Theta Phi Alpha Beta Gamma News
From Fairleigh Dickinson University to All of You
Happy 27th Anniversary to Beta Gamma! From February 28, 1988 to Now And Still Going Strong!
Now Introducing Beta Gamma 2015 E-Board
On February 8th, the Installment of Officers Ritual took place. At this time, the Beta Gamma Chapter took the time and gave recognition to the old E-Board (President, Melissa Ventresca Vice President, Michelle Bernabeo Treasure, Devin Massih Risk Management, Kimberly Martin New Member Educator, Amanda Spence Secretary, Alicia Bera Recruitment, Kristen Daunt ) for their hard work and various services to the fraternity. At this time, the new E-Board was introduced to their new positions (President, Felicia Lynch Vice President, Jessica Cruz Treasure, Nicole Gilmore Risk Management, Jacqueline Dezic New Member Educator, Stephanie Petrosino Secretary, Caileigh McConnell Recruitment, Lillian Evenson). As always, it was a beautiful moment when Melissa Ventresca pinned Felicia Lynch with the Presidential Badge. The Beta Gamma Chapter is excited to encourage and support the New E-Board.
Recruitment Brings New Beginnings
Change and regulation is taking place within the Fairleigh Dickinson University at Florham this Spring 2015 recruitment. The changes taking place affect the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) organizations and the potential new members (PNM) interested in Greek Life. The NPC are promoting changes in the recruitment process to encourage a healthier Greek community.
Under the guidance and supervision of Michelle LaPlantney, a Theta Phi Alum and Sarah Azavedo, Director of Student Life, regulations took place this recruitment season. Michelle LaPlantney said, “ FDU is one of between 9 to 12 campuses in the United States that don’t do it this way.” LaPlantney is referring to the fact that FDU does not follow the NPC regulated recruitment process. She explains how FDU current process leads to negative effects in the Greek community, such as having unbalanced sororities causing lack of unity. The new system is supposed to create an equal opportunity for the chapters and the new members during recruitment. Meanwhile, the old system harms PNM’s potential in receiving a bid, therefore, limiting women’s chances to be in Greek. “All the sororities closer in membership number, that’s the goal,” said Azavedo. She further explains the important in parity in a health Greek community, stemming from the practices of the NPC.
The numbers are regulated by the new system. This semester 136 women showed interest in Greek Life. With the requirements set by the University to take part in Greek Life, 116 ended up being eligible. The Rotation Nights and Invitation Night is the same as previous years. The difference that occurred is that after Invitation Night PNM’s had to fill out a Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement. This form explains and asks the PNM’s to sign off on the following; they are willing to accept an invitation to membership from the sororities that they have listed on the agreement. Preferences order cannot be changed, added or deleted. This explains if they do not receive an invitation to membership from an organization that they have listed, they are still eligible for continuous bidding. Once submitting this agreement, they are bound by the NPC that if they receive an invitation to membership from an organization that they have listed and then do not accept then they will be ineligible to pledge until the next formal recruitment. The PNM’s are also given the option to not submitting an agreement. Based on the order of preferences given by the PNM at the end of Invitation Night, the PNM’s are matched and given one invitation of membership on Bid Day.
The number of PNM’s that filled out this agreement was 96. Therefore, setting quota at 24. The final number of women, who fill out the Membership Agreement form, divided by the number of sororities on campus, being four, in this case, calculates quota. Once the quota is decided, each organization must then create two bid lists, list A, and list B. List A consist of the 24 women that an organization wishes to extend a bid. These are the organizations top picks. Meanwhile, list B contains women whom the sorority can see in the chapter but not at the amplitude of list A. This B list is ranked in preference order. These two lists are required because of the matching system that is being implemented with the new NPC recruitment system. This matching system if based off two components. The Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement and the sororities bid lists.
This upcoming Fall 2015 recruitment process will reflect the normal, informal proceedings. This informal recruiting is similar to the Fraternities on campus. With quota being implemented campus total is established. Campus total is the total number of women one organization can have within the sorority. Total is determined by the largest organization on campus sets total, and therefore cannot recruit new members until the spring semester. In the spring semester, total is reset and quota is applied again. The upcoming Fall 2015 recruitment Zeta Tau Alpha has set and reached total and will not be able to recruit until Spring 2016.
Beta Gamma 2015 Recruitment Video
The Arrival of the Beta Deltas
Nicolette Barr
Julia Bilbao
Hi, my name is Julia Bilbao and I am a psychology elementary education major. I’m from Staten Island New York, and a freshmen here at FDU. I’m a part of the new member Beta Delta class and I am so excited to be a part of Theta Phi Alpha. I love country music, if thats the only music I had to listen to I would be satisfied. I also really love art, but haven't really drawn much since high school. When I’m not hanging out with all my friends I love to watch Friends on Netflix —its an obsession. I’m really excited to be a part of Theta Phi Alpha, my new home, because I feel immediately welcomed and loved by each and every sister and it makes me so excited that I’m getting to meet all these beautiful new women in my life.
Kayleigh Corn
Hi! My name is Kayleigh Corn and I am a freshman theatre major with a concentration in musical theatre. I am from Washington Township, New Jersey. I am so so excited to be a part of Theta Phi Alpha! I love to sing, dance , act, and travel. I love everything Disney and would really love to work there some day! My favorite animal is a giraffe so I have a ton of giraffe themed items! I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of something so special!
Kayla Cursi
Brittany Earley
Danielle Fabian
Sara Giacomini
Hi! My name is Sara Giacomini and I am a Junior musical theatre major at FDU. I spent last semester travelling the world and studying in Wroxton, England. I am so excited to be back at FDU. I am very involved in the theatre department and our theatre club, Fairleigh Dramatics. When I am not onstage or working on a production I love doing service (this summer will be my 7th trip to serve the less fortunate in West Virginia), hanging out with my family or playing with my dogs! I love animals, music, theatre, people, giving back, the beach, and just having fun and relaxing with my friends.
Devin Kehoe
Devin Kehoe was born and raised in Rutherford, New Jersey. She has one older brother. Devin's mom attended FDU and graduated in 1992 with a degree in Graphic Design. Devin is currently studying Behavioral Neuroscience and plans to pursue a career in animal behavior, because of her love for animals.Devin's favorite color is orange and she enjoys anything outdoorsy. Her preferred genre of music is alternative rock/indie. Devin is looking forward to traveling the country and being part of the sisterhood that's ever loyal and everlasting, Theta Phi Alpha. (Yes, Devin meant to write this in the third person).
Dori Killeen
Brittany Lisboa
Hello! I’m Brittany Lisboa! I am a Sophomore and psychology major here at FDU. I am a new member of Theta Phi Alpha and I can honestly say this is one of the most exciting moments in my life. My absolute favorite color ever is pink and my favorite candies are peanut M&M’s and Swedish fish. One of my biggest dreams is to go to Africa on a missionary trip to help people in need; maybe help build a school or help teach the children something new. Career-wise, I aspire to work with addicts, I am hoping to maybe become an addiction counselor and work my way up. One day I would like to get my PHD, and work at a VA hospital and work with veterans who have turned to addiction to help cope with their issues. I’m just a normal girl with big goals and with one step at a time, one day at a time, I believe I can get closer and closer to my dreams.
Joelle Magliato
My name is Joelle Magliato and I am really excited to be a new member in the Beta Delta class. I am from Eatontown, NJ. My major is Communication with a Public Relations concentration. With my major I want to publicize and plan large events.
Olivia Mazzaferro
Colleen McCabe
Maren McEvoy
Jenna Molins
Hi I’m Jenna Molins and I’m a freshman Beta Delta. I am a Criminology major from Lavallette, New Jersey (a tiny town next to Seaside Heights). I have been cheerleading since the fourth grade and am currently an FDU Devils Cheerleader. Along with cheerleading, I am also involved in campus ministry. From weekly bible studies to a five-day trip to Nashville, campus ministry is something I am very passionate about. Growing up, I was the second youngest out of 7 kids. Having a large family definitely has its benefits and since my family has just expanded I could not be any happier! I am so excited for the future ahead of me in Theta Phi Alpha.
Emily Noblesala
Hello! My name is Emily Noblesala. I'm from Queens, NY and a freshman here at FDU. I'm a math major in the Quest program as well as a student-athlete on the volleyball team. Other hobbies include dancing, playing the guitar and singing (in the shower). I also enjoy my fair share of Disney movies. I'm so excited to be a part of the theta phi family and share this experience with the other Beta Deltas!
Gabriella Perruso
Hello! My name is Gabriella Perruso, and I am so excited to be starting my journey into the world of Theta Phi Alpha! I am a freshman with an undeclared major and not much direction yet. I am trying to get a feel for what I should do with my life, and I'm hoping Theta Phi will help me follow my compass and where every it might point me. I come from a big family, so love, loyalty and respect is very important to me. My mom joked about why I would want any more siblings than I already have, and I couldn't think of one reason I wouldn't! I am very laid back and relaxed, I go with the flow of things and always have a smile along the way. I get along with everyone I meet, and I'm so excited to get finally to know all the sisters and everything they have to offer me. I'm all too excited to look back on this and wish I could go back to this moment after everything I'll experience, learn and value.
Samantha Quiles
Emily Reiman
I’m Emily Reiman and I am a second semester freshman at Fairleigh Dickinson. I am from Staten Island and previously went to an all-girl Catholic, high school. In high school, I played softball, tennis, participated in student government, and did many hours of community service. I come from a hard-working family of a father, mother, and two older brothers. Throughout my life, each of them has pushed me to do my best, and their push has paid off. I am now determined to become very involved on campus and keep up with my grades, and being in Theta Phi Alpha will help me do both. I chose Theta Phi Alpha because you can see the bond between sisters while walking on campus. Along with loving the girls I have met, I love the philanthropy, and it is an important cause that my whole family supports. Each girl has made me feel so welcome in my short time of being a new member so far. I am excited to participate in all that is to come in Theta Phi Alpha.
Katie Sempkowski
My name is Kathleen Tara Sempkowski, but I prefer to go by Katie for short. I was born on June 4th, 1996, blessing my mom and dad with their second child and first-bornrn daughter. I have an older brother, TJ, two younger sisters, Jenna and Paige, and an English Setter, Dozer. I’ve lived in Oceanport, New Jersey for my whole life, which is located in Central Jersey (and yes, that’s a thing). Being one of four, I’ve always appreciated a busy lifestyle. Sitting still is not one of my best qualities, so when I came to FDU, I wanted to get as involved as possible. I am a member of FPC and AMA, I am a student ambassador for PDP, and I am a Devil’s cheerleader. Being a part of Theta Phi Alpha, though, is one of the best things that I’ve done since coming to campus. I love the immediate sense of welcome that I received from all the sisters when I first walked into our room on Bid Day. I am beyond excited to not only spend the next four years with these girls, but the rest of my life.
Lauren Shields
Hi I'm Lauren Shields, and I'm a freshman at Fairleigh Dickinson University! I'm a musical theatre major, a dance minor, and I am planning on declaring a double major in directing! I was born in Connecticut, and I moved to Long Island, New York when I was two! I love to sing and take pictures! I also love love love Disney!! I am so happy to say that I am a new member of Theta Phi Alpha and I cannot wait to see what being a part of this sorority has in store for me! Every girl is so sweet and amazing, and while rushing I knew these girls felt like home to me! :)
Lauren Sturm
I'm Lauren Sturm, and I'm from Randolph, NJ (and even though it's only 15 minutes from here, I live on campus because what's college without living in a dorm?!). I'm super excited to be a part of Theta Phi Alpha because even after just a few days, I know that it's going to be my second home and second family. I also love that it gives me a new way to bond with my (biological) sister! I am so excited to make amazing memories that will last a lifetime and to meet people who will be there for me through all of the ups and downs of life. Okay so first of all, I hate when people ask what I do in my free time because a) I have none and b) I don't really know what I do, but I'll answer the question anyway because it's for Theta Phi, and I love Theta Phi. So I guess I would say that I love going out and spending time with my friends, watching hockey (NJ Devils to be specific), shopping, and simply spending relaxing nights in watching movies with the girls in my suite! If I'm doing any of these things on a free night, then I am one happy girl!
So that's me, Lauren Sturm :)
Emily Young
The Beta Delta's Welcomed Home
New Member Educator, Stephanie Petrosino and Co New Member Educator, Courtney Fottrell welcome the new members into the organization on Bid Day. Look at those beautiful and excited faces!
Alum Spotlights and Snaps
For the March edition of the Newsletter, I would love to feature any of you lovely ladies. Please contact me with any highlights, accomplishments, and or announcements. Please email me at Thetaphialum1988@gmail.com.
I would also like to start sending Snaps to each other and between the Chapter. Snaps are little words of encouragement or shoutouts to others sisters. This is something the Beta Gamma Chapter has been doing at meeting for the past 4 years at least. Do you know when snaps got started? If you do please let me know this would be interesting to see how this meeting tradition was started.
Throw up What You Know But You Should Know This
Leadership Consultant Visit
Monday, Mar 23, 2015, 12:00 AM
FDU, Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ, United States
Sapphire Man Week
Monday, Apr 6, 2015, 12:00 AM
FDU, Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ, United States
Founder's Day
Saturday, Apr 18, 2015, 05:00 PM
FDU, Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ, United States
Semi Formal
Friday, May 1, 2015, 07:00 PM
Wyndham Hamilton Park Hotel and Conference Center, Park Avenue, Florham Park, NJ, United States
About Beta Gamma
Email: Thetaphialum1988@gmail.com
Website: http://thetaphialphabetagamma.celect.org/home
Location: 285 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ, United States
Phone: 610-844-8398
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Theta-Phi-Alpha-FDU/534282626652243
Twitter: @ThetaPhiFDU