I believe the easiest way to describe Greek life at Oswego is that even though we are small compared to most schools, we make a big impact on each other and the community around us.
On the anniversary of 9/11, Kappa Sigma delivered baskets filled with a variety of goods to local first responders. Every Greek organization can agree it is important to give back to the community around us.
The brothers of Sigma Gamma took the time they had in quarantine to repaint their house on one of Oswego’s buisiest main streets. They paired up with the Oswego Renaissance Association and Bullseye Paint to get the project done. The men hope this is a huge step forward for not only their organization, but for the Oswego community.
The brothers also took time in mid April to deliver lunch to the Oswego Hospital to show their appreciation for the medical staff for their handwork in the midst of the pandemic.
Sigma Delta Tau and Sigma Tau Chi get together for a yearly event called, “ΣΔΤ with Sig Tau.” All of the money the organizations raise from selling breakfast food goes directly to the Ronald McDonald House. Even though both organizations host a handful of other philanthropy events, this one is extremely important to them.
Alpha Epsilon Phi hosts a yearly event called “AEPhestival.” Unfortunately this event is held annually in the Fall, and was cancelled this year due to the Coronavirus. All money raised from selling festival foods and raffle tickets is donated to both of the philanthropies.
Even though I only touched on a few of the Greek organizations on campus, there are many more who are so involved in the community and giving back. For me, giving back was a huge priority when joining Greek life and it is something I get so excited to talk about.
After holding the VP Philanthropy position on our executive board for a year I found even more opportunities for my organization to give back and get involved. Greek life gives us all so many opportunities and giving back is one of the ones we all hold close to our hearts.
Since joining a sorority on campus in Spring 2018, my college experience has changed completely. My grades have improved, I instantly became more organized and motivated, I met so many new faces and most importantly have created so many lifelong friendships.
Spring 2020 Recruitment
After talking with my housemates and some of my closest friends, I came up with a list of why you should join a sorority based on our experiences in an organization here at Oswego. We are all sisters of Alpha Epsilon Phi, but have many friends and housemates in other Panhellenic sororities on campus.
Networking
Before heading to college my parents always told me how important it would be to make strong connections during my four years at Oswego. Little did I know, some of my strongest connections would be from people I met in Greek life.
The connections gained through your organization can have great long term benefits. Greek life has helped not only myself, but so many others when looking for internships and employment.
My organization has had countless alumni reach out looking to hire interns or to help out a sister trying to find an entry level position. I feel as if the connections I have made in Greek life are extremely valuable, especially in the professional world.
Academic Assistance
The general stereotype of Greek life is that we all have bad grades from being focused on social events. To be honest, that couldn’t be more wrong.
Since becoming a sister, I have been able to meet so many girls with the same major and same classes that have been able to help and guide me through my time here at Oswego. Older sisters have always been able to give me advice on which classes to take and who the best professors are to go to for help.
I’m sure anyone in Greek life can agree, you know someone in every class. This comes in handy when there is a big group project, presentation, or paper. You already feel more comfortable knowing at least one person in the class to pair up with.
Most sororities also have a minimum GPA requirement. This keeps members on track and focused to be the best they can be academically.
We also strive to keep each other on track and organized. I live with four other girls who are in my sorority, we are always motivating each other to get out of bed and do something. We always go to the library together, hangout in the living room to focus on schoolwork, or even just sitting down at the kitchen table for a few hours to plan our week ahead.
Leadership and Volunteer Opportunities
Since joining AEPhi, I have held a handful of postions, including two on our executive board. Im currently serving as our Chapter President, but I’ve held other positions such as VP Philanthropy, Social Media chair and Arts & PR.
AEPhi’s Biggest Philanthropy Event: AEPhestival Fall 2019
Not only have these positions helped me grow as a student, but they’ve also helped me build my resumé. I’ve sat in multiple interviews where the first thing they ask is something about what I do for my sorority. Luckily, Greek life gives you so many opportunities to stand out and get involved.
Joining a sorority has allowed me to give back to the community around us and our national philanthropies. We have also paired up with other fraternities and sororities to raise money for both of our philanthropies. This helps draw a bigger crowd and more involvement in the event.
Lifelong Friendships
As cheesy as it sounds, AEPhi has helped make Oswego my home away from home. I always have a sister I can go to for any advice I need or problem I may have. They are truly my biggest support system and I’m not sure I could have made it four years away from home without these girls.
Joining a sorority has allowed me to meet so many people with the same interests and values. Even after girls graduate, we all still stay in touch. Our friendships are so strong while we are on campus, it’s not something you can drop and forget about after graduation.
Fall 2019 Recruitment
All sororities have something unique to offer you, and joining one will help you grow as a member of the Oswego community. Becoming a member of a sorority will add a new dimension of leadership, academic involvement, and fun to your time at college.
The five national Panhellenic sororities on campus are currently full swing in virtual Fall recruitment. We all knew this semester was going to be one for the books, and nothing we have ever experienced before, but I definitely didn’t prepare myself for two weeks of Zoom recruitment.
Don’t get me wrong, I love talking to and meeting new girls. This semester gives us all a different feeling in a Zoom meeting rather than setting up our in person recruitment rooms in Campus Center. Face-to-face recruitment gives both sisters and potential new members a different sense of comfort.
When I went through in person recruitment, I was able to scan the room and see a lot of faces, excitement, and so many pictures of sisters and memories they had made in their time with their sorority.
Virtual recruitment has basically been an interview of why we picked our sorority and what it means to us. The meetings usually last about an hour or less and everyone is trying to get to know each other as much as possible in the time we have.
In person recruitment is usually an entire weekend and about 5-6 hours a day. Although the hour we have to meet each other isn’t a lot, it is better than nothing at all and we were so excited to meet all of the new faces.
Virtual recruitment has been so important to both the sororities and potential new members because we want to keep growing our organizations and people want to get more involved.
This was the safest way to recruit and get girls involved. We were so excited to have this opportunuity and can’t wait to bring a new class of girls into our sorority.
Are you new to campus? Maybe you’re looking to make new friends and connections. College is much more than attending class and listening to lectures. Joining an organization on campus is a great way to make the most out of your college experience.
Oswego is a great place to get involved and make lasting memories and connections. Here are a few reasons why you should become involved on campus.
Discover New Interests and Passions
Once you find one you’re interested in, student clubs and organizations focus on certain interests. Becoming involved may help you further develop a hobby or skill. The club or organization may even introduce you to a passion or talent you never knew you had.
2. Build your Resumé
There are many opportunities on campus that may complement your degree and help you stand out in a future interview. By joining a club, organization, or team you may have the chance to take an executive board or other leadership position. Even by volunteering or setting up fundraising events with your organization, you have the chance to make your resumé unique.
3. Make Connections
Many activities on campus are designed to help you make new friends and enjoy the experience away at college. Having someone to go to the library, hangout, or explore campus and the town with will help you become more connected to the campus community.
4. Relieve Stress
Anything from adjusting to being away from home for the first time, to roommate challenges, or cramming for a big exam, can really stress a college student out. Becoming involved in a campus organization is a perfect opportunity to have fun and temporarily remove yourself from the stressful situations.
5. Build your Self-Confidence
Joining a club, team, or organization on campus may give you the opportunity to step out of your comfort zone. Moving away from home for the first time can be a huge adjustment, but getting involved can help you find out more about yourself than you ever knew before. You can meet new people who bring out the best in you, who motive you, and who support you for who you are.
My name is Kaylee Filighera and I am one of the social media interns for the Communications and Marketing Department at SUNY Oswego. I am a senior Public Relations major with minors in Sports Studies and Business Administration.
My journey began at SUNY Oswego in August 2017 as an eager freshman looking for new experiences and opportunities. I quickly became involved in a handful of clubs and became a sister of Alpha Epsilon Phi during my second semester freshman year.
Alpha Epsilon Phi changed my entire college experience and has given me more friendships and experiences than I could have ever imagined. I have taken on many roles within my sorority such as VP Philanthropy, Arts & PR, helping out with our Instagram, and I am currently serving as our chapter President.
The National Panhellenic community on campus is about a week away from starting our virtual approach at recruitment. My chapter and I are so excited to have the opportunity to meet and recruit new girls, even though it won’t be in person.
I am so excited to share my on and off campus experiences at SUNY Oswego!
SUNY Oswego senior Melissa Blok is completing a semester long internship at Morning Star Residential Care Center in Oswego, New York. Melissa will be receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in human development this May 2020. Following graduation, she plans on attending graduate school to complete her Masters Degree in social work. While she is still deciding between graduate schools, Melissa is taking every possible step to acquaint herself with this field. At Morning Star Residential Care Center, she works closely with their social services director which has been extremely beneficial to her as she is able to become more accustomed with different experiences and responsibilities that she may encounter throughout her future career endeavors.
Blok begins her early morning shifts with an iced latte and a brief meeting with her director. “I am lucky enough to intern somewhere that has a community-like environment. Faculty are all extremely friendly with one another and treat each other with respect,” said Melissa when asked about their company culture. Her daily responsibilities vary but she regularly conducts mood assessment tests on the nursing home residents which requires asking a series of questions about their sleeping patterns, mood changes, etc. She then records their responses and if they acknowledge symptoms, she records the frequency of those symptoms. Melissa also spends a lot of her time checking in on residents who feel lonely or upset by speaking with them and allowing them to confide in her. “These are two very important tasks because a lot of responsibility is in my hands.”
This internship experience has provided Melissa with a new sense of determination regarding her future education and career path. Working in this environment further solidified her goals as she is looking forward to embarking on her journey of becoming a certified social worker. Blok shares, “This experience is a perfect stepping stone for my future career but the most valuable lesson that I have learned is that life is so short but so precious.”
*Editor’s note: Melissa’s internship has been suspended due to current events but she is thankful to have had such an informative experience.
Alexa Christy, a sophomore in SUNY Oswego’s Early Childhood Education program, has been adjusting to life with her family back on Long Island. In the midst of a global pandemic, Alexa was able to share her tips for surviving social distancing and making online learning more manageable without Penfield Library to rely on.
“At first, I needed some time to reflect on the situation at hand. Once I approached it from a more calm, organized place, I felt a lot less overwhelmed and ready to handle my responsibilities even under these unexpected conditions.” Alexa considers her mornings to be very important because they set the course for her day, “It’s so easy to lose your sleeping schedule completely right now. Try setting a time frame, by doing this you will hold yourself accountable and ensure that you’re completing your duties on time and avoiding procrastination which leads to becoming overwhelmed and stressed out.” Alexa loves to start her day with a green smoothie and tea with lemon. When the weather is nice, she has breakfast outside to clear her headspace and get some sun before logging on to Blackboard for the next few hours. By setting deadlines, she has found more success in completing her assignments, even when her house is noisy.
Alexa admits that she has spent a large portion of her social distancing experience binge watching her favorite series online (she recommends The Vampire Diaries), but she tries to balance this out with yoga, study hours, and staying in touch with family and friends. “Balance is key, you don’t have to be incredibly hard on yourself right now. Staying safe and healthy should be your priority, everything else is an accomplishment and you should remember to give yourself credit for handling everything going on and still doing your best!”
Nina Agnello, a senior in SUNY Oswego’s Psychology program, has been busy working towards receiving her Bachelor’s degree under these unique circumstances. This is a fearful time in the world, and for students, added stress on academic routines can make everything seem much more nerve wracking. Taking our situation one step at a time is essential for maintaining normalcy and a better state of mind.
Nina has shared some of her tips for staying safe, healthy & positive under social distancing. “It’s been difficult to keep up with a normal routine since we are all social distancing but every morning I make a healthy breakfast (whole wheat toast with avocado and a sunny side up egg with everything but the bagel seasoning and side of non fat greek yogurt) and a cup of coffee and do a little work each day so I keep on top of my school work and internship duties from home.” Establishing a morning routine can be a huge help while transitioning to a new living situation. Nina also explains how she stays busy while maintaining her health, “I try to workout or do yoga to keep my physical and mental health in check. At night I love to drive and watch the sunsets! I try to keep in touch with my friends and family as much as possible to keep me sane and busy.”
Nina offered a variety of tips for college students including using a planner religiously, setting daily times for work, and taking breaks to keep your mind clear and refreshed (try sitting outside rather than binge watching netflix every single day). What she emphasized most intensely was taking the days slowly and being gentle with yourself. Everyone is facing a battle, “Just remember that this too, shall pass. I know it’s a dark time for many people, so it’s so important to reach out to loved ones and check on them, and make sure you have loved ones checking on you!”
Ashley Marchica, a graduating senior here at SUNY Oswego is looking forward to receiving her B.A. in psychology in just a few short weeks. Despite the challenging times we are currently facing, students all over the world are working towards maintaining their academic pursuits while transitioning to meeting the recommended social distancing regulations. While we extend our best efforts to flatten the curve, it is crucial that we still prioritize our academic and personal routines as best as we can. In order to preserve our health, both physical and mental, and continue following plans to achieve our long term goals, we must focus our efforts and approach this hardship with a positive attitude and an organized mind set.
Ashley will be attending graduate school in the Fall and definitely understands the importance of self discipline. In a brief interview, she shared some of her best tips for staying on track with online learning, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and prioritizing happiness during this uneasy time. Ashley shares, “It’s been pretty hard to follow a routine of any kind during social distancing but I try my best to set aside specific times during the day to focus in school and focus on myself.”
Her favorite breakfast has been 2 eggs over easy with a piece of avocado toast. She recommends trying your best to eat healthy, drinking a lot of water, and exercising when you can. Ashley has been going on daily walks by the lake and watching the sunset to get some fresh air and her heart rate up. She also emphasized taking extra time for self care, which she prefers to demonstrate through face masks, facetiming with her friends, crafting, and listening to good music.
Ashley is one of many SUNY Oswego students facing this challenge with a positive mindset and an honorable dedication to her academics. Above all, being patient with yourself and doing your best is sometimes all you can do, and that’s okay. “This is a really difficult time to live through no matter who you are, where you live, or what your age is. In order to stay positive and keep a positive mindset I tell myself that this will be over one day and that what’s coming is greater than what we have lost.”
SUNY Oswego students participate in a variety of internship programs to gain experience within their intended career fields as well as earn credits towards their degree progression. With the wide range of B.A. programs offered at our university, it is interesting to analyze the internships that students gravitate towards and to develop new perspectives on the knowledge that they are able to attain through these experiences.
Senior Jenny Carr will be receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in human development this May 2020. She is currently an occupational therapy intern at Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center in Oswego, New York. Jenny decided to take us along with her on a typical day of interning to share some valuable information about her ventures working alongside local occupational therapists.
Carr typically arrives at her workplace at 10 a.m. with a hot coffee in hand. She walks in the double door entrance of the facility and is greeted by a therapy dog named Lincoln which she describes as “the perfect way to start a productive work day”. She reports to her designated area of the gym floor space where she assists occupational therapists caring for patients suffering from physical disabilities. These individuals struggle to complete basic tasks in their daily lives such as using the restroom, opening doors and getting dressed. “Some of my main tasks include assisting patients back to the therapists and setting them up by making them feel comfortable and preparing a hot pack for them until their therapist is ready to start treatment”.
Since beginning her internship at Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center, Jenny has felt more connected than ever to her career goals of becoming a certified occupational therapist. Witnessing the powerful results of occupational therapy is both inspiring and demonstrates just how beneficial this field of work is. This experience has provided both valuable practice and a positive introduction to this type of professional setting. She is more motivated than ever to continue her education and work towards receiving her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. “As an intern, It’s important to remember that everyone has to start somewhere and that nothing worthwhile comes easy!”
