Tri Sigma Foundation

Start off your week with some great study tips from one of our Sigma Scholars – Kelsey Schrimpf, Epsilon Beta. Follow along on social media using #SigmaScholars #MonthoftheScholar

“What I have found to be the most effective is to teach the material to a friend or family member. While explaining it, you will gain a deeper understanding of the material.

Another fun way to learn difficult subjects is to find videos on the topic. This is especially helpful in understanding the subject from another aspect. Crash Course is a good YouTube channel that I resort to often.

Motivation to study is hard to develop. Thanks to my mom, however, who recently made a wager with me, studying has become more of a fun little competition. Now, for every two hours that I study, my mom has promised to exercise for 20 minutes. Having an accountability buddy (although for different goals) is the best way to go!”

Join us in congratulating our 2016 accredited chapters!

Pillar 4

• Alpha Chi
• Alpha Iota
• Alpha Pi
• Alpha Zeta
• Beta Delta
• Beta Xi
• Chi
• Delta Pi
• Epsilon Rho
• Eta Kappa
• Eta Theta
• Eta Xi
• Gamma Beta
• Gamma Pi
• Gamma Xi
• Nu
• Omicron
• Pi
• Theta Gamma
• Zeta Alpha
• Zeta Kappa

Pillar 3

• Alpha
• Alpha Phi
• Alpha Rho
• Alpha Theta
• Alpha Upsilon
• Beta Epsilon
• Beta Tau
• Beta Theta
• Delta Upsilon
• Epsilon Alpha
• Epsilon Chi
• Epsilon Eta
• Epsilon Iota
• Epsilon Nu
• Epsilon Phi
• Epsilon Pi
• Eta Beta
• Eta Pi
• Eta Upsilon
• Eta Zeta
• Gamma Zeta
• Theta Alpha
• Theta Beta
• Theta Delta
• Theta Zeta
• Zeta Gamma
• Zeta Lambda
• Zeta Pi
• Zeta Psi

Pillar 2

• Alpha Alpha
• Alpha Beta
• Alpha Delta
• Alpha Epsilon
• Alpha Mu
• Alpha Omicron
• Alpha Psi
• Alpha Xi
• Beta Alpha
• Beta Pi
• Delta Beta
• Delta Delta
• Delta Eta
• Delta Omicron
• Delta Psi
• Delta Theta
• Delta Zeta
• Epsilon Beta
• Epsilon Delta
• Epsilon Epsilon
• Epsilon Gamma
• Epsilon Kappa
• Epsilon Omicron
• Epsilon Psi
• Epsilon Tau
• Epsilon Theta
• Eta Alpha
• Eta Chi
• Eta Eta
• Eta Lambda
• Eta Nu
• Eta Omicron
• Eta Phi
• Eta Psi
• Eta Sigma
• Eta Tau
• Gamma Lambda
• Gamma Mu
• Gamma Psi
• Gamma Rho
• Lambda
• Mu
• Psi
• Theta Eta
• Theta Theta
• Zeta Chi
• Zeta Delta
• Zeta Eta
• Zeta Theta
• Zeta Upsilon

Applications are now being accepted for Labyrinth Leadership Experience which will be held June 7-11, 2017. Click here to apply before the deadline on February 06 2017 at 11:59 PM EST (Midnight).

Learn more about our leadership programs here.

These are the lessons the North-American Interfraternity Conference’s (NIC) Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI) imparts to almost 1,000 fraternity and sorority undergraduates in its 14 sessions throughout the summer. Sigma Sigma Sigma is proud to have been a part
of the program’s success by being one of the UIFI’s top scholarship providers in 2016.

UIFI is a five-day institute that brings together fraternity men and sorority women to create opportunities to explore, define and enhance their leadership skills, personal awareness, commitment to their fraternity or sorority and grow to expect values-based action from themselves and those they lead. At UIFI, participants are given the skills to improve their own leadership abilities and positively affect their chapter, council and community

In 2016, 943 students from 298 colleges and universities attended UIFI. This interfraternal program saw participants from 118 fraternities and sororities, including 38 Sigma Sigma Sigma sisters.
Last year, Sigma Sigma Sigma provided scholarships for 23 members to attend UIFI, and the impact on our undergraduates who attended is tangible.“I had the ability to look at the true root of not only my chapter’s issues by my campus’ as well,” Erica Johnson (Pi, Emporia State University) said. “I believe this experience changed my life forever, and I hope that Tri Sigma continues to offer this scholarship.”

Our sisters who participated in UIFI will return to campus this fall prepared to make a positive difference in their chapter and fraternity and sorority community.
“Words cannot begin to explain how empowered, inspired and aware I feel after these few shorts days,” Kristy Pardo (Epsilon Chi, Northeastern University) said. “I have been able to really understand not only what it means to be a Tri Sigma but also a sorority woman.”

Students reported positive gains in leadership skills, commitment and confidence.

• 97.37% reported they are a better leader because of UIFI.
• 97.65% reported that as a result of UIFI, they are going to positively impact their chapter.
• 96.78% reported that as a result of UIFI, they are going to positively impact their community.

Click here to learn more about the impact of UIFI. Applications are due February 27th, Midnight EST. Click here to apply.

By Megan Bodiford, Epsilon Zeta

Can you believe there is about a month left until finals week? Don’t panic! Here are a few tips to help you to deal with stress during finals week.

1. Plan ahead. If your university sends out the final exam week in advance, print it off and highlight what days and times your finals are. This will give you an idea of what your priorities need to be when studying.
2. Start studying as soon as possible. According to psychology theories, our brains are not wired to retain information from simply cramming the night before. The brain needs repeated exposure far enough in advance so it can access information quicker and easier. This means you should start preparing now! Any studying you do in advance will be extremely helpful during finals week.
3. Make a schedule for the week. The easiest way to do this is in Microsoft Excel, Apple’s Numbers app or Google Sheets. Create color-coded time blocks for your exams and other commitments, and then prioritize your study time accordingly. Make sure you schedule time for sleep and eating, too! Here’s an example: 
4. Take breaks and study for short time periods. Don’t overwhelm yourself with all-nighters and six-hour library trips.  Study for 45 minutes to an hour, then reward yourself with a 10-minute break. This is much more effective than studying for a long period of time with a wandering mind. During your break eat a light snack, get up, stretch and get your blood flowing. This will wake up your mind and get you prepared for your next study period.
5. Take time to relax and de-stress. Take a bath, read a book, listen to some music, do something to take your mind off of studying and school for a few minutes each day. Doing so will allow your mind to refresh and be ready for the next exam and help you maintain your sanity!

By: Maya Narang, Eta Zeta

Eta Zeta members Rachel Eytalis and Mackenzie Fox campaign for a state hazing law at the University of Alaska-Anchorage during National Hazing Prevention Week.

Chapter members at Eta Zeta, University of Alaska-Anchorage, have known for a long time there are six states without a state hazing law, including Alaska.

Sisters decided this semester was the time for Alaska to create a law addressing hazing. As a sorority at the University of Alaska-Anchorage, we have always been held to anti-hazing standards by our values and university regulations; however, it has never been surprising to know that hazing persisted on our campus.

Every year for National Hazing Prevention Week, chapter members have done their best to spread the word and pledge to not haze members, but this year the chapter wanted to try something bigger. Digging into the laws of other states, chapter members found there are many different penalties for hazing. One state we admired in particular was Colorado, where hazing is a class 3 misdemeanor. The chapter brainstormed about how they could bring a penalty like this to their state.

Hazing Prevention Week set the perfect stage. As a chapter, sisters campaigned to create awareness and ultimately end hazing. Gathering support from students and staff of the university was the first step. From there, they lobbied legislators for support. The chapter is now waiting for state legislators to respond so they can help Tri Sigma put an end to hazing in Alaska.

Tri Sigma chapters across the country celebrated character during CC! Week last month. Some celebrated by hosting programs during chapter meetings. Other chapters spread kindness throughout their campuses and communities. Read on to learn how different chapters chose to celebrate CC! Week and note ideas your chapter could use next year!

Alpha Beta, Kent State University:

Alpha Beta members created notes about issues they were struggling with during CC! Week as a reminder about the need to be compassionate to one another.

Erykah-Nicole Scruggs organized Alpha Beta’s CC! Week activities, focused on the six pillars of character and compassion. Sisters made chocolate-covered Oreos and delivered them to 24 chapters on Kent State University’s campus to brighten their week. Through the delivery of the cookies, the Alpha Beta chapter spread awareness of Character Counts and showed compassion to the entire Greek community.

Scruggs held events each night in the sorority house, in which sisters would attend and participate in activities. Through group activities and discussions about responsibility and respect, the chapter learned how to have a strong, positive character. Chapter members also reviewed how to act when they hear something about another sister, what to do when they have an item that needs returned to its correct place in a store, and how to show compassion to all sisters.

On the final day of CC! Week, Scruggs had sisters anonymously write on a piece of paper something they were struggling with and needed their sisters help with, then displayed those in the chapter house. This emphasized to the chapter how to show compassion to their sisters.

Alpha Epsilon, Northwest Missouri State University:

Kramer Ragsdale and Kaitlyn King, Alpha Epsilon, display a message about character during Character Counts! Week.

Members Avree Sealey and Kaitlyn King coordinated daily events for Alpha Epsilon’s celebration of CC! Week. Monday’s theme was Compassion Across Campus (Caring and Citizenship). Members decorated posters detailing what character means to Tri Sigma, and placed these on public bulletin boards.

Alpha Epsilon members wrote character-focused notes and posted them around their campus as part of CC! Week.

On Tuesday, members celebrated what character means to them personally on social media with a “Humans of New York”-style photo shoot. Sisters celebrated trustworthiness on Wednesday with “Touch a Sigma Who.” Small groups of sisters performed Random Acts of Kindness on Thursday, which included leaving a dollar taped to a vending machine, giving water to joggers, leaving post-it notes around campus, buying coffee for a stranger and smiling at 10 strangers.

Alpha Phi, Central Michigan University:

The chapter held two different activities during CC! Week. The first was a letter writing session where each member wrote a letter to a person who has had a great impact on the person and helped develop the member’s character. The chapter collected these to mail out on behalf of members.

Sisters were also tasked with performing two random acts of kindness during the week, and leaving behind a Sigma Pay It Forward card. Member Amanda Yats said she purchased a coffee for a colleague at work and left behind one of the cards. The next day, the colleague said he paid it forward by purchasing coffee for someone else.

Alpha Rho, Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania:

Alpha Rho showcased Character Counts! during an open recruitment event. The chapter opened the event with explanation and an open discussion about what it means to be a woman of character. Members and potential new members worked in groups to create posters with words of wisdom and what it means to have good character. The chapter displayed the posters around campus to show what it means to have good character.

Alpha Theta, Radford University:

Instead of regulating the Character Counts! celebration to just one week, Alpha Theta used the entire month of October to show the importance of character and what it means to Tri Sigma. Throughout the month, sisters left notes around campus with kind and uplifting messages.  Some left dollar bills on vending machines with a message reading, “Enjoy a treat on us! Love, Tri Sigma.” Other sisters left extra change in parking meters with a note saying, “Enjoy the extra minutes! Love, Tri Sigma.”

Beta Epsilon, Western Illinois University:

Courtney Brown, Beta Epsilon, shows off some of the positive notes she posted on campus during CC! Week.

Libby Weaver and Rachel Shive, Beta Epsilon’s Dunham Women of Character Institute attendees, presented a Character Counts! educational to the chapter. The program reviewed how the six pillars of character relates to the values of Sigma. The chapter celebrated the week by spreading positive notes with encouraging messages around campus.

Mu, Truman State University:

Sydney Spain, the chapter’s Dunham Women of Character Institute delegate, planned several activities for CC! Week.  Sydney challenged every member to sum up their legacy into a single sentence. The members also reflected on what Truman’s campus would say about the chapter, as well as what they would want them to say, and to think of ways to bridge the difference.

Throughout the week, each pillar of character was spotlighted on the chapter’s Instagram account, along with a nominated member who lives out that pillar well in their daily life. This was encouraging for not only the women who were nominated, but gave every member the opportunity to personify the pillars and recognize role models within our sisterhood.

Sisters were also charged with performing a “Pay it Forward” act of kindness within the chapter or the community. Stories were told of sisters taking care of each other when they were ill, giving cdes to familiar faces they saw walking to class, helping a sister with a broken-down vehicle, picking up books a Truman student had dropped, and many more. The acts were contagious and brought a giving spirit to Mu’s sisterhood for the week and hopefully beyond.hard

Pi, Emporia State University:

Pi chapter members celebrated CC! Week with a night of character-focused activities they completed together. The leadership co-chairs created posters with the six pillars of character to hang in the chapter’s study room in their house. Members wrote notes with the names of sisters who best represent a certain pillar of character.

The chapter also completed a compassion activity titled “If You Were in my Shoes You Would Know…” Each member anonymously wrote down two issues or struggles they are currently facing on separate pieces of paper and placed them in a pile. Then each member picked up two random pieces of papers and the chapter sat in a circle and read them to each other. The chapter asked processing questions about how this activity relates to character and how to find commonalities between sisters. The leadership chairs of the chapter reported the activity being a great success, with members unexpectedly having deep moments with one another.

The chapter closed the night with fun and light-hearted activity, “Touch a Sigma Who,” a program available on Sigma Connect.

Epsilon Epsilon, Stockton U:niversity

Epsilon Epsilon member Dara Baker hands out goodie bags during CC! Week.

Epsilon Epsilon celebrated CC! Week by giving out free goodie bags on campus. The bags were filled with candy and motivational quotes all about character. The chapter used the bags to spread a little positivity around campus.

Epsilon Zeta, Southern Arkansas University:

The Epsilon Zeta Chapter baked cookies and delivered them to campus staff during CC! Week.

The chapter held a character retreat to kickoff CC! Week, facilitated by Essential Sigma Advisor and Character Counts! Advocate Missy Martin. Sisters bonded while learning about the six pillars of character and different ways to demonstrate character every day. During the week, members baked and delivered cookies to their on-campus advisor, Fraternity/Sorority Advisor and Director of Student Activities. Members also chalked the campus with inspiring and encouraging messages to make the students smile.  Pictures of the messages started popping up on social media and everyone loved the idea.

Eta Kappa, Texas Women’s University:

The chapter’s Dunham representative gave handouts about the six pillars at chapter meeting to kick off the week. Throughout the week, members wore a different colored shirt, depending on the day/pillar and then also posted a picture or “selfie” for CC! Week. Along with the picture, each member would write a little phrase about the pillar and use the CC! Week hashtags, along with #TWUTriSigma so the chapter could keep track of what they were posting. The chapter worked to inspire conversations both on campus and online about character.

By Jessica Cummings, Eta Nu

How can we make sure our sisters are succeeding academically and setting aside enough time for their studies? With each of us juggling countless responsibilities such as jobs, internships, other clubs or organizations, and personal and familial obligations, it can sometimes become hard to balance everything while ensuring that scholarship is our number one priority.

The Eta Nu Chapter of Ramapo College of New Jersey has been seeking to address these common dilemmas we all face as busy college students. We have recently implemented a scholarship program that encourages members to keep academics at the top of their to-do lists. The newest scholarship program that is certainly making a positive impact is the use of Study Buddies.

Eta Nu has started using Study Buddies to encourage sisters to study together. Education Director Marissa Martin grouped sisters based on their majors. Everyone in the chapter has a built-in study group to reach out to and study with at all times, which is the perfect way to cope with the stress of midterms and finals!

Marissa is very excited about Study Buddies and thinks they’re definitely a step in the right direction for Eta Nu.

“Study Buddies give sisters the opportunity to seek help from other sisters within the same major or minor,” Marissa said. “It allows them to ask for help when it comes to studying or writing an essay as well as getting advice on which professors and classes to take. It also allows sisters to collaborate with others whom they wouldn’t normally converse with.”

Study Buddies are a great resource for sisters to have on campus. Maybe there’s a big test coming up or a sister is unsure about which classes to register for. Just ask a Study Buddy! The chapter has already noted that sisters are working on assignments and studying together much more than in the past.

With this program, as well as many others, the chapter is working hard toward the goal of academic success. So far, Eta Nu has seen a lot of progress this semester and has gone from logging only 30 hours in the library per week to now logging more than 130 hours per week!

For the Tri Sigma who yearns to learn and live our mission, vision and values, the Labyrinth Leadership Experience provides a transformational, engaging and inter-generational experience for members to grow in their appreciation of the lifelong commitment associated with membership.

Announcing the Labyrinth Leadership Experience 2017

Location

The Labyrinth Leadership Experience begins in our Nation’s Capital, Washington, D.C., and culminates with a pilgrimage to the home of Tri Sigma, the Mabel Lee Walton House and National Headquarters in Woodstock, Virginia.

Information

Twenty participants will be selected to attend the 2017 Labyrinth Leadership Experience June 7-11, 2017.   If selected, the entire cost of the experience is covered through a generous grant from the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation and the Sigma Sigma Sigma National Organization.  Applications are due February 6, 2017!

Click here to apply.

A Labyrinth

A labyrinth is a universal symbol for twists and turns taken on the path of life.  Distinguished from a maze, within which one may become lost, the labyrinth has one way in and one way out.  There is no right or wrong way to “walk” or “travel” the labyrinth but to enter and walk it, one receives answers, challenges, creativity, an inner voice and inner wisdom.