Sisters in Diversity: Inside Theta Nu Xi, IU's multicultural sorority

Senior Nilaja Neely planned to participate in greek sorority recruitment a few years ago. She got as far as the bus stop and changed her mind at the last minute. \n"I went home, took off my heels and watched TV," Neely said.\nHer friends were from a variety of backgrounds, and they didn't want to be split up in different sororities. They began to research multicultural organizations. When they couldn't find a local chapter that seemed to fit, they decided to bring a new sorority to campus.\nIn May 2004, Neely and six of her friends founded the Upsilon chapter of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. at IU. The sorority now has six members, all seniors. For the women of Theta Nu Xi, diversity means more than including many races. They believe being multicultural involves every facet of life, including religion, political affiliation, family background and other characteristics that make people unique.\nTreasurer Candice Horton said she didn't want to be a member of a traditionally African-American or white sorority. Horton was born in Washington, D.C., and lived in Germany for 3 1/2 years.\n"I didn't want to be the black girl in an all-white sorority, and joining an all-black sorority would be me doing what everyone expected me to do," she said. "The multiculturalism is what I feel like my life is all about. \n"I look at our sorority and think it's a culture shock to the IU greek community. We are making a huge impact on the way people see diversity at IU, especially in the greek system because it's so segregated."\nSenior Liz Klasek said she wasn't the kind of person who would join a sorority. \n"I realized that this sorority has a clear-cut mission that I agree with, promoting multiculturalism and service to the community," she said. "Multiculturalism is being open-minded and hearing what people different than you have to say."\nThe sisters regularly attend cultural events in Bloomington and on campus. Last Thursday, they went to the "Homosexuality in the Black Church" dialogue at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. Afterward, they walked outside and were verbally assaulted by four white males. \n"What are you doing with them?" she said one male yelled. \nThe man was referring to Klasek, a white woman with three of her black sorority sisters. \n"We wanted to know why he said that, and he was dodging the issue," Klasek said. "His friends were trying to apologize for him. You can't change people's minds, but if they see the fact that I'm white and I'm in a multicultural sorority, it's going to have a better impact than if we just tell people to be multicultural." \nAfter the incident, the sisters reaffirmed the need for their presence on campus. \n"We haven't made as many strides past segregation or racism as we think we have," Neely said.\nSo far this semester, they have had an information table at the Asian Culture Center's welcome reception, attended Festival Latino and had planned to attend the Multicultural Festival, which was cancelled due to rain. \nTheta Nu Xi will hold a couch-a-thon in conjunction with the Multicultural Greek Council Wednesday to raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims. Hawkins said members will be collecting money seated on a couch from 11 a.m. to 5 p..m. at the corner of 10th Street and Jordan Avenue. \nNeely said the sisters will participate in the "Diversity in Bloomington" event Thursday at the Helene G. Simon \nHillel Center.\nThey are also co-sponsoring "The Art of Saying 'No'" Oct. 5 at the Asian Culture Center. They will discuss how women can stay safe and get out of uncomfortable or dangerous situations. \nThe women have previously collaborated with the Sigma Lambda Gamma and Gamma Phi Omega sororities during National Women's History month. \nOne of the original founding members, Brittany Bell, went with her sorority sisters to northwest Indiana to speak to high school students about attending college. \n"We told them this is tangible. Look at the people who have done this already," she said. They passed out Free Applications for Federal Student Aid forms and answered students' questions. \nLocally, women of Theta Nu Xi are involved with a mentorship program called Unique Ladies Inspiring Youth, which serves about 10 girls at Bloomington High School North. Hawkins explained that they discuss various topics, such as health and leadership. \nBloomington North Assistant Principal Marcus Debro said the mentoring program has made positive impact on those involved. \n"I'm a firm believer in mentoring, especially when you have members of an accomplished group like this sorority meeting with young girls," he said.\nMarcus said he met with school counselors to pick students they thought would benefit from the program.\n"We have a school that represents Monroe county," he said. "It's very diverse, not only in skin color but economic levels, and we'd like to include a wide range of students." \nHe said the students have been excited about the program since it began. \nTheta Nu Xi tenets include scholarship, service, sisterhood, leadership and multiculturalism. The sisters said interested potential members should be hardworking and ready to promote multiculturalism.\nAmber Hawkins, dean of intake for Theta Nu Xi, said the week of events will include programs that highlight their tenets. IU women will have an opportunity to get to know the sisters and see if the sorority is right for them.\n"The process is a little more personalized," Bell said. "You get a one-on-one chance to interact with the sisters and ask questions about the sorority."\nNeely explained the sisters make getting to know everyone a top priority.\n"If I want to call someone my sister, I want it to feel like she's my sister," Neely said. \nThey do this before new members are inducted. \n"There's no 'let's all move in together and start bonding,' because we've already had that," Hawkins said.\nAll women are invited to their week of events. \n"We love everyone, there's no quota," Horton said. \nKlasek said her IU experience has been enriched because she's a member of Theta Nu Xi. \n"We're not your typical sorority, in that we have girls from all walks of life," Klasek said. "We have girls who I know I would never have crossed paths with otherwise." \nNeely wants all women to feel welcome and get involved.\n"We're trying to break the barriers and bridge the gap between the cultural groups."\nTo learn more about Theta Nu Xi, visit http://www.indiana.edu/~tnx.