facility does your chapter meet? Please attach a clear photo of where you typically hold chapter meetings – whether in a classroom, chapter house or elsewhere.
  
−
A date party was held at a Mexican restaurant, El Jardin in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago. The fall formal was held on the Spirit of Chicago, a chartered yacht.  The previous fall the chapter decided to change its focus on philanthropy by shifting to community service, and a new philanthropic fever took hold of the chapter as Upsilon actives tutored children, volunteered at hospitals and served in soup kitchens. This change did not discourage the women from participating in campus held philanthropies Upsilon participated in a campus 5K run benefiting the Jane Addams Resource Center, another benefiting the Off-the-Street-Club of Chicago, the women participated in pajama races benefiting Camp Heartland, and Project Pumpkin, a Halloween extravaganza for Evanston youth. The chapter raised $1,000 for the annual all-campus Dance Marathon with the proceeds going to La Rabida Child’s Advocacy Center and the Evanston Community Foundation. The Kappas sponsored three couples who danced for thirty hours.
+
With the exception of few formal meetings, most of our chapter meetings were previously held in the chapter room in the Panhellenic house. However, starting this October, we have been meeting in a class room in the IONA building on campus, as it provides more space for all of the members.
−
A traveling consultant visited the house in the fall and provided useful advice which assisted the women in running the house more smoothly.
 
  
−
Fraternity Education played a large role during the pledge period – with Monday night meetings, quizzes were given and Kappa history was taught to the new members. During the Winter quarter of 1998, the chapter held, Rock-n-Bowl, a date party which became a tradition. A semi-formal date party was held at the Green Dolphin Street.
 
  
−
Upsilon members were busy throughout campus in the following activities: campus radio station, dance marathon, Empower Women Group, student theater, varsity field hockey, soccer club, Panhellenic committees, student blood services, suitcase party, Student Athlete Board, as health aides, a swimming teacher, members of Sheila Center and Le Corde François, serve as French tutors, sailing, research assistant, baseball, softball, and Greek student delegate.
+
==Highlights of 2017==
−
Spring quarter brought May Sing to campus and the Upsilon women were paired with Phi Kappa Sigma. A collaboration was formed to assist with songwriting. A majority of the pledge class attended resulting in a wonderful event everyone was proud of.
 
  
−
The chapter hosted Senior Snacks. Notes were sent out to parents requesting funny anecdotal stories about their daughters which were then read at spring chapter meetings. The Knickerbocker Hotel on Chicago’s lakefront was the location of the spring formal. The women contracted limousines for the drive from Evanston to the hotel. A new tradition began by presenting a senior slide show during the party.
+
In January, the Gamma Upsilon chapter set out to strive towards a year of building a stronger sisterhood through strengthening the bond between sisters, and overall solidifying our community involvement and empowerment. We plan on improving our sisterhood by creating and planning g sisterhood events throughout each month to encourage sister-bonding and active participation within the chapter. We welcomed 2 new members in our January COB, who became a part of the 2016 pledge class. Throughout January-April, the Chapter focused on our sisterhood through attending sisterhood events and ensuring our sisters maintained academic excellence, great presence at Greek events and philanthropies, and good relations and communication with each other in the chapter.  
  
−
The 1998 scholarship program expanded to include a 15-hour study week. Traditions were upheld including the scholarship dinners which saw an increased participation by professors. Many women received awards for their academic performance. Chapter meetings included “word of the week” and a cultural suggestion.
+
For the January-April semester, Gamma Upsilon chapter had the highest academic average of any sorority chapter at UBC this past semester with a 74.48%. At the Panhellenic Spring Awards, our chapter received two individual awards for Top Philanthropy, received by Farrah Bui-Turcotte, who is extremely involved with philanthropies and volunteering; Along with Top Leadership, received by Elise Mance, who maintained a double presidency being president of Kappa and president of the AUS (Arts Undergraduate Society). Two of our sisters were recently initiated into Gamma Sigma Alpha, which is a Greek organization for Greek members with averages of above 76%. We have a sister who was granted a UBC Excellence Scholarship for being within the top 10% in her faculty, undergraduate year, and program. We have sisters who are on the Deans Honour Roll, and who have been granted BC Achievement Scholarship awards, the District Authority Scholarship award, and the Maili Wong Award in Finance, to name a few.  
  
−
During the spring, a House Board Appreciation Tea was hosted for alumnae relations. A new updated Alumnae Directory was compiled and distributed. An Active/Alum mentoring Program was implemented. Among the benefits to the actives was the opportunity to shadow their alum in their careers.
+
Five of our Chapter Council officers were able to attend the Kappa Leadership Conference where they learned skills to implement within our chapter and within council so that the officers are able to be greater leaders, and a newest member of PC16 attended the Kappa Leadership Academy. In September, we welcomed 40 new members into our Chapter, 38 of which were part of Formal Recruitment and 2 of which we welcomed through COB. For Formal Recruitment, we received a 97.5% retention rate after tours, and became the top recruiting sorority of 2017. Our President implemented ‘President’s Key’, which is a member spotlight for two girls who have gone above and beyond in the Chapter and who will be presented with this award at Chapter meeting and will be talked about in a little blurb highlighting the things they are doing for the Chapter, in which they will also receive a little care package. She also implemented ‘Accountabili-KEYS’, which is to maintain commitment and presence at other Greek philanthropies, where girls are in groups of 3, and 1/3 girls must attend and participate in each event.  
  
−
As an added sisterhood event many of the women attended the Jenny Jones Show which was a syndicated daytime tabloid talk show that was hosted by comedian/actress/singer Jenny Jones and taped at the NBC studios in Chicago.  
+
Our Registrar implemented ‘Owl Bet’cha Didn’t Know’, which is a monthly newsletter presented at Chapter meeting, where information taken from the Chapter History Nuggets are translated into a cute newsletter format highlighting certain historical or ongoing events, and also includes fun facts, and a sister shout out. The goal of this newsletter is to maintain awareness of Kappa history in a fun format. Furthermore, our sister Kennedy Gagnon, just recently became the president of UBC sororities, and will lead our community for the upcoming year.
 +
 +
In the spring, a new aquatic centre opened up for students and faculty members of UBC and the community. There has also been ongoing construction as a new bus-loop is being built alongside another new residence for students.  
  
−
During the Spring quarter, a second traveling consultant visited the chapter. Committee nights were held the third week of each month and usual took place during or after chapter.  
+
Overall, the Gamma Upsilon chapter has implemented monthly sisterhood events that have increased both active participation in the chapter, alongside establishing greater closeness among our sisters. We find that recruitment and initiation are always special for members, as these events remind us why we hold Kappa so close to our hearts, and it shows us the unification and the support systems amongst members. This past year, Gamma Upsilon has accomplished our goals and have done so with great pride, and we feel that our Chapter will continue to improve throughout the 2017-2018 year.
−
For the spring philanthropy, Upsilon hosted a 3-on-3 basketball tournament with 200 participants over two days. The chapter raised $4,000 for their efforts for One-Step-at-a-Time, an overnight camp for children with cancer.  
+
  
−
Upsilon was dedicated to improving communications after the chapter president, along with two other chapter officers attended the 1998 national convention, Vision 20/20 held at the princess Resort in Scottsdale, AZ. Inspired by the magic created by convention, the knowledge the girls brought back to their chapter proved invaluable. The leadership techniques would work to make the chapter council more effective. The chapter made the decision to accept the Challenge to Excellence outlining high standards of conduct and maintaining strong Kappa traditions with a commitment to progress.
+
'''Chapter Philanthropy''':
 +
 +
Soup Kitchen at the First Baptist Church (Local), every Tuesday night with Phi Delta Theta.
  
−
Founders Day was held on October 11, 1999 with a bang. The actives were refreshed with their knowledge of Kappa’s founding and learned fun Kappa trivia in preparation for the big night. Many alumnae from the Loop group and North Shore alumnae groups joined the chapter at Northwestern University for the event. The women participated in a candle-lighting ceremony and several women received their Twenty-Five and Fifty-Year anniversary pins. Refreshments were served.
+
Reading Buddies at University Hill Elementary (Local), every Friday afternoon with Beta Theta Pi.  
  
−
Homecoming Brunch was held on October 16 and Parent’s Weekend Brunch was held on October 30.
+
Reading is Fundamental (International)
−
The chapter co-rush chairs spent much of their time working on rookie workshops during New Student Week and Reading Week. They brainstormed ideas for everything from decorations to food to motivational strategies for tired Kappas. The duo made sure everything was in order working on tasks at the house or at Panhellenic rush meetings. Rush resulted in 45 new pledges, three of who were chosen as quota additions making this year a huge success.
 
  
−
The chapter coordinated with Phi Delta and Tri Delta to attend a Chicago Cubs baseball game as a social event. The chapter spring formal was held at Galleria Marchetti in downtown Chicago. During the fall, a costume contest date party with prizes was held at the Hidden Shamrock in Lincoln Park, and the fall formal was held at the Congress Hotel. A formal dinner was held at the Lodge. The year ended with a Holiday Party hosted by the Kappas and open to the campus. During the winter, the chapter held a date party at Rock-N-Bowl and a semi-formal at Narcissi.
+
The Canadian Brest Cancer Foundation (National)
−
For initiation in both the spring and fall, in order to prepare the Kappas for these big events, song practices were held weekly. The chapter marshal printed copies of all the songs and created packs distributing them for each member to practice.
 
  
 +
Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation (International)
  
−
==A New Millennium -- Highlights of 2000 - 2010==
+
 +
Reading is Fundamental is the international organization that all Kappa chapters support, therefore we show support by our weekly local philanthropy at Reading Buddies. We also choose to support the First Baptist Church weekly because it enables members to get out weekly to give back to our community. Our Chapter supports the Canadian Brest Cancer Foundation (CBBF) because as a large group of women, we have all been or known somebody who has been affected by breast cancer, and cancer in general. We choose to support this organization because the money we raised goes towards finding a cure, and supports and brings awareness to each woman affected by breast cancer in their courageous battles in fighting cancer.
 +
 +
Most of chapter meetings are held within our Chapter room, as it was renovated and painted throughout the summer. We find that our Chapter room provides us with enough room and enables us to maintain focus throughout our meetings. We also tend to hold sisterhood events immediately after Chapter meetings every couple of weeks, so it is easy for girls to participate and attend these events as they are in our Chapter room. There are certain occasions we hold our meetings in classrooms across campus, and this is generally for Formal Meetings as this allows more space to perform ritual.
  
−
In 2000, the Upsilon women hired Empire Photography to photograph their social parties and activities. Fraternal Composite Service was hired to photograph each girl for the house composite.
+
    
  
−
During the winter, a Heritage Workshop was held for the chapter titled Kappa Jeopardy after the long-popular television quiz show to get the Kappas involved and to learn about Kappa history.
+
==Highlights of 2018s:==
−
The chapter participated in the Northwestern student-based philanthropy which raised more than $500,000. This campus Dance Marathon benefitted Gilda’s Club, Chicago. Gilda’s Club provided cancer victims and their families with extra funds, housing and support. As a house, Upsilon raised nearly $7,000 for the Club through fundraising and canning efforts. After a moving chapter presentation organized by the house philanthropy chair, 15 Kappas canned (a form of fundraising), and then met to tour Gilda’s Club to meet some of the cancer victims benefiting from the fundraiser. The chair wrote home to the parents of Kappas requesting donations and followed up with personal thank you notes. The chair also created quilt squares commemorating Kappa Beth Pancoe, who passed away during the year from cancer. The quilt was put together by many sororities and fraternities and donated to Gilda’s Club. During the Dance Marathon, 10 Kappas were dancers and some served on the dance marathon committee.
 
  
−
Blood drives were organized in February and March with great participation by chapter members.
+
This year the chapter has seen growth in our sisterhood, increased engagement in our philanthropy events, and has initiated an incredible new member class.  In January 2018 we successfully transitioned a brand new chapter council. Our VPOrganization arranged our Leadership Consultant visit who was able to further aid in transitions. The 2018 Chapter Council is responsible for implementing the Owl, Keys, and Fleur-de-lis groups to increase accountability for internal and external philanthropic events. The Academic Council maintained communication with members to ensure they were meeting their academic goals that our VPAcademic Excellence had encouraged us to set for ourselves. The standards committee worked closely with VPStandards to organize and host a variety of sisterhood events that we put on throughout the year.  Some members belong to the Gamma Sigma Alpha  fraternity which is a Greek organization that celebrates scholarly achievement by taking members with an academic average above 76%.  Many of the women in our chapter hold volunteer positions on campus with organizations like Best Buddies and are also involved with the Alma Mater Society of UBC and other academic pursuits.  During our January - April semester we were able to celebrate our senior members with a Panhellenic Senior Send Off and our Sapphire Ball was organized by our Events Chair  a beautiful formal event for us. Our PR Chair did an incredible job in highlighting our chapter values on social media by focusing on our sisterhood, self love, and mental health awareness.
−
A total of 1,893 freshmen from an applicant pool of 14,723 students enrolled in the Fall of 2000. Eighty-three percent graduated in the top 10 percent of their class. The Panhellenic Association at Northwestern University is one of the first Panhellenic in the country to pass a resolution stating that its member chapters will not co-sponsor or participate in on-campus events involving alcohol in fraternity houses. The resolution went into effect in the Fall. The Greek community receives nationwide media coverage for the resolution.
 
  
−
In 2000, Northwestern University hosted the Big Ten Greek Leadership Conference at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield. It is the first time in many years that the event has been held. NU, along with many other Big Ten schools opt to not attend the annual Mid-American Greek Council Association Conference, also held in Chicago, because it is too large and doesn't meet the needs of  Greek organization officers.
+
During the summer our Recruitment Chair started work on creating a strong recruitment. Due to the hard work she and her committee put in we welcomed 30 beautiful new members in September. Our President attended the Leadership Conference in June where she shared leadership skills, ideas, and stories to strengthen our sisterhood.  Our Philanthropy assistant attended the Kappa Leadership Academy.
  
−
In 2005-2006, Northwestern University was comprised of 8,000 undergraduate students. Northwestern has 12 sororities and 17 fraternities.  Approximately 33% of the student body is active in Greek life.
+
Our Risk Chairman along with our Education Chairman organized many education meetings for us that pertained to mental and physical health as well as self care.  Our Marshal arranged a lovely initiation for everyone in November and saw 30 women initiated into Kappa Kappa Gamma.
  
−
The chapter went over an action plan, during which goals were discussed for the next year and how to accomplish them. Some goals were to have better committee and philanthropy involvement. In addition, the budget was given special attention because the chapter was unfamiliar with it. Due to the lack of committee involvement committees were reselected, and committee chairs had been reelected. This encouraged very active participation on all committees. The chairs delegated responsibility to members in the committee, and they structured goals and plans for their respective committee. In addition Philanthropy Chair was elected who led events, such as raising money for Pediatric AIDS by selling Krispy Kreme Donuts.  
+
We have continued the tradition of supporting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation through our bake sale event Desserts for a Cure where the proceeds all go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. Our Philanthropy Chair also attended our weekly philanthropic events such as our Tuesday night Soup Kitchen with Phi Delta Theta and Reading Buddies on Friday afternoons with Beta Theta Pi.  These volunteer events give our women a chance to give back to the community that fits with their schedules.  Our chapter showed support for Reading is Fundamental through a book drive and barbecue called Kappa Kookout and through our continued involvement in Reading Buddies.  Our chapter takes great pride in helping the communities of the Vancouver area.
  
−
Epsilon experienced a very successful Recruitment. The chapter held a Founder's Day celebration and ceremony during which three alumni received their Fifty-Year pins. Members from the nearby alumni group were invited to attend. During the fall, a group of alumni dedicated a globe to the chapter in memory of a Kappa sister who passed away the previous year. The women hosted a ceremony to commemorate this event.
+
Our chapter room is where we host our meetings, along with an occasional meeting in the Woodward Building on campus to hold elections and educational meetings. Our chapter room was renovated in the summer to update the decor. Our chapter room is one of 8 rooms within the Panhellenic House building that hosts all of the UBC sorority chapters.
  
−
Upsilon chapter had one visit from a Leadership Consultants and looked forward to another visit in the spring. The chapter planned three very successful sisterhood events. These included a Kappa Kolor War, where the members were divided into teams and played games. The chapter arranged for a yoga instructor to come to the chapter and lead the women in yoga exercises. They also organized S'mores Night for the members to watch movies, make s'mores, and decorate "stars" (profiles about each member in the house) for Recruitment.
 
  
−
The chapter increased participation in campus Panhellenic philanthropy. The new members were not as familiar with Kappa ritual as they hoped to be, resulting in kappa Klassrooms to cover very specific ritual, formal chapter procedures and history.  Northwestern University in 2006-2007 was comprised of approximately 7,750 undergraduate students.  Northwestern is consistently one of the nation's top 15 Universities in the United States with 11 sororities and 17 fraternities.  35% of the student body is active in Greek life. 
 
−
    
 
−
Upsilon had 120 members with 54 living in the Kappa house. The chapter members hail from all over the world, including Turkey, Jordan, England, and Israel. The chapter’s primary goals included improved chapter committee and philanthropy involvement. To achieve these goals, the women expanded committee roles, and committee heads were expected to delegate leadership and responsibility. The chapter elected new chapter officers and conducted a team consultation with Kellogg students to improve chapter officer interaction, make meetings more efficient and improve the way the chapter set its goals.  The expansion of the old and new officers’ transition period allowed the new officers to be better trained and equipped to fulfill their new roles.
 
  
−
Upsilon had a very successful Recruitment with amazing Kappa spirit kept strong by prizes, fun costumes for rush groups during Member Selection and a hilarious rendition of their annual "Kappa Grease" skit. A Founder's Day celebration and ceremony were held during which several alumni received their anniversary pins. Members from the nearby alumni group were invited to attend. Upsilon chapter had one visit from a Leadership Consultants in the fall.
 
  
−
The women held a number of very successful sisterhood events including a Kappa Kolor War in the spring, dividing into teams to play games. Another spring event was Oscar night, where all the sisters came to the chapter to watch the Academy Awards together and enjoy tasty treats. During Halloween the chapter members visited a haunted prison.  For recruitment, a “star” making event as held where each member created a personal profile star filled with photos to decorate the house.  The chapter increased participation in Panhellenic campus philanthropy.
 
  
−
Two long-standing NU traditions were still a major part of campus life in 2007 during football games at Northwestern: everyone in the student section shakes their keys immediately before kickoffs. Some say that Northwestern students started doing this as a way to inform opposing fans that they were going to be pumping their gas or parking their cars someday. The other is The Claw. When the visiting team is on offense, it is traditional for NU students to make a claw with one of their hands and yell.
 
  
−
In 2008, the University opened a campus in Education City, Doha, Qatar with programs in journalism and communication. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life hires an additional staff member to give specific attention to the culturally-based organizations.
 
−
Northwestern begins GreekBuild, an effort among all four Greek councils to fund raise for and build a Habitat for Humanity house. Members of the Northwestern Greek community work together to break down negative stereotypes about Greek life and service their community by going to the build site on Saturdays, interacting with the family for whom the house is being built and participating in fun fundraising events on and off campus.
 
  
−
Fraternity and Sorority Life at Northwestern University in 2009 celebrated its 150 years on campus. The tradition of Dillo Day continues as the culmination of Mayfest with an all-day Saturday event on the lakefront featuring national and locally known bands, games and vendors. Each year, the IFC and Panhellenic community sponsor a free pancake breakfast on the morning of Dillo Day in the courtyard in front of Kellogg and free pizza during the afternoon on the Lakefill.
 
  
−
The women of Upsilon enjoyed playing waitresses and hostesses as they served Kappasta dinner to others. Kappasta raised more than $2,000 in proceeds to benefit Project Kindle and the Evanston Community Foundation, the two beneficiaries of the all-campus Dance Marathon 2009.
 
  
−
Undergraduate tuition at Northwestern for the 2010-2011 school year was $39,840. The University processed in excess of $472 million in financial aid for the 2009-2010 academic year. This included $265 million in institutional funds, with the remainder coming from federal and state governments and private organizations and individuals. Northwestern scholarship programs for undergraduate students support needy students from a variety of income and backgrounds. Approximately 44 percent of the June 2010 graduates had received federal and/or private loans for their undergraduate education, graduating with an average debt of $17,200.
 
  
−
During 2010, Upsilon had many highlights. Together with the brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha the chapter raised the second largest amount of money at Dance Marathon 2010, Northwestern’s biggest philanthropy. The money was donated to the Evanston Community Foundation and Stand Up for Kids, an organization that helps homeless and at risk youth. This success was partially due to a very successful Kappasta, a relatively new philanthropy event where the chapter invite members of the Northwestern community into Kappa Kitchen for some spaghetti, meatballs and socializing. Last spring the women started a new philanthropic tradition with the addition of Jail and Bail benefitting RIF. The Kappas teamed up with a fraternity on campus and members volunteered to be “arrested.” They were then held for an hour in a high traffic location on campus where passersby could donate and “bail” them out.
 
  
−
The chapter is a great mix of motivated and talented women who are very involved around campus. Many hold leadership positions in everything from philanthropic organizations like Dance Marathon and Special Olympics to groups that plan major social and entertainment events like Dillo Day and Ski Trip. On any given day there are numerous women lounging around the house doing homework, watching The Bachelor, a popular reality television series, or detailing their weekend adventures.
 
  
−
During the year the chapter moved elections to the end of fall quarter from the beginning of winter quarter to alleviate some of the stress after Formal Recruitment in the winter. However, transitions were still held in the winter so that women who were abroad during the fall semester would still be eligible for positions. This worked well for the girls and they plan to keep this system for the future.
 
  
−
The tradition of the composite picture style of individuality reflected in pose and clothing has not changed in the past few decades and will hopefully always be special to the chapter. It has been important for Upsilon chapter to be a chapter of individual women who come together to grow and learn from all of the unique characteristics each member brings by forming lifelong friendships.
 
  
−
In 2010, a number of construction projects were completed on the Northwestern University campus including the completion of Harris, the history building, which was a relief for history majors who had been displaced due to the construction. The Evanston Brothel Law has been of major concern for upperclassmen moving off campus. Northwestern students expressed their concerns to Evanston officials who ultimately decided not to enforce the law, saving many rising juniors and seniors from another off campus headache.
 
  
−
Kappas of the Upsilon Chapter are more than just involved in campus life and activities at Northwestern University - they continue to be immersed in it.  From athletics, academics, leadership, campus and city cultural events, to the arts and music, Kappas are prevalent in every facet of Northwestern life.  Kappas can be found in Tech, in the library, out in the communities of Evanston and Chicago, dancing on stage, giving flute recitals, and on the masthead of many campus publications.  And when one Kappa is up on stage, or speaking from a podium, chances are there are more Kappas than not in the audience cheering her on.  But Kappas don't just stay within the Chicago boundaries.  You can find Upsilon Kappas around the world, spanning from Argentina to Australia, India to Italy, and Fargo, North Dakota to New York.  And the networks they have built on-campus translate across the globe.
 
  
−
Academically, in the past year, Upsilon chapter moved up three spots across all sorority GPA rankings. 15 women had 4.0 quarters in the past three academic quarters. Academic Honors include: Order of Omega; Gamma Sigma Alpha; Dean's List Awards.  Sports include: Sailing, Volleyball and Fencing.  Campus Publications include: Stitch, Northwestern Art Review (NAR), The Weekly, North by Northwestern (NbN), Massive.tv.  Arts: A&O Productions, Midsummer's Night Dream, Northwestern Community Jazz Program
 
  
 +
From chapter’s History Report: Scholarship, group honors/awards, traditions, special events, changes on campus or within chapter, overall nature of the chapter, chapter goals, challenges and how they were overcome, etc.:
  
  
−
==Highlights of 2011-2019==
+
'''Housing:'''
  
−
==Highlights of 2011==
 
  
−
In academic year 2010-11, Northwestern enrolled 8,397 undergraduate and 7,870 graduate and professional students. Northwestern is a founding member of the Big Ten Conference and remains the only private university in the conference. Northwestern's approximately 225,093 alumni include leaders in government, law, science, education, medicine, media and the performing arts. The Northwestern Greek Community was recognized nationally for having a higher All-Greek GPA than the All-Campus GPA.
 
  
−
Kappas were represented on the Panhellenic Council, with one in charge of public relations for the committee. The Panhellenic Association hosted a successful formal winter recruitment, with 420 women matching with 12 chapters.
+
'''Philanthropy:'''
  
−
Many students were involved in community service in one form or another. Annual events include Dance Marathon, a thirty-hour event that raised more than a million dollars for charity in 2011.
 
−
The women of Upsilon celebrated achieving the highest GPA out of all the sororities on the Northwestern campus.
 
  
−
New member rituals were changed in order to strengthen the bonds of sisterhood. 2011 saw Upsilon provide the highest attendance at a GreekBuild event. By working together on service projects, GreekBuild participants broke down the barriers among individual chapters. One of the goals of GreekBuild events, build days and fundraising efforts was to bring together members of different chapters and councils.
 
  
−
As of December, 2011, the Barta sisters, Lexi (‘07), Romi (’10) and Marni (’13), all of Upsilon, along with a fourth sister, a student at the University of Pennsylvania donated more than 60,000 movies to more than 600 different hospitals throughout the United States and South Africa through their nonprofit organization, Kid Flicks. Their goal was to provide every children’s hospital in the country with a Kid Flicks movie library.
+
'''Chapter Convention Awards:'''
  
  
−
==Highlights of 2014==
+
==Highlights of 2023s:==
  
−
In 2014 our chapter accomplished a great amount.  Our officers worked incredibly hard to  better organize the entire management of the chapter and took on the responsibility of redefining the culture within our chapter.  All bylaws were updated and chapter council gained an entire advisory board to work with following our April meeting with the Fraternity. The chapter also focused a lot of energy on Northwestern's largest philanthropic even, Dance Marathon (DM).  Individuals worked hard to raise enough money to participate, and the chapter also worked together to create a successful event, Kappasta.  The event was incredibly fun and was a great way to promote new member bonding. The money raised at Kappasta was put towards our general Kappa DM fund and we ended up raising $90,000 and winning second place for large Greek teams for the fourth year in a row.  Upsilon also connected to the Evanston community by volunteering at the YMCA and reading to children.  We look forward to continuing our relationship with the YMCA and volunteering there again.  Sisterhood events were another great highlight of the year.  The chapter had a sisterhood event every month and we enjoyed various activities such as pumpkin carving, tie dying, kappa notebook decorating, and pledge family photos.  Our chapter also received the awards Highest Quarterly GPA and most improved quarterly GPA in fall 2013 from the Order of Omega.
+
Throughout the year, our chapter has experienced remarkable participation in both sisterhood and greek-life events. Our events chair has devoted significant effort to create exceptional bonding activities, including a memorable chapter-wide Canucks hockey game night. Additionally, our Director of Academic Excellence has been instrumental in fostering support and cohesion among our sisters through bi-weekly study rooms.
  
−
Upsilon chapter is a caring and involved group of young women.  Members are very active on campus and this keeps us informed and active with any recent changes occurring on campus.  Members also keep up with changes in Kappa Kappa Gamma and its members as well as other members in the Greek community.  For example, our chapter ended a traditional philanthropy event called Jail N Bail this year because other members of the community as well as our own members believed that the event could be perceived negatively by people with sensitive beliefs about the issue of incarceration in America.  Our women worked hard to come up with other ideas for philanthropy events that would be less controversial or offensive at a time when our campus is becoming more diverse and when people are striving to be as sensitive as possible towards all cultures.  We have embraced this incident as an opportunity to educate ourselves and the larger Northwestern Greek and non-Greek community on the different between intent and impact.  
+
In February, our President, Vice-President Membership, and Vice-President External Affairs attended the Kappa Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas. During the conference, our members had the opportunity to learn more about Kappa’s history and connect with sisters from all over the world.
  
−
We hold meetings in a university owned Kappa house on campus. Our chapter has been at NU in the same facility for 122 years. We are incredibly lucky that our house is large enough to hold an entire sophomore pledge class as well as many juniors each year.  Our house is university owned and 60 woman are able to live in the house at once.
+
We are thrilled to have reintroduced Kamp Kappa, our spring philanthropy event in support of Jack.org (mental health initiatives) and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. In November of last year, we proudly raised $2913 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation through Deserts for a Cure.
 +
Our chapter has recently launched ‘Kappa Talks,’ a program inspired by Ted Talks. This initiative aims to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within our sisterhood by encouraging girls to share topics that they are passionate about.
  
−
The president wears a historical badge that has been handed down to each Upsilon president.
+
Our members are leaders in various clubs on campus, including The Women’s Network, Campus Canines, UBC Pre-Law Association, The Calendar, and the AMS, among others. We have introduced Kappa Kash, a unique way to recognize and celebrate the involvement of our members in our chapter. We continue to recognize achievement through the Smart Cookies Program, KKGreat News and the No-“Skippy” Jar on a weekly basis.  
  
 +
Our Public Relations Chair has demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment to promoting our chapter on social media. As a result, we have amassed a following of over 3,500 on Instagram and received over 200,000 views on Tik Tok.
  
−
==Highlights of 2015==
+
In January, we welcomed eight exceptional new members into our chapter through our Spring COB. Last fall, we welcomed 25 beautiful new members.
 +
We regularly hold meetings at the Woodward Building on campus, with the exception of Formal Meetings and New Member Meetings, which are held in the Chapter Room. Our gorgeous chapter room recently had a kitchen renovation and ceiling reconstruction.
  
−
In 2015, our chapter accomplished a great amount. Our chapter council officers worked hard to continue what we started in 2014 to better organize the entire management of the chapter and to redefine the culture within our chapter. All officers worked with their advisors as well as LCs to brainstorm and devise more successful strategies to accomplish the duties of their positions and to encourage involvement and cooperation in all chapter members. We even participated in our first retreat where chapter council members met with advisors and members of the Fraternity to re-strategize for the upcoming school year. We also worked hard to better our sisterhood. We started “senior of the week” presentations at each chapter meeting so that the underclassmen could really get to know the senior pledge class. We also implemented coffee dates where underclassmen get coffee with upperclassmen who share similar interests. This was helpful both socially and academically because underclassmen could seek upperclassmen with the same majors or job interests and get their advice.
 
  
−
In 2015, the chapter focused a lot of energy on Northwestern’s largest philanthropic event, Dance Marathon (DM). Individuals worked hard to raise enough money to participate (at least $400), and the chapter also worked together to create a successful event, Kappasta. The event was successful, fun, and a great way to promote new member bonding. The money raised at Kappasta was put towards our general Kappa DM fund and we ended up raising $68,000 and winning second place for large Greek teams for the fifth year in a row. Upsilon was also able to connect to the Evanston community towards the end of 2015 and continue our relationship with the YMCA. Sisters volunteered by reading to children and donating children’s books to the YMCA. This was a fun and rewarding experience for the chapter. Sisterhood events were another highlight of the year. The chapter held a sisterhood event every month and we enjoyed various activities such as pumpkin carving with Pi Beta Phi, tie dying, movie night, and KKTea party.
+
'''Philanthropy:'''
−
 
−
The campus at Northwestern University has undergone changes over the past year. One history building on campus, called “The Black House,” was established years ago to provide a safe, comfortable space for black students to visit during their time at Northwestern. Northwestern administration wanted to bring the Campus Inclusion and Community offices into the Black House. This was met with great uproar, as students and alumni expressed deep concerns about encroaching on the Black House. Most recently, the University announced that they would not make these changes because of the aforementioned issues. There have also been several historic campus protests in relation to the events that occurred at the University of Missouri earlier this year. The nature of our chapter is very much focused on diversity and inclusion, and we have several members who have participated and supported activism on campus. Each member of Upsilon is very different than the other members of our house, and we greatly appreciate having friends and sisters of various backgrounds, cultures and personal histories.
 
−
 
−
Chapter Philanthropy:
 
  
−
What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community? Reading is Fundamental and the YMCA
+
Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation (International)
  
−
Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?
+
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (National)  
  
−
Reading is Fundamental is the Fraternity’s official beneficiary, and we all greatly appreciate the importance of literacy and furthering education in our community. The Evanston “Y” has provided an excellent venue for our continued support of literacy and working with children in our community.
+
Jack.org (National)
  
−
==Highlights of 2020s==
+
Reading Buddies at University Hill Elementary (Local), every Friday afternoon.
  
  
 +
-----------
  
 +
'''Note to Chapter Registrar:'''
 +
Please refer to your chapter archives including chapter meeting minutes and back issues of ''The Key'' to fill in any gaps in the above historical highlights. If your chapter archives are not complete, please research your university library, campus newspaper and yearbook archives for newsworthy information about your chapter. Please double check your work for accuracy. Contact chapter Advisory or House Board members, local Alumnae Association members, or your Province Director of Chapters for assistance.
  
−
---------------
+
Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoy!
−
'''Note to Chapter Registrar:'''  Please refer to your chapter archives including chapter meeting minutes and back issues of ''The Key'' to fill in any gaps in the above historical highlights. If your chapter archives are not complete, please research your university library, campus newspaper and yearbook archives for newsworthy information about your chapter. Please double check your work for accuracy. Contact chapter Advisory or House Board members, local Alumnae Association members, or your Province Director of Chapters for assistance. Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoy!
 

Revision as of 05:19, 6 March 2023

 

Gamma Upsilon
ΓY
Gamma Upsilon.jpeg
FoundedMay 11, 1929 (1929-05-11) (96 years ago)
CollegeUniversity of British Columbia
LocationVancouver, BC
HomepageGamma Upsilon Homepage
Media related to Gamma Upsilon Chapter


University of British Columbia established in 1912, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada


Gamma Upsilon founded May 11, 1929 – 15 charter members


1,378 initiates (as of June 2018)


Charter Members:

Doris Isabel Crompton, Isobel Gertrude Douglass, Jean Margaret Dowler, Hilary Rowena Bainbridge Helliwell, Elizabeth Deinstadt Killam, Cecilia Millicent Maria Agnes Garesche Lauder, Mary Kathleen Lyle Mathers, Louise Dorothy McDonald, Dorothy Craig McKay, Katherine Hay Farris Robson, Kathleen Purvis Solloway, Helen Margaret C. Sutherland, Mary Hamilton Watts, Alice Margaret Geddes White.


Fraternity Council Members:


Gillian Marshall, Laura Seyler, Mia Flett, Julia Rastad, Trishana Tuyet-Pham, Rachel Beck, Yaz Tremblay, Madelaine Hargrave.


Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:


Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:

Dorothy Taylor, 1954, journalist, author; (Katherine ) Avis Pumphrey, 1964, Social Service pioneer



The Early Years

“We, at the University of British Columbia, are proud and happy to be part of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity. We are not so well known as some of the American chapters, but we have been going strong since 1929.” So writes the research historian for Gamma Upsilon Chapter.

The University of British Columbia opened in September, 1915, “cradled in wartime,” with few buildings and very little equipment. The relationship of the faculty and students contributed in no small measure to the development of the university on the edge of the Empire in Vancouver, Canada. The faculty helped formulate student policies and stood loyally by student government through all its vicissitudes.

The part which seven women students had in the evolution of student government led, through this by-path, to the founding of Delta Phi, a local sorority, in the spring of 1919. Its purpose was “to bind together in friendship, a group of graduates and undergraduates of the university in a closer way than may be accomplished in the alumni association.”

The year following the founding of Delta Phi two more sororities appeared on the campus. Two years later, at the call of the Delta Phi president, representatives of the three sororities organized the Inter-Sorority Board. This step led to official recognition of sororities by Student Council, and later by the University Senate. From that time on more groups appeared and became increasingly interested in linking themselves with international fraternities and sororities. A summary of Delta Phi meetings for a number of years might have been, “To be or not to be, that is the question.”

The year 1925 was an important one in the history of the university. It was then that the big switch-over was made to the permanent site at Point Grey.

Delta Phi became Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma May 11, 1929, after the long debate over the question of affiliation ended. The chapter was installed by Georgia Hayden Lloyd-Jones, Wisconsin, and Beta Pi Chapter, University of Washington. Actives and alumnae were initiated together in an impressive ceremony.

Gamma Upsilon, following the tradition established by the local sorority, continued to take a leading role in university life, as well as carrying on projects away from the campus.


World War II Years

During World War II, the girls took part in money-raising events for the Canadian Red Cross. Mary Frances Trumbull (Tuck), Panhellenic president, was “convenor” or chairman of the 1945 Red Cross Ball, which netted $4,000. Members of Gamma Upsilon made up 20 percent of the university’s Red Cross Corps. They also paid regular visits to military hospitals and provided Christmas gifts and music for pensioners in an old people’s home.

One of these wartime members was Audrey Reifel, who demonstrated outstanding leadership and gave unselfishly to Gamma Upsilon until her sudden death. In 1950, the chapter established the Reifel Award, to be presented to an active making outstanding contributions to the well-being of the chapter. The Reifel family generously donated to the chapter three paintings by two of Canada’s foremost artists, in memory of their daughter.

The Kappas have always been involved in many activities. Two members were championship tennis players in the 1930s. Another received one of the most prestigious University of British Columbia athletic awards for two consecutive years.

Although a woman becoming a minister is not unusual today, the chapter is especially proud of a member who was one of the best known ministers in Vancouver. She brought up three children before she entered this profession.

Katherine Avis Pumphrey, a social worker, received the 1964 Kappa Alumnae Achievement Award, and a 50-year pin.


Housing

Until 1952, except for a brief period in the late 1920s when an unsuccessful attempt was made to maintain a house, the Kappas on the University of British Columbia campus had been meeting in private homes. In that year, a cooperative effort on the part of nine sororities and their alumnae built a Panhellenic House which continues today as the campus center for the women’s fraternities.

Among the most popular campus activities are Mardi Gras and Songfest. Mardi Gras formerly combined carnival, pep meets and raffle. It generated wide excitement and involvement. Ending three gala days was a costume ball with a floor show. Today Mardi Gras is a campus game night, and all proceeds, up to $10,000 a year, are given to charity. Songfest seems to grow every year, with sororities and fraternities competing in song and dance for the prized Songfest Cup. Although Kappas have not been successful in winning this cup, we have great fun presenting our show.

Recruitment was hosted for the first time in the brand new Panhellenic House, a project for Panhellenic and the Vancouver Alumnae Association. Alumnae donated both their time and funds towards the construction of the facility. Located on campus, Panhellenic House is home to 64 women students in “quads” located on the top three floors. Gamma Upsilon occupies an entire quad, known as Kappa Quad. The facility is shared with group, including Kappa Alpha Theta and Gamma Phi Beta. Panhellenic House has eight chapter rooms, and Kappa was assigned one of the largest ones at the front of the building. Loyal alumnae raised funds to provide the Kappa chapter room with tasteful interior decoration, and the chapter was pleased to have a place to finally call “home.”

The previous information was excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, 1870-1976. The information that follows has been gleaned from available resources including Chapter History Reports, chapter meeting minutes, letters and comments from chapter members and alumnae, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Archives, and The Key. Each chapter is expected to update its history record annually. Contact Fraternity Headquarters at kkghq@kkg.org with questions.


Highlights of the 1980s-1990s

From 1985 to 1995, UBC was ranked as one of the top 50 universities in the world. This brought increased enrollment and expansion to the campus. UBC purchased Pacific Spirit Park during the expansion phase as part of the UBC Endowment Lands. Due to the increase in the university, Gamma Upsilon was also able to expand. The downside to expansion was the crowding of the Panhellenic House (built in 1958). In an effort to find a solution, Kappa’s actively helped in the planning of the Forever Friends Campaign in 1994. This campaign helped to raise more than $4,000,000 to put towards a new Panhellenic House to help overcome the constraints of limited space.

In 1985, Dr. David W. Strangway was named University President. Computerized telephone registration was introduced in 1988. This new registration method put an end to students having to physically walk across campus from department to department to register for classes.

UBC celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1990 with a series of special events, which included the largest open house in the university’s history. U.S. President, Bill Clinton visited UBC in 1993 which drew publicity to the campus and Professor Michael Smith received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering work in the development of “site directed mutagenesis”.



Highlights of 2000-2010

One of the chapter’s greatest challenges was welcoming large classes of new members into the chapter. With so many new members coming, it was necessary to assure that everyone was given the opportunity to get to know each other well. This challenge was met by holding many sisterhood events, such as spa nights and picture frame decorating. This way, new members and active members alike were able to bond and feel comfortable with their new sisters.

Another challenge was getting everyone involved. The way that the chapter overcame this challenge was to introduce “Kappa Kore Groups.” Each member of the chapter was assigned to one of the Kore Groups, and each group was assigned to another fraternity and sorority in the Greek system. Members were expected to attend the events of their respective fraternities and sororities, and were given extra Kore Group points for attending events outside of their assigned group. This was a fun way to get everyone involved, and to stir up a little competition!

Throughout this decade, UBC continued to be an active campus. Focus remained on promoting a sustainable lifestyle on and off campus. Excitement for the Winter Olympic Games in 2010 was apparent on campus. Movies and television shows were filmed around the campus. Throughout the years, the chapter also participated in numerous league sports and other sporting events, including Storm the Wall, winning Water Wars, and coming in third in Day of the Longboat.

Gamma Upsilon also continued its tradition of Reading Buddies with a third grade class at University Hill Elementary school every Friday and won a number of awards from Panhellenic including third place Philanthropy Award, third place Sports Award, and third place Top All Around Sorority. Six members were also recognized for achieving outstanding academic averages and five were recognized for achieving an outstanding number of sports points. Charlotte Paterson was honored with winning the Panhellenic Top Individual Athlete Award and Magee Walker won the Panhellenic All-Around Woman Award.

The members participated in a number of other Greek events during Greek Week and held its annual Sapphire Ball at the Four Seasons Resort and Spa in Whistler, BC. Gamma Upsilon also held an annual Parent/Alumni Tea. During the summer, members stayed in contact with each other and some attended a "Kamp Kappa" camping trip near a lake in B.C. Several members also attended Kappa Convention, where the chapter received recognition with Honorable Mentions in New Member Program, Recruitment, and Chapter Management.

The school year begins annually with a chapter recruitment retreat in August, leading up to successful recruitment result. New members were presented at the Pride of Panhellenic luncheon. Bid Day celebration was themed the "Miss Kappa Pageant" during which each Key Sister was revealed by the "judges". Gamma Upsilon celebrated the founding of Kappa with events featuring many of its own alumnae. The social committee organized a great Date Dash surprise event prior to Inspiration Week and Initiation, at which the Leadership Consultant assisted. The chapter conducted its annual Kappa Book Drive and celebrated the chapter’s 80th birthday with a special event. The chapter also participated in and won Order of Omega's Songfest competition with a selection from Across the Universe and enjoyed an "Ugly Christmas Sweater" themed meeting during the holidays.

Gamma Upsilon held its first Kite and Key semi-formal dance in conjunction with Kappa Alpha Theta at the Vancouver Aquarium, where everyone enjoyed dancing with the belugas and admiring the sea lions. The chapter proved to be outstanding in athletics, finishing off the term in second place in the all-sorority division. Its basketball team came in first in the league. Other highlights included victory in the Great Trek, involvement in a number of UBC Legacy Game events such as broomball, day of the long boat, winter fest, and more. Members also excelled in academics, with many members receiving GPA scores well above the all-sorority averages.

The chapter consistently placed well in the Panhellenic Awards for scholarship, encouraged because of a Kappa Mentor program pairing older girls with newer members in the same field of study and with the Smart Cookie Program and The No-"Skippy" Jar.


Philanthropy:

Gamma Upsilon annually raised more than $2,000 annually during its philanthropy week. Proceeds went to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Events included Gamma Upsilon’s annual Desserts for a Cure, an all-you-can-eat dessert buffet with a minimum $5 donation. During the week, the chapter sold pink ribbons, had a pink raffle (with donated prizes from sponsors such as Starbucks) and had a 50/50 raffle during Desserts for a Cure.

Other chapter philanthropic activities included helping at a soup kitchen downtown weekly and volunteering weekly as reading buddies with children at an elementary school. At the end of March, the chapter hosted a Greek vs. Greek event where the chapter pairs up with other sororities and fraternities to play a week-and-a-half-long game of tag.

The philanthropy chairmen did a great job organizing events, and encouraging girls to participate in other philanthropy events throughout the Greek system. Some events that Gamma Upsilon participated in included Run for the Cure, Halloween for Hunger, and weekly visits to the Soup Kitchen and Reading Buddies at U-Hill Elementary School. Philanthropy week is always a success, with much money raised through ribbon sales and the renowned Desserts for the Cure. The enthusiasm for philanthropy was recognized throughout the Greek system, as Kappas were the winners of fraternity Sigma Chi’s annual “Derby Days” and sorority Alpha Phi’s “Alphatraz” philanthropy events. As a result of their hard work, the members of Gamma Upsilon placed third in the Ann McMutcheon Memorial Philanthropy Cup.


Chapter Convention Awards:

2010 Convention, Gamma Upsilon received Honorable Mention Awards for its New Member Program, Recruitment, and Chapter Management.


Highlights of 2011

Gamma Upsilon had a great 2011. Sisterhood blossomed during Recruitment through the forming and strengthening of new and unexpected friendships. Founders Day this year the chapter decided to try something new and hosted a brunch. It was a wonderful morning of interaction between alumna members, actives and new members.

The University introduced a new grading system in 2011 which allowed students to take classes outside their major on a pass/fail format.

The annual philanthropy Desserts for a Cure was a huge success in 2011 with the highest attendance in the chapter history.

Highlights of 2012

The year 2012 has been a successful and memorable year for the Gamma Upsilon chapter at UBC. We were delighted to receive multiple awards at Convention, such as runner up for our excellence in Standards; runner up for the Philanthropy Award, runner up for Reading is Fundamental, as well as receiving the Legacy Award.

Our Philanthropy Week was a great success thanks to the hard work and commitment of the women in our chapter. Our annual Desserts-For-A-Cure was extremely popular, featuring all-you-can-eat desserts for a $5 donation to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. In addition, we raised money by selling candy and flower grams which were distributed in time for Valentine's Day. It was wonderful to experience such support from fellow Greek members and it allowed to raise around $1,500 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. On a weekly basis Gamma Upsilon members volunteer at First Baptist Church, where we participate in soup kitchen. In addition, we work with the local elementary school and have created the reading buddy program, where we assist young children with their literacy development.

Within the chapter, our Standards Committee encourages spirit and morale whilst educating the chapter on Kappa values. The committee always maintains high excellence, which was recognized at Convention. We achieved our recruitment goals this year, initiating 29 New Members, many of whom now hold positions on Chapter Council and are showing exceptional involvement in the chapter. This years Founders Day was a fantastic event that displayed Kappa's passion and interest in learning more about our history and maintaining ties with the Vancouver Alumni. We experienced great support from many older alumni as they shared their experiences and stories to inspire the active members of Kappa.

One challenge that we faced this past year was the vandalism of our Chapter Room. It took tremendous teamwork and cooperation to put the room back together in a timely and cost efficient manner. Alumni and active members were extremely generous in donating time and effort to restore the chapter and create an even more beautiful space. While this was an unfortunate incident, it highlighted the commitment we have to the chapter and each other.

One of our main goals has been to increase the use of social media to promote Kappa on campus. Our PR chairman has been actively using Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to highlight the involvement of Kappa within the Greek and UBC community. Overall, 2012 was a positive year for Gamma Upsilon as we continued to grow and improve our chapter in all areas.

One of the largest changes happening on the UBC campus is the construction of our new Student Union Building, due to be completed in 2014. It is intended to be a gathering place where students can interact in order to expand and strengthen our student community. The project is an estimated 103 million dollars and is aiming to receive LEED platinum+, the highest green building rating in North America. Not only is UBC inventive in developing new real estate but we are also leading the $11 million construction of Canada’s largest radio telescope – the first research telescope to be built in the country in more than 30 years. One of UBC’s creative students has produced a film titled When I Walk and it is to be featured in the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. In this film, the director Jason DaSilva portrays his personal experiences living with Multiple Sclerosis and the grueling journey this disease took him on.

The overall nature of our chapter is one of true sisterhood, respect and enthusiasm for Kappa Kappa Gamma. This year we have seen a visible increase in attendance to meetings and strengthened enthusiasm for philanthropy and sisterhood events. Chapter Council has done an amazing job of coming up with innovative ideas on how to further improve aspects of the chapter, such as chapter history and our public image.

Highlights of 2013

The year 2013 has been one of the most exciting and influential years for the Gamma Upsilon chapter at UBC. The year started off with a bang with our Philanthropy week and Kappa Kappa Gamma’s annual Desserts for a Cure. We were able to create friendly competition at our hot cocoa stand for people to increase their donations by creating Greek and non-Greek donation jars, which proved to be a great success.

In addition to these events, we continue to practice our weekly philanthropies. On Wednesdays we serve food in the soup kitchen at First Baptist Church and on Fridays we work to develop children’s literacy with our reading buddy program at University Hill Elementary School. Our Chapters success continued into March as we made it a priority to participate in other Greek philanthropy events after the victory of our own. We were very proud to win Diamond ball, a baseball tournament put on by Alpha Delta Pi that raises money for the Ronald McDonald House. In addition, we also came in third place with Phi Gamma Delta during Greek week.

In September, UBC Sororities completed the largest recruitment in Canada, which was a considerable achievement not only for Panhellenic, but for the Gamma Upsilon chapter as well. We initiated 26 new members in November and they have been enthusiastic about becoming involved. Currently 7 of the newly initiated members hold positions on Chapter Council. We honored the founding of Kappa Kappa Gamma at the our founders day brunch, where one active member, who has now gone on to become our President, and two alumnae spoke about the effect that Kappa Kappa Gamma has had on their lives.

An important priority for the Gamma Upsilon chapter this fall semester was increasing academic achievement. Although it has always been a major priority for the chapter, we came to the realization that we could be doing more to support and encourage our sisters in achieving academic success. The Academic Council was formed in order to assist girls who may be struggling. This council has been crucial in the improvement of academics because it allows for more individual time to be allocated to sisters who need it instead of having just the Vice President Academic Excellence dealing with issues. As incentive to aim high, cookies are distributed weekly to girls who have achieved 80% or higher on an exam or an assignment. Through the implementation of the council and academic incentives we saw the overall chapter average rise just over 3% from the Spring 2013 to the Fall 2013 semester. We hope to continue our success in both the academic and philanthropic arena’s as we continue into the New Year.

The University of British Columbia continues to be an innovative campus that is focused equally on the well being of its students as well as the well being of the Earth and environment. In the spring of 2013 UBC announced that the creation of a smart-grid energy storage system that integrates one megawatt hour of stored energy enough to power an average home for 1,000 hours into a power grid that supports three major campus facilities. In September, The Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS) and UBC was awarded LEED Platinum certification, the highest designation in green building performance from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system. UBC has also made a considerable effort in bettering the lives of its student as well as the environment. The UBC bookstore reduced the cost of course packs, which allowed students to save a average of 33% on their course materials.

The fall semester was a stressful and frightening time on the UBC campus. At the end of September and throughout October there was a string of 6 sexual assaults that occurred on the UBC campus. These events were extremely concerning for our Chapter and the UBC population as a whole. However, in this time of fear the Chapter became closer in attempts to protect one another at all costs. Our Risk Management chairman gave multiple presentations on how we can protect ourselves in times where we find ourselves alone in the evening. She also gave out whistles and contact cards with UBC Securities information. Sisters that lived on campus offered to walk girls home should they ever find themselves alone. It was in this time of stress and uncertainty that brought our chapter closer together and gave us a true understanding of sisterhood. The campus has sense returned to the safe learning environment it always has been, but the increased support for one another within the chapter has remained.

Highlights of 2014

The year 2014 has been a very successful and exciting year for the Gamma Upsilon chapter at UBC. The year started off well with philanthropy week in which we raised money and support through our candy grams and hot chocolate booths in the SUB. Again we found success in instilling some friendly competition with the Greek and non-Greek donation jars. In addition to these events, we continue to practice our weekly philanthropies of Tuesday night soup kitchen at First Baptist Church and Friday afternoon reading buddies at University Hill Elementary School. Our Chapters success continued into March where we ended the month off by introducing our new main philanthropy event Kappa Kourtside featuring Kappa Kappa Gamma’s annual Desserts for a Cure, which proved to be a success. Many teams came out to support our philanthropy and we raised $1600. Our chapter also took part in many Greek philanthropy events such as Diamond ball, put on my Alpha Delta Pi raising money for the Ronald McDonald House. In addition our chapter also attended and volunteered for other charities such as F Cancer (started by one of our very own Yael Cohen) and Women for Women in Afghanistan. To continue our philanthropic year we raised $2025 at the CIBC run for a cure this fall and $1300 at our November Desserts for a Cure. In January we also put on a fantastic rendition of the Lion King for Songfest, hosted by Order of Omega, which included almost every member of our chapter. We initiated 34 enthusiastic new members in November, with seven currently holding Chapter Council positions. This years Founder Day was an amazing event, hosted at Dockside Restaurant in Granville Island. Girls had the chance to connect with Vancouver alumni and learn about our history as well as form connections through the dream wall.

An important priority for the Gamma Upsilon chapter this fall semester was increasing chapter involvement and achievements in the Greek community. This has always been a goal of ours but we wanted to emphasize it this year as many girls graduated resulting in a smaller sorority with many new members. We were able to do this by encouraging participation in all Greek events. We had girls volunteer to make teams for almost every sorority and fraternities philanthropy event, such as DG’s anchor splash. Our chapter also had many successful rec sports teams throughout the year, including: two volleyball teams, a soccer team and a dodge ball team last term. We also won the UBC rec softball tournament at the beginning of this year. On top of this participation and success in sports, we had three girls take home top Panhellenic awards. Katie Sherlock won Top Panhellenic Athlete, Amanda Woodland won Top Panhellenic Scholar, and Abby Perehudoff won Top Individual Philanthropist. As well, multiple girls also won accreditation certificate awards. The Academic Council has encouraged academic success in the chapter, as well as incentives such as smart cookies, and library raids. Kappa Kash also encourages girls to participate in our many philanthropic opportunities. Overall morale and sisterhood has been increased and that’s what encourages girls to participate more. We truly hope to continue this successful involvement and overall achievements into the New Year.

The University of British Columbia is a large dynamic campus located in the heart of Vancouver’s Pacific Spirit Park; with over 60,000 students the campus is always changing. UBC offers both a diverse academic and athletic program. In the past year the University’s athletic program has come under review. Some of UBC’s athletic programs, like it’s Swimming, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Rowing, and Soccer teams, are held along side some of the best in Canada and North America. Unfortunately programs like its Football, Skiing, and Softball’s continued inability to prove successful has brought attention to the structure of UBC’s athletic program. In 2013 The University announced a review of the athletic program’s structure, promising a more focused and successful program; changing certain team’s privileges from ‘varsity’ to club status, the first steps of which to be put into affect at the beginning of the 2014/2015 academic year. Prior to talks of Athletic reformation the UBC student population has been relatively indifferent with regards to support for it’s varsity programs. The recent attention drawn to the athletic program has caused an influx of school spirit. The Times Higher Education World University Ranking ranked UBC 23rd in the world, and 2nd in Canada. The 2013/2014 average admittance GPA was 89.5%, an increase of .02% from the previous year. The University continues to commit itself to not only educating students to the highest degree, but doing so in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. The University leads the way with sustainable buildings, having built fourteen buildings that adhere to the highest sustainable standards, and is currently in the process of completing five more. The University’s embrace for innovative policies and building begin in what has been publicly recognized by many as "North America's Greenest Building” and one of the greenest buildings in the world.

The fall semester at UBC was exciting and ground breaking. Our Chapter saw one of the busiest rush periods ever. Not only is the campus’ Greek life thriving, but extra curricular involvement at UBC outside of the Greek life is at an all time high. With UBC Sororities at the forefront of involvement of the Alma Mater Society’s 370 recognized clubs, it is a wonderful time to be in the Greek system. Kappa Kappa Gamma hosts the most diverse group of members of any Greek organization at UBC. With members from various parts of the world such as the US, Great Britain, and Thailand, our members are very well rounded. The bonds of sisterhood created prove to be stronger than ever as sisters frequently make plans to visit our sisters from abroad.

Our chapter holds meetings in our Chapter room located in the Panhellenic House. The Chapter room is rented and has a comfy classroom setup. We do not have housing at the Gamma Upsilon Chapter in UBC.


Highlights of 2015

2015 has been a very exciting year, very focused on making changes to better our chapter as well as forming stronger bonds within our sisterhood. In March we welcomed six new and amazing girls through our COB recruitment. To start off March we had the annual Parent Tea in the chapter room, which was a great way to meet some parents and in turn let them have a glimpse into what Kappa means to each member. At our Panhellenic awards ceremony at the end of March we had five girls receive academic accreditation, our chapter was accredited for sports, philanthropy, and leadership and activities, our very own Katie Sherlock was accredited for a top athlete, two of our members were accredited with leadership and top philanthropists, and finally another two of our members were accredited with the all greek women of the year award.

We also had a beautiful formal at the Arbutus Club at the end of March, which was a fun way to close up the year for our sisterhood. Kappa Kourtside in the second week of April brought out a huge crowd right before exams. And we were able to raise $4891. We also were able to raise $1089 through our Kappa Kandy Grams, and $1745 at our annual Desserts for a Cure. By the end of the term we also had eleven girls with an over 80 average. We are so proud of them and their accomplishments, and hope to inspire the rest of the chapter to keep up this push towards academics!

At the start of September we attended our retreat at our very own Kristin Short’s house in Shuswap Lake, where we had the opportunity to bond with our sisters at a beautiful location for three days. At retreat we rehearsed all things recruitment, which was very helpful for our newest pledge class. As well, we decorated our new floral letters, and had multiple photo shoots to share on social media as well as for our recruitment video. It was the highlight of the year, and everyone had so much fun.

Coming into the school year our chapter was extremely busy with planning and preparing for recruitment. We also revamped our website, adding photos from retreat and stepped up our presence and activity on social media. Our house chairman took to decorating our chapter room with some homey pieces, such as polaroid pictures, lights, flowers, pillows and a couple ottomans. Recruitment was a busy time for public relations and our activity on social media. It really paid off however as our new members were able to follow posts during that time and so it was quite effective.

Recruitment was the most successful its been in years, we were all so pumped and welcome in 34 new and amazing members. We have carried this excitement throughout the term. We raised $427.70 during our philanthropy weeks cocoa for a cure in the UBC Nest, and $6380 from our participating team in the annual CIBC Run for a Cure. In the first week of November our chapter submitted a video for Gamma Phi Betas philanthropy event, The Gammies. We didn’t win, but our own sister Rebcca Moug took home best actress!

I-week and initiation took place in the second week of November, and it ran smoothly as well as fun. We even got to have a sisterhood event at Spin Society, where a Kappa alumni generously offered her time to hold. At the end of November we will be hosting what should be an amazing semi formal at the Traditional Chinese Gardens, which our new members are very excited for.

Following this on November 22nd we are having someone from headquarters hold a ritual workshop for our chapter. Throughout the year our chapter has taken part in a number of philanthropy events within the Greek community. To list a few, the chapter took part in Sigma Chi’s Derby Days in support of the Shinerama UBC campaign raising money for Cystic Fibrosis research, and AOPi’s Score Out Arthritis which is a indoor soccer tournament. This coming year we are planning on fully using the GIN system for a more concise and official way to keep track with events for the month and year.

This fall our campus finally opened its long anticipated new student union building, the Nest. This has been a seven year process, but has been well worth the wait. It is a beautiful LEED platinum certified building (highest green building rating in North America), and has room for the huge growth in students at UBC. It is located right next to the old SUB, and maintains its hub of activity offering a place for students to shop, study, eat and socialize. The building itself is five stories and 250,000 square feet (50% larger than the old SUB), and cost $107 million. The NEST contains eight AMS run food and drink eateries, nine AMS services, as well as a three-storey rock climbing wall. Not only is the building itself sustainable – solar powered cooling, radian hearing/cooling of floors, solar water heaters, cerified wood products, in vessel compositing, storm water management/retention, roof top garden, water efficient landscaping using grey water, but their food is as well – 100% ocean wise certified, local produce, dry food purchased from local companies, and all coffees are certified organic, shade grown, and fair trade.

This year our overall chapters nature has been focused on sisterhood. We started out the year as one of the smallest sororities on campus, but through teamwork we have grown to almost the same size as everyone else. This year as been extremely busy, and we have faced times of difficulty, but we have all really stuck together and helped each other. We have held multiple sisterhood events this year, and chapter council members took to using their committees for help a lot more. As well our chapter has shown a lot of initiative to help each other, and spend time with each other. On top of fun sisterhood events we have also had many study nights, with amazing turn outs. Its so special to see our sisters encouraging and helping each other push for better academics, which has been a struggle for us in the past. Within the first two months of school our chapter had hosted three study nights, one was also with Delta Gamma. Not only have our members pushed to attend all of our own meetings and events but our participation within the Greek community has also increased substantially.

What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community? Reading is fundamental, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, First Baptist Church soup kitchen

Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support? Reading is fundamental is the national Kappa Kappa Gamma philanthropy. Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is our local chapter philanthropy which was started due to an alumni. We hold this philanthropy very close to all our hearts, and one of our alumni, Yael Cohen, actually started the philanthropy Fuck Cancer. First Baptist Church – weekly volunteering at soup kitchen

Highlights of 2016

As a whole chapter, we were able to accomplish the Anna Kianna Panhellenic Award and Ann McCucheon Philanthropy Award, as well as two individual awards, Top Panhellenic Scholar and Top Individual Philanthropist, at this past Panhellenic Spring Awards. Many have also won individual awards and scholarships such as Just Desserts (recognizes members of UBC community with outstanding contribution), Dean’s Honour List (for those with grades within the top 10%), Major Entrance Scholarship, Chancellor’s Scholar Award, Outstanding International Scholarship and initiation to Gamma Sigma Alpha (for members of the Greek system with +77% average). Our members were able to get involved with other UBC organizations such as the Alma Mater Society, various faculties and different clubs as executive members or as volunteers; Delegate, Promotional Team, RC and VP Recruitment for Panhellenic, Vice President for POITS, Dean’s Student Advisory Council, House President of Salish House of Totem Park Residence, General Volunteer for UBC Hospital, InterClub Executive at Blood for Life, VP Student Life at Arts Undergraduate Society, VP UBC Thunderbird Dance Team and Volunteer Avenue Coordinator of AMS to name just a few.

Members have also volunteered with organizations outside the UBC community: BC Women and Children’s Hospital, VGH Renal Dialysis Unit, Strathcona Clinic, Kiwanis Club, Women for Women, Junior Achievement, BC SPCA and Burnaby Hospital of Mental Health.

Describe the recent changes on your campus and describe the overall nature of your chapter. On campus, there is a newly open first year residence, Orchard Commons, which has greatly improved housing and expanded capacity for first years to be guaranteed housing. A lot of our new members have the privilege of living in this new building.

Our chapter's nature in 2016 has once again been one of loyalty, community and sisterhood. We have gained 35 wonderful new members who have each been an extraordinary addition to our chapter. Many of the new members have taken positions on Chapter Council as well as been appointed significant leadership roles assisting some of the Chapter Council Executives. In addition, two of our members have been chosen for executive positions on Panhellenic Council. We are all very proud of these girls and especially excited for our chapter to have great representation on Panhel's board.

Chapter Philanthropy: What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community?

-Reading is Fundamental (international) -Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation (international) -The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (national) -Soup Kitchen Tuesdays at First Baptist Church, Reading Buddy Fridays at University Hill Elementary (local)

Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support? The members of our chapter hold the causes of both our national and local philanthropies dear to our hearts. Like most people, we have been affected one way or another by breast cancer, which is why we find it important to raise awareness and funds to support the research and survivors of this disease. As for our two local philanthropies, Soup Kitchen Tuesdays and Reading Buddy Fridays, our chapter wanted a way to give back to our community not just through organizing internal events, but also by participating in charitable activities every week. Reading Buddy Fridays is a program that also helps us show our support towards the Reading is Fundamental organization consistently throughout the year.

Chapter Facility: In what kind of a facility does your chapter meet? Please attach a clear photo of where you typically hold chapter meetings – whether in a classroom, chapter house or elsewhere.

With the exception of few formal meetings, most of our chapter meetings were previously held in the chapter room in the Panhellenic house. However, starting this October, we have been meeting in a class room in the IONA building on campus, as it provides more space for all of the members.


Highlights of 2017

In January, the Gamma Upsilon chapter set out to strive towards a year of building a stronger sisterhood through strengthening the bond between sisters, and overall solidifying our community involvement and empowerment. We plan on improving our sisterhood by creating and planning g sisterhood events throughout each month to encourage sister-bonding and active participation within the chapter. We welcomed 2 new members in our January COB, who became a part of the 2016 pledge class. Throughout January-April, the Chapter focused on our sisterhood through attending sisterhood events and ensuring our sisters maintained academic excellence, great presence at Greek events and philanthropies, and good relations and communication with each other in the chapter.

For the January-April semester, Gamma Upsilon chapter had the highest academic average of any sorority chapter at UBC this past semester with a 74.48%. At the Panhellenic Spring Awards, our chapter received two individual awards for Top Philanthropy, received by Farrah Bui-Turcotte, who is extremely involved with philanthropies and volunteering; Along with Top Leadership, received by Elise Mance, who maintained a double presidency being president of Kappa and president of the AUS (Arts Undergraduate Society). Two of our sisters were recently initiated into Gamma Sigma Alpha, which is a Greek organization for Greek members with averages of above 76%. We have a sister who was granted a UBC Excellence Scholarship for being within the top 10% in her faculty, undergraduate year, and program. We have sisters who are on the Deans Honour Roll, and who have been granted BC Achievement Scholarship awards, the District Authority Scholarship award, and the Maili Wong Award in Finance, to name a few.

Five of our Chapter Council officers were able to attend the Kappa Leadership Conference where they learned skills to implement within our chapter and within council so that the officers are able to be greater leaders, and a newest member of PC16 attended the Kappa Leadership Academy. In September, we welcomed 40 new members into our Chapter, 38 of which were part of Formal Recruitment and 2 of which we welcomed through COB. For Formal Recruitment, we received a 97.5% retention rate after tours, and became the top recruiting sorority of 2017. Our President implemented ‘President’s Key’, which is a member spotlight for two girls who have gone above and beyond in the Chapter and who will be presented with this award at Chapter meeting and will be talked about in a little blurb highlighting the things they are doing for the Chapter, in which they will also receive a little care package. She also implemented ‘Accountabili-KEYS’, which is to maintain commitment and presence at other Greek philanthropies, where girls are in groups of 3, and 1/3 girls must attend and participate in each event.

Our Registrar implemented ‘Owl Bet’cha Didn’t Know’, which is a monthly newsletter presented at Chapter meeting, where information taken from the Chapter History Nuggets are translated into a cute newsletter format highlighting certain historical or ongoing events, and also includes fun facts, and a sister shout out. The goal of this newsletter is to maintain awareness of Kappa history in a fun format. Furthermore, our sister Kennedy Gagnon, just recently became the president of UBC sororities, and will lead our community for the upcoming year.

In the spring, a new aquatic centre opened up for students and faculty members of UBC and the community. There has also been ongoing construction as a new bus-loop is being built alongside another new residence for students.

Overall, the Gamma Upsilon chapter has implemented monthly sisterhood events that have increased both active participation in the chapter, alongside establishing greater closeness among our sisters. We find that recruitment and initiation are always special for members, as these events remind us why we hold Kappa so close to our hearts, and it shows us the unification and the support systems amongst members. This past year, Gamma Upsilon has accomplished our goals and have done so with great pride, and we feel that our Chapter will continue to improve throughout the 2017-2018 year.


Chapter Philanthropy:

Soup Kitchen at the First Baptist Church (Local), every Tuesday night with Phi Delta Theta.

Reading Buddies at University Hill Elementary (Local), every Friday afternoon with Beta Theta Pi.

Reading is Fundamental (International)

The Canadian Brest Cancer Foundation (National)

Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation (International)


Reading is Fundamental is the international organization that all Kappa chapters support, therefore we show support by our weekly local philanthropy at Reading Buddies. We also choose to support the First Baptist Church weekly because it enables members to get out weekly to give back to our community. Our Chapter supports the Canadian Brest Cancer Foundation (CBBF) because as a large group of women, we have all been or known somebody who has been affected by breast cancer, and cancer in general. We choose to support this organization because the money we raised goes towards finding a cure, and supports and brings awareness to each woman affected by breast cancer in their courageous battles in fighting cancer.

Most of chapter meetings are held within our Chapter room, as it was renovated and painted throughout the summer. We find that our Chapter room provides us with enough room and enables us to maintain focus throughout our meetings. We also tend to hold sisterhood events immediately after Chapter meetings every couple of weeks, so it is easy for girls to participate and attend these events as they are in our Chapter room. There are certain occasions we hold our meetings in classrooms across campus, and this is generally for Formal Meetings as this allows more space to perform ritual.

    

Highlights of 2018s:

This year the chapter has seen growth in our sisterhood, increased engagement in our philanthropy events, and has initiated an incredible new member class. In January 2018 we successfully transitioned a brand new chapter council. Our VPOrganization arranged our Leadership Consultant visit who was able to further aid in transitions. The 2018 Chapter Council is responsible for implementing the Owl, Keys, and Fleur-de-lis groups to increase accountability for internal and external philanthropic events. The Academic Council maintained communication with members to ensure they were meeting their academic goals that our VPAcademic Excellence had encouraged us to set for ourselves. The standards committee worked closely with VPStandards to organize and host a variety of sisterhood events that we put on throughout the year. Some members belong to the Gamma Sigma Alpha fraternity which is a Greek organization that celebrates scholarly achievement by taking members with an academic average above 76%. Many of the women in our chapter hold volunteer positions on campus with organizations like Best Buddies and are also involved with the Alma Mater Society of UBC and other academic pursuits. During our January - April semester we were able to celebrate our senior members with a Panhellenic Senior Send Off and our Sapphire Ball was organized by our Events Chair a beautiful formal event for us. Our PR Chair did an incredible job in highlighting our chapter values on social media by focusing on our sisterhood, self love, and mental health awareness.

During the summer our Recruitment Chair started work on creating a strong recruitment. Due to the hard work she and her committee put in we welcomed 30 beautiful new members in September. Our President attended the Leadership Conference in June where she shared leadership skills, ideas, and stories to strengthen our sisterhood. Our Philanthropy assistant attended the Kappa Leadership Academy.

Our Risk Chairman along with our Education Chairman organized many education meetings for us that pertained to mental and physical health as well as self care. Our Marshal arranged a lovely initiation for everyone in November and saw 30 women initiated into Kappa Kappa Gamma.

We have continued the tradition of supporting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation through our bake sale event Desserts for a Cure where the proceeds all go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. Our Philanthropy Chair also attended our weekly philanthropic events such as our Tuesday night Soup Kitchen with Phi Delta Theta and Reading Buddies on Friday afternoons with Beta Theta Pi. These volunteer events give our women a chance to give back to the community that fits with their schedules. Our chapter showed support for Reading is Fundamental through a book drive and barbecue called Kappa Kookout and through our continued involvement in Reading Buddies. Our chapter takes great pride in helping the communities of the Vancouver area.

Our chapter room is where we host our meetings, along with an occasional meeting in the Woodward Building on campus to hold elections and educational meetings. Our chapter room was renovated in the summer to update the decor. Our chapter room is one of 8 rooms within the Panhellenic House building that hosts all of the UBC sorority chapters.









From chapter’s History Report: Scholarship, group honors/awards, traditions, special events, changes on campus or within chapter, overall nature of the chapter, chapter goals, challenges and how they were overcome, etc.:


Housing:


Philanthropy:


Chapter Convention Awards:


Highlights of 2023s:

Throughout the year, our chapter has experienced remarkable participation in both sisterhood and greek-life events. Our events chair has devoted significant effort to create exceptional bonding activities, including a memorable chapter-wide Canucks hockey game night. Additionally, our Director of Academic Excellence has been instrumental in fostering support and cohesion among our sisters through bi-weekly study rooms.

In February, our President, Vice-President Membership, and Vice-President External Affairs attended the Kappa Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas. During the conference, our members had the opportunity to learn more about Kappa’s history and connect with sisters from all over the world.

We are thrilled to have reintroduced Kamp Kappa, our spring philanthropy event in support of Jack.org (mental health initiatives) and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. In November of last year, we proudly raised $2913 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation through Deserts for a Cure. Our chapter has recently launched ‘Kappa Talks,’ a program inspired by Ted Talks. This initiative aims to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within our sisterhood by encouraging girls to share topics that they are passionate about.

Our members are leaders in various clubs on campus, including The Women’s Network, Campus Canines, UBC Pre-Law Association, The Calendar, and the AMS, among others. We have introduced Kappa Kash, a unique way to recognize and celebrate the involvement of our members in our chapter. We continue to recognize achievement through the Smart Cookies Program, KKGreat News and the No-“Skippy” Jar on a weekly basis.

Our Public Relations Chair has demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment to promoting our chapter on social media. As a result, we have amassed a following of over 3,500 on Instagram and received over 200,000 views on Tik Tok.

In January, we welcomed eight exceptional new members into our chapter through our Spring COB. Last fall, we welcomed 25 beautiful new members. We regularly hold meetings at the Woodward Building on campus, with the exception of Formal Meetings and New Member Meetings, which are held in the Chapter Room. Our gorgeous chapter room recently had a kitchen renovation and ceiling reconstruction.


Philanthropy:

Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation (International)

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (National)

Jack.org (National)

Reading Buddies at University Hill Elementary (Local), every Friday afternoon.


Note to Chapter Registrar: Please refer to your chapter archives including chapter meeting minutes and back issues of The Key to fill in any gaps in the above historical highlights. If your chapter archives are not complete, please research your university library, campus newspaper and yearbook archives for newsworthy information about your chapter. Please double check your work for accuracy. Contact chapter Advisory or House Board members, local Alumnae Association members, or your Province Director of Chapters for assistance.

Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoy!

Retrieved from "https://wiki.kkg.org/index.php?title=Upsilon&oldid=23217"