Polynesian Student Union hopes to recruit new members at Luau

By Sawyer Hemsley

JCOM 1130/Section 2

For the first time, incoming freshmen will be included in the annual Polynesian Student Union luau at Utah State University.

The school-wide event will be held in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom starting at 7 p.m. on April 13 during the university’s A-Week. PSU is aiming to recruit freshmen during the luau to increase future membership.

“Freshmen recruits are very important in order for the club to continue to grow,” said Karen Caballero, a freshman member of the union. “They typically have the desire to be involved and be part of something bigger when they enter college.”

Vaofua Mauigoa, president of the PSU, has hopes that hosting high school students at the event will give them a better idea of the opportunities that are offered to Polynesians on the college level.

“They have fresh ideas and bring more talent and abilities to the club,” Mauigoa said.

University students are encouraged to attend to experience a variety of cultural food and performances. The event will focus on educating students on the Polynesian culture and involvement opportunities within the union.

“Many students think you have to be Polynesian to be part of the organization, but really anyone can become a member and learn more about our diverse culture,” Caballero said.

To learn more about PSU and involvement opportunities visit http://www.usu.edu/accesscenter/multiculture/psu.cfm.

Freshmen recruitment increases within Alpha Chi Omega Sorority

By Sawyer Hemsley

JCOM 1130/Section 2

The Alpha Chi Omega Sorority at Utah State University recently recruited the largest spring class the chapter has seen in years. Sixteen freshmen women have shown interest in involvement and forming new friendships within the sisterhood.

“I am looking for character, leadership ability, personality, responsibility and academic interest,” said Kenzy Nigel, vice president of recruitment. “If girls are interested and make an effort they will love the process of recruitment and joining a sorority. We as a chapter try to make it the best experience but it is what the girls put into it.”

Nigel said she feels it’s important to recruit freshmen “because they have so much potential.”

“Many girls we give our bids to are very involved throughout high school and want to be involved on campus,” Nigel added.

Sorority members were encouraged by Nigel to reach out to as many women as possible.

“I tried to get a lot of advertising on social media,” Nigel said. “I had the members in our chapter also reach out personally to girls in their classes and to invite at least one each to recruitment activities.”

Nigel also believes that because the focus within the sorority was to make the new young women feel welcomed and wanted they saw a larger amount of girls return and participate in the recruitment process.

“Alpha Chi Omega was able to recruit such a large class because the stereotype about ‘being Greek’ at Utah State University is morphing into something a bit more positive,” said Hailey Ransley, an experienced member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

Ransley said within the past five years the recruitment process has changed as an organization and “the sorority has been able to see what works be able to create a better system of recruitment.”

“This growth will continue if and only the current members uphold what Alpha Chi Omega’s stand for,” Ransley said.

For more information about Alpha Chi Omega recruitment opportunities, visit usu.edu/ususa/greeks.

Welcome to getinvolvedusu.com, where journalist Sawyer Hemsley will be covering different ways Freshmen at Utah State University can get involved. More than 250 clubs are offered at the university along with a variety of organization which gives students an opportunity to be active, meet new people, and gain more knowledge on their club of choice. Getinvolvedusu.com will cover these clubs and organization to help Freshmen gain a better understanding of the opportunities they can take part in. 

Sawyer Hemsley is a student at Utah State University, where he is studying communication studies with a minor in public relations and marketing. Hemsley's passion for involvement is large as he serves as a member of the university's executive council for the school year of 2015-2016 as the Programming Vice President. His love for being involved and making a difference started when he applied to help new incoming Freshmen in the new student orientation program.