Cheers to four years!

As another year comes to a close here at DePauw, we wanted to reflect on some of the amazing things our Panhellenic seniors have done. Each chapter has nominated one senior to be spotlighted here on our blog, but every single senior Panhellenic woman has changed our community in some way. Here's to you seniors! You will be missed!

Liz Weingartner-Alpha Chi Omega

Alpha Chi Omega’s Exceptional Senior is Elizabeth Weingartner.  Liz is graduating with a degree in Biochemistry.  She also has a minor in German.  She will be attending the University of Maryland in Baltimore and is pursuing a PhD in immunology.  Liz served as the President of Alpha Chi Omega in the past term.  She led the house with much grace, confidence and skill. She played an integral role in bringing the Miss Representation documentary film about women’s misrepresentation in the media to our chapter and organized the viewing of Miss Representation for DePauw as a whole.  Liz recently organized a 30^th anniversary and birthday party for our cook, Anita.  She organized the full event and worked to raise funds to give Anita the gift of a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  Liz is incredibly driven and not afraid to stand up for what she believes in.  Alpha Chi Omega and the DePauw community will miss her in the coming years, but is very excited to see what she will do in the future!

Kendall Quisenberry-Alpha Phi

Kendall is an incredible student, athlete, and sister. Despite her busy schedule and numerous commitments, Kendall always takes the time to invest in others' lives. She is someone that people enjoy being around because of her vibrant, genuine personality. She shares her love for life with those around her and she's never too busy to help a sister or friend. She is an English Writing major and an Education Studies minor. In her four years at DePauw, she has traveled to Ghana, Haiti, Nicaragua, France, taught English in Taiwan and learned so much from each experience. She swam for three years and was a conference champion. Kendall is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, Mortar Board and Order of Omega honor societies. She would consider receiving a Fulbright her biggest accomplishment in college. Kendall will be moving to Malaysia in January, and when she returns home she plans to go to grad school.  

Brittany Sievers-Delta Gamma

Delta Gamma is nominating Brittany Sievers as our Panhellenic Exceptional Senior. Brittany is a graduating Delta Gamma from Manchester, Indiana. She is majoring in Studio Art, and her work has been featured in several art shows. Many of her clay pieces were recently displayed in the Senior Art Show. In addition, she is on the varsity track team and has placed nationally in discus throwing. Currently, she is ranked 33^rd in the nation. She has been a leader in Delta Gamma, serving as the Director of Recruitment Records. Brittany is enthusiastic and committed, and she has been a wonderful member of her chapter.

Lee Harmon-Kappa Alpha Theta

Kappa Alpha Theta is proud to present Lee Harmon as an Exceptional Senior. Lee is a math major from St. Louis. Her warm personality embodies all of the values that Theta represents. As a leader of Greek InterVarsity, member of Mortar Board, and a star on the Track and Field team Lee has left a lasting impression on this campus. She unwaveringly dedicates herself to her faith, sport and academics. Always working late nights on her schoolwork, Lee is a great study buddy or perfect to lend an ear for a late night chat. Her scholastic hard work has paid off; being awarded the "Distinguished Woman in Math." Lee is supportive to all, and has spread her academic success to others as a Q Center tutor. Through her four years on this campus, Lee has branched out through the campus and enlightened many with her chipper smile and lighthearted charisma. Lee is friends with all, enemy to none, and can always put a smile on anyone's face at anytime.

Emily Eckert-Kappa Kappa Gamma

Kappa Kappa Gamma nominated Emily Eckert as the exceptional Panhellenic senior because she is an extremely kind person and a great role model in our house and on campus. She is always setting a great example for dedication to schoolwork by encouraging others to go to the library with her. She also encourages others to participate in other Greek organization's events on campus. Emily is passionate about Kappa and Panhellenic unity. 

Libby Harmon-Pi Beta Phi

Pi Beta Phi would like to nominate Libby Harmon as our Panhellenic Exceptional Senior. Libby has been not only a good friend to every girl in our house; she is the first person to offer her help to any sister in need. She is a kinesiology sports and exercise science major, turbo kick instructor, and offers her support in any event hosted by, or involving another sister. She actively supports multiple campus activities, always offering her assistance. She will be greatly missed and we are so proud that she is a member of our chapter. 

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

Its that time in the semester again. Its crunch time and Panhellenic wants you to make the most out of finals week! Here is a few study tips complied by out Director of Scholarship, Katherine Reichel. 

1. Study in chunks: Although it's tempting (and sometimes inevitable) cramming really isn't the best way to study. According to the Dartmouth Academic Skills Center, you should study in 20-50 minute increments and give yourself a 5 to 10 minute break between each session. For best results, study throughout one full week.

2. Listen to Mozart: Certain types of music, like Mozart's compositions -- which follow a 60 bpm pattern -- have been shown to activate both the right and left sides of the brain in listeners. Stimulation of both sides is linked with increased recall, and so listening while studying can help increase the likelihood that you will retain relevant information.

3. Alternate study spots: Earlier this year, the New York Times explained that rather than sticking to one study spot, you should switch things up when reviewing for exams.

4. Drink cocoa: Packed with antioxidants as well as cognitive and mood enhancers, the unadulterated cacao bean has been recently lauded as a superfood. But once it is processed into chocolate bars, cacao's healthy benefits are overpowered by sugar -- which will provide a spurt of energy followed by a longer crash. To take full advantage of the nutritious bean, dissolve a spoonful of organic cocoa into a hot milk of your choice and add cinnamon, espresso and cayenne pepper for optimal energy.

5. Form a study group: Study groups can motivate you to get started when it's hard to motivate yourself -- plus, explaining difficult concepts out loud will help you figure out what you understand and what you still need to go over, and getting a group together will allow you to divide and conquer definition of terms and explanations of concepts.

6. Prevent test anxiety: If mere mention of the phrase "final exam" makes your heart beat a little faster, mastering exam material may not be all you need to worry about. To calm yourself down -- and prevent from blanking during the test -- spend some time before the exam imagining yourself acing it. You also might want to induce stress while studying, and then practice quelling fear by taking deep breaths, focusing on what you know and keeping things (including the importance of the test) in perspective.

7. Jog around campus: Just 20 minutes of cardio a day can help improve your memory. And for those of you who can, cardio outside is even better -- taking a break in nature is more relaxing than taking a walk down a city street, which calls upon you to engage actively with your environment. But if it's freezing out and the gym is closed, you can always take a quick dance break.

8. Manage your time: By the time finals roll around, your time is precious -- every minute counts. Which is why scheduling is essential during the weeks (or days) prior to exams. So as not to go totally bonkers during this stressful time, make a realistic study schedule for yourself. Leave yourself time for breaks -- you'll be taking them anyway -- and be sure to prioritize according to which class you'll need to study for the most.

9. Go to office hours: Nobody ever wants to go to office hours, which is why professors and TAs are so happy whenever students do show up -- the trick is to go a few weeks before finals, when you are sure to have plenty of time to meet and discuss. Even if you only have one question, feedback from a professor will help you figure out what he/she thinks is most important, and will help you figure out what to focus on while studying.

10. Build on what you know: If you start by studying what you know and add more difficult or recent material as you proceed, you can associate new information with familiar material. Rather than taking on intimidating amounts of new information, this will ease you into a comprehensive review and ensure you don't forget basics.

11. Make it interesting: Just as it's harder to recall a list of 20 words than a 20-word sentence, it's harder to recall a list of boring facts than a story -- to help retain information, try to connect with whatever it is you're learning. Whether by using memory aids (like mnemonic devices) or making facts personal, bringing test material to life will make it much easier to remember.

HAPPY SPRING BREAK!

It’s that time of year again—Spring Break! Everyone’s favorite time to relax, spend time with friends, and take a break from the rigors of school. But before you go, here are some safety tips to help ensure you have a memorable Spring Break!

If you’re driving to your destination:

• Have your car serviced before you head out of town
• Bring jumper cables, gloves, a flashlight, and your AAA card in case of car trouble
• Take turns driving and whoever rides shotgun should stay awake to help the driver stay awake
• And of course, buckle up!

During your trip:

• Keep your money safe, only carry small bills, and go to the ATM in groups
• Have phone numbers for taxi companies or hotel shuttles as well as local emergency services
• Put your emergency contact information in your phone labeled as “ICE”
• Wear sunscreen and reapply often
• Stay with your group and travel in packs
• Don’t announce which hotel and/or room number you are staying in while in public
• People fall off balconies every year, so be careful!
• Pay attention to your surroundings

If you’ll be drinking:

• Drunks are the easiest targets, so party smart, be responsible, and look out for your friends
• STAY HYDRATED
• Signs of dehydration include dizziness, weakness, muscle spasms, passing out, confusion or having dark urine.
• The sun can maximize the effects of alcohol. Take a break by sitting in the shade and drinking lots of water
• Watch out for predatory drugs
• Common symptoms include extreme wooziness, confusion, difficulty standing, and slurring speech
• Never set your drink down, watch your drinks be made, don’t drink from common sources (pre-made punch, etc)
• Have a plan before you leave. Know where you are going and how you will get back to your hotel
• Make sure everyone gets back safe—no woman left behind!

Thank you Rae Winters, this month's guest blogger, for these amazing tips! 

Panhellenic Response to "There Ain't No Such Thing as Free Beer"

When I first read the blog “There Ain’t No Such Thing As Free Beer” I was speechless. Many of the women that this anonymous author is referring to, yes the ones who are “providing services” to fraternity men, are Panhellenic women. We understand that the article was stylistically exaggerated for greater effect, but rather than sounding like a hyperbole, it came across as a crude, ignorant, and a judgmental generalization of fraternity men and women. It is overly simplistic, black and white. There are many Panhellenic women, and women on campus in general, who choose to attend fraternity events that are extremely bright, remarkably involved, and highly respected individuals on campus. Your umbrella assumption of all women who attend fraternity events on the weekend completely disregards the true character of these women and the respect that they deserve under any circumstance, any time, and any place.

While the author might have good intentions by bringing up the issue of sexual assault and violence on campus, he/she does so through “slut shamming”. But the conversation that this author is trying to start on campus should not be inspired by shamming those who are most affected by this issue—the victim. To insinuate that it is the woman’s fault for being sexually assaulted is appalling, or to say that she is asking to be viewed as a sexual object just for stepping into a certain fraternity on campus is absurd.  Articles such as these create a community where victims of sexual assault feel intimidated or too ashamed to come forward.

Sexual assault is a serious and complex issue on this campus, not one to be generalized and over simplified, as we believe this article does. Education and awareness are the keys to PREVENTION, and as a Panhellenic Community we have taken it on as one of our goals to promote the efforts organizations and services on campus that work towards sexual violence education and intervention projects as well as the support services offered here on campus for victims. If you are out, whether you are at a bar, fraternity or duplex party, and you see something that doesn't look right, intervene. Below are some resources that we encourage you to look at and pass along to your sisters. Victims of sexual assault should feel the support of our community, not be shammed by articles such as “There Ain’t No Such Things As Free Beer”. Encourage your friends, sisters and fellow DePauw females to never feel ashamed to report a sexual assault or violence against them.

We would like the author of “No Such Thing As Free Beer” to feel free to contact Panhellenic if he/she would like to continue this conversation and hopefully come to a better understanding of each other’s viewpoint and plan of action. 

Feel free to comment your own response, reactions or feelings below.

Public Safety: 765-658-4261 or 911

Sexual Assault Survivors’ Advocate (SASA) 24/7: 765-658-4650/765-658-4261

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE): 765-658-4268/765-658-4261

Counseling Services: 765-658-4268

Women’s Center: 765-658-4173

Get Excited for Special Olympics!

Get excited for Special Olympics this Weekend! The Indiana Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament will be held at DePauw's Indoor Track and Field building March 9 & 10. Come out and support these amazing teams!

Saturday:
9:30 AM Registration
11:00 AM Games Begin
12:20 Opening Ceremonies
Games will be done by 6:00 PM
6:15-7:00 PM Pizza After Party
7:00 PM Watch the DePauw Women's Basketball game at Lilly Center

Sunday:
9:00 AM Registration
10:00 AM Games Being
Games done by 3:00 PM

Check out the schedule here!

Welcome to Recruitment!

Welcome to Recruitment! 

The Panhellenic Association's Recruitment Team is excited that you decided to participate in this opportunity and are looking forward to assisting you through the process!

You will be meeting lots of women over the course of the Alternate Events (which started yesterday and continue through tomorrow) as well as over the Formal Recruitment process (Thursday - Sunday). We hope that you remember to be yourself, be positive and keep an open mind. 

With that being said, we wanted to share with you the Potential New Members Bill of Rights as provided by the National Panhellenic Conference. Every Potential New Member participating in the Recruitment Process has the following rights:

1. The right to be treated as an individual
2. The right to be fully informed about the recruitment process
3. The right to ask questions and receive true objective answers from recruitment counselors (Rho Gammas) and members
4. The right to be treated with respect
5. The right to be treated as a capable and mature person without being patronized
6. The right to ask how and why and receive straight answers
7. The right to have and express opinions to recruitment counselors (Rho Gammas)
8. The right to have unbreakable confidentially when sharing information with recruitment counselors (Rho Gammas)
9. The right to make informed choices without undue pressure from others
10. The right to be fully informed about the binding agreements implicit in the preference card signing
11. The right to make one's own choices and decision and accept full responsibility for the results of the decision
12. The right to have a positive, safe, and enriching recruitment and new member experience

If at any time you have questions, please contact your Rho Gamma or the Panhellenic Recruitment Team. 

Best of luck to our Potential New Members and our chapters!