Business fraternities induct new members

Two greek organizations on campus share the goal of developing their members both socially and professionally. \nThe co-ed business fraternities Alpha Kappa Psi and Delta Sigma Pi completed their induction ceremonies this week. With roughly 60 greek organizations at IU, these fraternities strive to be different from all the rest. \n“First of all, most fraternities don’t have the real professional aspects like all of the workshops and professional developments things that we do for all our members,” said Alpha Kappa Psi member and IU senior David Campbell.\nLast year’s special events for Delta Sigma Pi consisted of several guest speakers, including Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson and business roundtable discussions, said Delta Sigma Pi Vice President junior Tina Wink. \nAlpha Kappa Psi holds various self-improvement workshops throughout the year for its members on topics such as interviewing skills, resume writing and professional wardrobe. \nTo become a member of a business fraternity, a student must be pursuing a business major or minor or have a business-related major. Members must also have three full semesters left as an undergraduate upon induction and are required to complete casual and professional interviews. A 2.8 grade point average is also an important requirement for people who are thinking about pledging for Alpha Kappa Psi.\nUnlike most fraternities, neither of these business fraternities have “fraternity houses” on campus. \n“The non-residential aspect is also nice,” junior Val Agnew said, a current membership chair in Alpha Kappa Psi. “It is not as binding; we separate our lives from Alpha Kappa Psi if we need to, even though I do see my friends outside of Alpha Kappa Psi events. It really is my decision, and a lot of us to live do live together, but it’s by our own choice.”\nAlong with not having an official house, Wink said that what makes Delta Sigma Pi stand out from the other greek houses on campus is that their fraternity is diverse, especially since it is co-ed. \n“The difference is the brotherhood, which is impossible to explain until you see it,” senior Katie Krengel, president of Delta Sigma Pi, said.\nThe process to join either organization is similar to that required to join standard Greek organizations, which typically consists of participating rush week. Alpha Kappa Psi and Delta Sigma Pi will have another rush week during the first week of January 2008.\nAnother benefit of joining a business fraternity rather than a non-business Greek organization is the long list of alumni who hold jobs business students might be interested in, Campbell said.\n“... It’s such a great organization. It’s been the best decision that I have made in college,” Campbell said. “I met so many great people and have learned so much about so many different things. It’s been a great way to get involved.”