Kappa Gamma Delta looking for ‘social, dedicated’ women

While many might think of sorority recruitment as a stream of preference rounds and screaming, the members of Kappa Gamma Delta go for something more low-key.

Last week was spring rush week for Kappa Gamma Delta, IU’s Asian-interest sorority. The week included open events for potential new members to meet members of the sorority in a relaxed setting.

Morgan Hartig, recruitment chair of Kappa Gamma Delta, said last week’s events started with a party with brother fraternity Lambda Alpha Phi and included a game night, bubble tea at Chow Bar and a hot pot, a traditional Asian meal.

“The girls ask questions and find out what it’s like to be a part of us,” Hartig said. “These rush events give the girls a chance to see how we are actively participating with each other.”

Interested women submitted applications Monday. Applications will be reviewed by active members, who are looking for specific types of women to join.

“We look for girls who are social and want to open up,” Hartig said. “We want someone who is really dedicated and wants to be in a small sorority.”

President Cellini Tan said she’s looking for people who are interested in teamwork.
“We want people who want to share the experience of sisterhood,” Tan said.

In addition, Hartig said Kappa Gamma Delta requires new members to have at least a 3.0 GPA because the sorority’s mission statement emphasizes academics. The sorority, which is an Alpha chapter, was founded at IU in 1997.

This week, active Kappa Gamma Delta members will select candidates from their applicant pool for interviews.

Then, after completing their interviews, a pledge class will be selected.

Hartig and Tan both said the interview is the most difficult part of the process for new members. Both remember being nervous when they were the interview subjects.

“It was something I really wanted to do and wanted to be in,” Tan said. “It’s a nervous process.”

Much of the nervousness is a result of how interviews are conducted by active members.

“We’re very serious,” Hartig said. “This isn’t something we want them to take lightly.”
Because Kappa Gamma Delta is a small sorority with 18 active members and doesn’t have a house like Panhellenic sororities, Hartig said the informal rush week and formal interview fits their recruitment goals best.

“Our rush events are like our social events,” Hartig said. “We are a very close, very active sorority.”

Classes of new members can be as small as two women and as large as eight, Hartig said. She said Kappa Gamma Delta has recruitment in both the fall and spring, and fall recruitment is more successful than spring recruitment because people are usually busier in the spring.

After initiation, new members will join their sisters in planning KGD Week, April 13 to 16. The week of events culminates with Mr. and Ms. Asia, a fashion, culture and talent competition.

Looking back on rush week, Tan said she is hopeful for the new class of potential members.

“Our goal is that girls come to meet us and get to know us more,” Tan said. “We always hope they do that. I’ve been seeing that, so it was a good rush week.”