First multicultural sorority joins IU

Many sororities have ethnic affiliations and a diverse group women in their houses, though few of them are truly defined as multicultural. Theta Nu Xi, Multicultural Sorority, Inc., however, is the first and only of its kind at IU. \nTheta Nu Xi was founded in April of 1997 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The sorority came to IU in May 2004 and began the Upsilon chapter. Theta Nu Xi is composed of seven members locally and over 300 members nationally, said senior President Margie Conely. \nThe ethnicity of the women that make up the sorority range from a Native American and Hispanic member, an Italian and Singhalese member and five black members, one of which is of Jamaican descent. \nThe process of establishing Theta Nu Xi at IU took two years to complete. There was extensive paper work, interviews with expansion committees, meetings with Greek Affairs at IU and, on top of all of that, the women had to show the University there was an interest and need for Theta Nu Xi, explained junior Parliamentarian Markeyta Martin. \n"I definitely wanted to go greek, but I couldn't decide what house I wanted to join." Martin said. "So when I heard about Theta Nu Xi and how it was multicultural, I knew it was the right thing for me. The sorority is very formal, and we present ourselves in a professional manner when we have our letters on."\nConely said IU backs diversity, but the University doesn't always implement it. She said she believes bringing this sorority to campus makes multiculturalism more visible on campus and unites people despite their differences.\n"I really want to establish Theta Nu Xi on this campus," Conely said. "I want to let people know who we are and what we stand for. We want to bring other greek houses together and also bring the community together."\nThe sorority is founded on five tenets; scholarship, service, leadership, multiculturalism and sisterhood. Senior Brittany Bell, dean of intake, said she believes these tenets and the stress of individuality are what set Theta Nu Xi apart from other sororities on campus.\n"We didn't want to be in a greek organization where we felt confined to one group of people," Bell said. "We wanted to be in a greek organization that embraced different races, culture, religion, backgrounds and lifestyles."\nAnother aspect that makes Theta Nu Xi different from the other sororities on campus is that they are not a part of Panhellenic Association or National Panhellenic Council, but they have applied and are in the process of joining Multicultural Greek Council, Martin said. \nConely understands there were other ways to get a multicultural organization started on campus, yet she knows how important the greek system is to the University, which is one of the reasons she believes the sorority will be effective on campus.\n"The reason we decided to start a greek organization is because the greek systems hold a lot of weight on campus, especially at IU." Conely said. "So, if you want to make a social change, you need to start at a place where you can be very influential.\nThe rush process to become a Theta Nu Xi is similar in some ways to the rush process for sororities in the PHA. Theta Nu Xi, however, will not participate in the traditional women's rush. \nThe sorority tentatively has planned to have its rush week in November. The week will consist of different events and programs that go along with their five tenets. There also is an application process that women interested in Theta Nu Xi have to go through, explained Bell. \nTo learn more information about Theta Nu Xi or how to get involved in the sorority, contact them at tnx@indiana.edu or visit its national Web site at www.thetanuxi.org. \nFor the women of Theta Nu Xi, diversity comes second to the individual, Bell said.\n"We want to maintain our individuality but sill have a diverse sisterhood," Bell said. "We want to make sure no one feels left out and that everyone has a place to be."\n-- Contact staff writer Maggie Bozich at mbozich@indiana.edu.