The University of Memphis Department of Sorority and Fraternity Affairs will reveal its new logo at the "Plug Into Greek Life" event Wednesday.
The logo will be the first official logo for the U of M Greek community. The goal is to eliminate stereotypes associated with the Greek community.
"This is the best logo for uniting the U of M community. We are trying to get people to start saying 'Department of Sorority and Fraternity Affairs' instead of 'Greek Community," said Kelsey Taylor, a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. "When students say they are going Greek, a lot of people think that means they are partying all of the time, and that is simply not true of Memphis students."
Taylor said the U of M sorority and fraternity community is different, because it is primarily a commuter campus, so the atmosphere is more relaxed.
"There isn't just one type of girl that can make it into a sorority. We welcome everyone," Taylor, a sophomore journalism major, said. "Our sororities tend to focus on ideals of community leadership and integrity."
Danielle Suit, vice president for Panhellenic Council, said Memphis sorority chapters are friends with everyone, unlike other campuses.
"These girls push you to the best version of yourself that you can possibly be," said Suit. "In choosing a sorority, you look for what girls share your values, and you choose which one you want to be in based on that."
Suit and Taylor worked this summer as interns for the Department of Sorority and Fraternity Affairs planning for the "Plug Into Greek Life" event and creating the new logo.
"The hardest part was getting everyone in the community to respond over the summer," said Suit.
Along with the logo's inaugural debut, the booth will feature a PowerPoint presentation with information on various aspects of sorority and fraternity life, corn hole games and popcorn.
"What I really want to convey to the student body is that sororities and fraternities promote unity, and there is a place for everyone," Suit said.
Hillary Hatch, a Phi Mu member, said attending the event is a good way to get information about the community for anyone unsure about pledging.
"I think it will clear up any skepticism someone may have and help you decide whether you want to go through the process or not," Hatch, a business and economics major, said.
Hatch described the initiation process as one of the most nervous experiences of her life, but also one of the most fulfilling.
"The one on one conversations where the girls would ask you questions about yourself were kind of awkward," Hatch said.
Although popular culture may sometimes portray sorority initiation week as a bullying and hazing extravaganza, Hatch said that sororities at the U of M have a no hazing policy.
"There is nothing mean or inappropriate that happens during initiation week, you are basically surrounded by 70 of your new best friends," Hatch said.
The event will be on display from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first floor of the University Center.
