Pi Beta Phi - University of Illinois

Angel UPDATE I L L I N O I S Z E T A C H A P T E R U N I V E R S I T Y O F I L L I N O I S | S U M M E R 2 0 2 0 I n early 2020, the world changed suddenly with the outbreak of COVID-19. The virus spread rapidly around the globe, leading to stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidance. Campuses were forced to close doors to classrooms and student housing facilities, including our chapter house. Classes were moved online, and all spring and summer in-person events were postponed or canceled. Adhering to University guidelines, the chapter closed for the semester in March. "With the constantly changing COVID- 19 situation around the world, this is an unprecedented time for everyone," says Grand President Marla Neelly Wulf. "As Pi Phis, we look to our core values to direct us, but most especially in times of uncertainty. Our core values hold constant when everything around us is changing. I believe our sisterhood is perhaps one of the most important resources we have in times like this." With our core values in mind and our collegiate members, alumnae and staff as top priority, the crisis response team at Pi Beta Phi Headquarters and Grand Council made crucial, timely decisions for the health and safety of our sisters. However, we know collegians and alumnae alike were left grappling with indescribable loss and uncertainty as the spring semester came to an abrupt end. "During these unprecedented times, we have each made many changes — and we know we may have to continue to sacrifice what has been normal for so long. However, we are glad to be on this learning journey with our sisters by our side, and we are hopeful that we will once again be spending time together shortly," said Illinois Zeta Chapter President Zoe Kroeze '18. The Alumnae Advisory Committees (AAC), Chapter Executive Councils and Fraternity Housing Corporation (FHC) have worked diligently to ensure members stay connected to each other and to Pi Phi despite our physical limitations. We're all adjusting and need the support of our sisters and our community to endure this global hardship that will undoubtedly have long-lasting effects. Although we can't gather with sisters in the ways we're accustomed, we can still celebrate our sisterhood in meaningful ways. Thanks to technology, there are a myriad of ways sisters are staying connected or perhaps reconnecting with each other. In turn, those virtual connections strengthen the bonds of our sisterhood and give us hope at a time when we need it most. In order to focus on overall personal well- being during collegians' spring semester at home, Illinois Zeta incorporated the eight dimensions of wellness into their weekly schedule. These elements are emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, environmental, financial, occupational and social. "Overall, this was a great way for our chapter to connect, support one another, and focus on what really matters as we worked hard to complete the semester," said Zoe. It's impossible to know where we will go from here, but as we try to navigate a "new normal" we know this is certain: we are in this together and we will get through this together. The lasting bonds of Sincere Friendship and our community of sisters in Pi Beta Phi will see us through this unprecedented time in our history. With the support of our sisters, we will persevere, and we will undoubtedly strengthen our Pi Beta Phi bonds. We encourage you to reach out to a sister today — it's never too late to reconnect and build on the community we've found in Pi Beta Phi. In Pi Phi, Marla Neelly Wulf, Kansas Beta Grand President Zoe Kroeze, Illinois Zeta Chapter President IN WINE AND SILVER BLUE, WE WILL SEE THIS THROUGH Gally Mendez '19 upcycling her clothes on Depop for environmental wellness week. Madison McBride '19 practicing yoga for physical wellness week. Caroline Sandberg '19 playing ukulele for emotional wellness week. PI PHI PRIDE We are excited to announce Illinois Zeta was recently recognized as a PI-level chapter!

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