Greek life possible at PUC

Though PUC is largely a commuter college, there are multiple sororities to become involved in on campus. Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority is one such group, which has chapters in multiple states throughout the country.

The Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority was formed March 3, 1991. President of the Gamma Chapter of Zeta Sigma Chi Erica Williams said the sorority was founded at PUC Nov. 19, 1995.           

“Our purpose is to unify a group of women from diverse cultures for one common goal: success in education,” Williams said. “To achieve our goal, we base our beliefs on our unique backgrounds with the purpose of building a strong sisterhood that will assist us in our success.  We invite all women from diverse cultures to join our sisterhood and share their beliefs, as well as to gain knowledge from our multicultural heritage.”           

Vice President of the Zeta Sigma Chi Gamma Chapter Melina Flores said Zeta Sigma Chi “takes pride in hosting various social and service events.”           

“We do at least one community service a month and we also do fundraising, not only for ourselves but for local soup kitchens and churches,” Flores said.           

Flores and Williams said that on the week of Sept. 24 Zeta Sigma Chi will host various events to give PUC women a chance to become Zeta Sigma Chi members. The events will be based on the sorority’s five principles of education, success, culture, service and sisterhood. Zeta Sigma Chi also walked in the Mexican parade in East Chicago Sept. 16 and will walk in the Out of the Darkness Community Walk held in Munster Sept. 29 to raise money for suicide awareness and prevention.           

“We are always looking to collaborate with other organizations for events on campus as well.  As for spring semester, we have not finalized our events yet, but trust me, we have many great things in store,” Flores and Williams said.           

Zeta Sigma Chi will also be holding a game night in Room 334 of Phase 2 of the University Village on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m., according to Flores. She added that there will be games for the Wii console, Mancala, Twister, dominoes, cards and other activities.           

“The purpose is to get to know the Z-Chis while having fun and getting away from the pressures and stress of school,” Flores said.           

Flores said being a sorority at a commuter campus presents different challenges than a Greek organization at a larger, residential university.           

“Students come and go all day long, and many have other obligations which leave less time to hang out and participate in most student activities,” Flores said. “Greek life is known but not as much as it would be on a bigger campus such as Purdue West Lafayette. Many of the bigger universities have frat houses and Greeks on campus the majority of the day, but here students tend to just come to class and leave right after.  A large amount of the students here are not involved in the campus life which makes it hard to get our name out there.”          

To become a member of Zeta Sigma Chi, Williams said interested individuals must attend three out of five of the sorority’s events during the week of Sept. 24. Those interested must also be a second semester freshman, have at least a 2.5 grade point average and, once a member, they must remain active for a year.           

“The process to become a Z-Chi is empowering. In the end, it will define you as a person,” Williams said. “It definitely makes you realize and embrace your strengths as a person.”