Zeta Xi
| Zeta Xi | |
|---|---|
| ZΞ | |
 | |
| Founded | January 17, 1987 |
| College | Yale University |
| Location | New Haven, CT |
| Homepage | Zeta Xi Homepage |
| Media related to Zeta_Xi Chapter | |
740 initiates (as of June 2017)
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Contents
Highlights of the 1980's
Zeta Xi Chapter was installed on January 17, 1987 with 21 Charter members. National Fraternity President, Marian K. Williams performed both the initiation ceremony and the installation services. The chapter had its first informal rush during the spring semester and pledged 7 women. An easter egg hunt philanthropy project, a Kappa Krush dinner party, retreats and a pumpkin carving philanthropy project all contributed to the year's success. The chapter's first semi-formal, the Kappa Kabaret, is a source of pride for Zeta Zi because it pulled together the efforts of the whole chapter. Through these activities and others, we attained our chapter goal 'Greater Kappa Friendships'. We used the term greater to imply that we will have stronger friendships and a wider circle of friends.
The chapter experienced some challenges in promoting its interests on the Yale campus. A vocal student reaction and apparent administration misgivings were a challenge to the growth and stability of greek groups on campus. The chapter president was asked to participate in a panel discussion on the social life at Yale. Aware that KKG adhered to undergraduate regulations regarding alcohol consumption the Dean believed the chapter representative could contribute to the presentation. Kappa received much positive feedback from the audience, mainly Yale alumni, at the end of the presentation.
The chapter continues to grow, strengthening sisterly bonds and becoming a unified group of women.
Highlights of the 1990's
The chapter acquired a three bedroom Kappa apartment for the first time in our short history. Kappas lived in the apartment for the first time. Furniture was donated by alumnae. A house board was activated and house rules were defined by the chapter. Ordering 'composites' was another first for Zeta Xi. A strict but fair attendance policy was established and approved by the chapter.
Twelve new sisters were initiated, members of 2 pledge classes.
As the chapter grows in size it continues to grow stronger as a group of dedicated women. There are four panhellenic groups on campus. AEPhi was the most recent to be added to campus. Two groups have apartments.
In addition to social events we hosted Founders Day for local alumnae in the chapter's apartment.
While the Greek System is not widely known on campus, what is known about Greeks has remained 'positive'. The reputation is that of a very nice, diverse, close group of motivated women.
Highlights 2012
Gaining 26 new sisters in March 2012; instating a family system and coordinating Family Day; volunteering with YHHAP, Abraham's Tent, Yale Day of Service, and co-sponsoring events with other fraternities and sororities for various foundations; holding a spring retreat; focusing on improving chapter attendance; celebrating Senior Appreciation; continuing to settle into the new Kappa House (moved in fall 2011); raising over $500 for Reading is Fundamental at our fall event Kappacalypse; celebrating Founders' Day at The Graduate Club; welcoming 8 new sisters during Fall Informal Recruitment; earning the highest GPA of Kappa chapters nationwide.
On campus, our house total has been steadily increasing to become comparable to the two other sorority totals on campus. This has been great for Chapter morale and we expect to see an increase in numbers this fall during informal recruitment and next spring. Our chapter is unique and we strive to embrace diversity. We are a group of women of varying interests including athletics, politics, and service. We truly understand the meaning of sisterhood and focus on fostering it as much as possible.
Highlights of 2013
We welcomed 29 new sisters in March 2013 and 21 more in November. Zeta Xi sisters were involved in many service opportunities, including Yale Day of Service and YHHAP in addition to co-sponsoring events with other fraternities and sororities for various foundations. We raised over $500 for Reading is Fundamental as part of our fall event, Kappacalypse, and celebrated Founder’s Day at the Graduate Club. We improved chapter attendance, and created an online roster for Chapter Council members.
Describe the recent changes on your campus and describe the overall nature of your chapter. Our chapter total has increased to become comparable to the other two sororities on campus, so that we no longer need a Fall Recruitment period. Our chapter is very diverse and we are able to embrace that diversity to promote sisterhood in many aspects of campus life. Our varying interests are exemplified in athletics, academics, politics, philanthropy, and other aspects of Yale undergraduate life. Our focus on sisterhood is noted by many people on campus, even outside of the chapter.
Highlights of 2014
In March of 2014 we welcomed Beta Delta, a class of 45 new sisters, our most successful recruitment ever. Zeta Xi sisters were involved in a wide variety of student service groups, including Yale Hunger and Homeless Action Project, New Haven Reads, Peer Health Educators, World Micro-Market, AIDS Walk New Haven, Children’s Theater, Elm City, PALS Tutoring and Mentoring, and Seneca International. The chapter also conducted a book drive for Reading is Fundamental, and raised over $2000 for Relay for Life, the most in chapter history. Our chapter also increased the use of committees to assist Chapter Council in carrying out chapter goals. Our focus on improving committees has allowed more girls than ever to get involved with shaping the direction of the chapter.
Our chapter has improved our presence on campus and had our most successful recruitment yet. We were able to reach our chapter total goal without a Fall recruitment. We have began to exert a greater presence on campus, and those outside the chapter particularly note Zeta Xi’s strong emphasis on sisterhood. Our chapter is very diverse as are the interests of the Zeta Xi sisters. Zeta Xi chapter has a strong presence in all aspects of Yale undergraduate life, including athletics, the arts, philanthropy, and academics, to name a few.
Chapter meetings take place in classrooms in University owned buildings. Chapter Council meetings are held in the chapter’s house. Currently, nine girls live in a chapter-rented house.
Highlights of 2015
In March of 2015, we welcomed the Beta Epsilon New Member class, the largest pledge class to date with 53 girls. As part of their new member service project they organized the library at a local public school.
In the spring, we participated in Relay for Life and raised over $4,000 -- the most money of any Greek organization. The philanthropy chairs organized a new initiative in the fall, a dodge ball tournament, to raise money for local organization New Haven Reads.
Our focus on growing the tradition of leadership has increased the ways members can be involved in the chapter through greater use of committees and continuing to have new member class organizers.
In the Fall of 2015, Alpha Phi joined the panhellenic community at Yale, increasing the number of sororities from three to four. In the fall, controversy surrounding race on campus allowed us to look at the diversity of our chapter and the ways that we can support our sisters. Women of Zeta Xi continue to be involved in all facets of life on campus including many student organizations, athletics, the arts, philanthropy and academics.
Chapter Philanthropy: What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community?
New Haven Reads, Celentano school, American Cancer Society (Relay for Life), Yale Hunger and Homelessness Action Project.
Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?
These organizations support literacy, similarly to Reading is Fundamental, and allow sisters to engage in active service over just raising money. Other organizations, like YHHAP, are because our sisters are involved in the organization on their own time, and have invited more girls from the chapter to partake.
Highlights of 2016
In February, we welcomed the Beta Zeta New Member class, with 35 girls. For their new member service project they cleaned up trash along the Farmington Canal. In April, we participated in Relay for Life and were once again the top fundraiser with over $5,200 in donations. Over the summer, President Meg Mathile and members of our Advisory Board represented our chapter at the 71st Biennial Convention in San Diego, where we received the Academic Excellence Award and honorable mentions for our Ritual Practice and Advisory Board Relations. We held informal recruitment in the fall and welcomed thirteen new members into our chapter as a part of the Beta Eta New Member Class.
In December, we hosted our second annual Dodgeball tournament in December to raise money for a local literacy organization, New Haven Reads. This year was special in that we participated in three initiations. We held two of our own, one in April at the Masonic Temple for our Beta Zeta New Member class and another in December for our Beta Eta New Member class. We also traveled to Trinity College in October where the Zeta Theta chapter welcomed us to celebrate the initiation of their new members and a few of our Beta Zeta girls.
To improve the effectiveness of our Chapter Council, we have reduced the number of positions from twenty-five positions to nineteen positions, as per the suggestion of our Leadership Consultant, Ingrid. We are hoping that this new structure will streamline communication within CC and encourage the involvement of committees in a more meaningful way.
This year's recruitment was the first with a new sorority on campus, Alpha Phi. As a result, our new member class was smaller, but this gave us a chance to welcome some amazing women to our chapter during continuous open bidding in the spring and an informal recruitment in the fall. Women of Zeta Xi continue to be involved in all facets of life on campus including many student organizations, athletics, the arts, philanthropy and academics. Our chapter is known on campus for our strong sisterhood.
Chapter Philanthropy: What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community? New Haven Reads, American Cancer Society (Relay for Life), Yale Hunger and Homelessness Action Project. These organizations support literacy, similarly to Reading is Fundamental, and allow sisters to engage in active service over just raising money. Other organizations, like YHHAP, are because our sisters are involved in the organization on their own time, and have invited more girls from the chapter to partake.
Last semester, we held chapter in Linsly-Chittenden Hall, a University classroom. However, this semester we have been able to hold chapter in our newly renovated house thanks to our more spacious living room and our smaller chapter size. The renovations included expanding our living room, installing hardwood flooring and granite counter tops, repainting, and refurbishing our basement. Chapter Council meetings are held in the chapter's house.
Highlights of 2017
In January, we held Formal Recruitment; with the themes Kappa's A Classic, Around the World in 80 Days, and True Blue Sisterhood. In total, we initiated 39 new members into Beta Theta. For their new member service project, they participated in the AIDS Walk New Haven. In March, we held Kappancakes, our annual charity event, to raise money for Reading is Fundamental. In April, we held a social graciousness brunch for the first time, which focused on etiquette and business tips. In the summer, we cleaned up the house, getting new carpets and reorganizing the basement. In the fall, we welcomed 8 new members through informal recruitment. Fall initiation was held in the house! For the first time in years, all of our members, in both the fall and the spring, were initated with their pledge class.
This year was Kappa's 30th anniversary, and we held a 30th anniversary brunch in the fall to celebrate. Alumni from Zeta Xi and beyond were invited to celebrate with us at the Graduate Club. We also had a weekend full of other events including an art gallery tour and an alumni dinner at Elm City Social. Our alumni association has also kindly agreed to begin providing financial assitance for sisters to buy basic keys, covering 50% of the cost for six sisters. Our advisor, Fay Kandarian, is retiring.
Two new residential colleges, Benjamin Franklin and Pauli Murray college, were opened this fall, increasing the size of the first-year class by approximately 200 students. Yale Panhellenic Council established a financial aid scholarship to be put into effect for the 2018 recruitment season, which will hopefully make Kappa and Greek life in general accessible to more women on campus. Kappas on campus are active throughout a variety of organizations, including sports, performance groups, academic organizations, and service groups. Many are officers in their organizations. Kappas are known on campus for their strong sisterhood.
