She is Gamma Phi Beta
She is loyal, she is genuine, she is authentic, she is smart, she is funny, she is my best friend, she is a g phi. This is just a short list of adjectives the women in the Gamma Phi Beta chapter at Colorado State used when describing their sisters. All of them bonded together over joining the same chapter and have since made friendships and memories that will last long out of college.
Gamma Phi Beta was founded on Colorado State’s campus in 1915, which means it is the longest standing Sorority at CSU. Since then, countless women have gone through recruitment and entered the chapter to make memories, whether it was for all four years or just one.
The chapter’s motto is “to inspire the highest type of womanhood,” in all activities and events they are a part of and in their everyday life. The character they portray is more than just wearing their t-shirts or being able to put their greek letters in their Instagram bios. Their character is represented in the relationships they spend time in and how being in a sorority has allowed women to break out of their comfort zones and grow into who they truly are.
Taylor Miller, Chapter President of Gamma Phi Beta, has grown up a lot since entering the chapter her freshmen year. In an interview with her, she stated that “in high school and [her] freshmen year [she] was really quiet, very shy and over the times that [she’s] gotten to speak in front of people or had the chance to meet new people has really helped [her] open up and become person that [she is] today.”
Prior to COVID-19 the chapter flourished year in and year out. Bringing in large, new pledge classes or saying goodbye to their seniors who could be proud of the legacy they had created, every year brought fun events and new friendships. On average, the chapter would hold three social events with other organizations on campus, upwards of four in-person sisterhoods with all the women in the chapter, and one large philanthropy event to bring everyone in the community together as one. Many of these events are what women looked forward to most. These social encounters are where they were really able to network and meet more members from various backgrounds. Unfortunately, in the midst of the global pandemic, none of these events are able to happen. The consequence of this is that many women have questioned the value the Sorority can bring without these events, and have even led to many dropping because to them it‘s simply not worth the money anymore.
Many chapters across the United States have seen a huge drop in numbers of women per chapter and even women who are signing up for recruitment. Gamma Phi Beta’s fall pledge class of 2018 was 76 women, which then fell to 61 in fall of 2019, and fell even further this year to only 38. These numbers are also very similar to other chapters at CSU and pose a huge threat to the longevity and future of Greek life.
Adding COVID to the mix also did not help with the retention rate and now more than ever the value of sisterhood is vital. Miller says, “Engagement this year has been another thing that has been a challenge, you don’t get the face to face interaction that you would have had with over all 130 women over a zoom call.” As many of us know, there is only so much of a connection you can gain with another person over a computer screen. Not to mention how much of a strain it puts on your eyes and back just sitting there for hours.
Despite the strain of sitting on a computer during the chapter’s work week, recruitment process, and even bid day, there is so much more that a Sorority offers. Behind every crazy door song or chant lies over 100 women who put themselves through long days because they all care deeply for what they chose to join; something bigger than themselves.
Devon McMullen, Membership Vice President of Gamma Phi Beta, saw the chapter come together more than ever during quarantine. It brought out the women who love every aspect of what the sorority is. In an interview with McMullen, she says, “Other people in the chapter, people you don’t even realize are missing you and caring about you would reach out to you. I know quarantine was really hard on me. I just think having a reminder every once in a while that someone on the other end of the country is thinking about you and it’s all because the sorority brought us together, that’s something I am so thankful for.”
Gamma Phi Beta is more than just having a group of girls to hang out with or social occasions. Much of the chapter works closely every semester with their philanthropic partner and representing what the chapter believes in most, building strong girls. Their philanthropic partner is Girls on the Run. According to Gamma Phi Beta’s website, Girls on the Run is a unique after school program that provides experience for young girls to be confident, healthy and joyful by using a fun experience that creatively integrates running. Their goal, and Gamma Phi Beta’s, is to inspire girls to become strong and confident leaders. Having an impact on girls at a young age can lead them to learning more about themselves and really coming into their own.
Many women who join Gamma Phi Beta were a part of Girls on the Run when they were younger. The impact it left on them was big enough for them to choose to work with the same organization, but this time as leaders. Their efforts to continue supporting Girls on the Run has not stopped, despite COVID. Along with partnering with Girls on the Run, gphi puts a lot of emphasis on mentorship and being a role model in the community. Miller says, “I really look up to my mom, she is a big mentor in my life and giving young women the opportunity to be confident, be strong in who they are, and just build their character sooner is something that’s really important to me.”
The chapter has been put through the wringer during this tough time in the world, but is still able to prove time and time again that the value it can bring to a college experience is more than just parties and boys. It’s about friendships, life experiences, memories, heart and passion for an organization that can do so much for a single individual.
McMullen says, “It has really proven to me, and hopefully other women, why it’s so worth it and why we all are so lucky to be here with each other making connections and being there for each other. I just think the support system and the growth it’s provided to me is super special and unmatched. I just wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
For a freshmen entering college a good sorority life experience is not going to be ruined because of the lack of in-person events. It might even be greater because now it is truly centered around the sisterhood of each individual chapter. Miller says, “I think what keeps us going and keeps the gears turning is hope for the future and having a positive attitude. COVID is temporary, it’s going to go away and once everything is lifted I think life is going to be beautiful again, everybody is going to get to have the experience they once did and I don’t think anyone is going to take a moment for granted.”
Even though this year especially has been a constant question about what is going to happen next, the connections women in the chapter have made will never be questioned. It is so worth it for women in college to constantly pursue all the opportunities they have and make it count. Sorority life is about building roots in the community and immersing yourself in a once in a lifetime experience.
