Alpha Chi Omega - University of Missouri

alpha chi omega | page 10 D espite maintaining social distancing and wearing masks, Alpha Nu celebrated its 62 new members on Bid Day, August 23, with the theme, Alpha Chi Disco. New members came to the front lawn and walkway of 900 Richmond in staggered shifts to ensure all guidelines were followed. Recruitment was 100 percent virtual at Missouri, as well as numerous other campuses nationwide. "It was challenging, no doubt about it," said Recruitment Advisor Shanna Luebbert, Delta Chi '15. "It is hard to have the same interaction as when in person but unfortunately that was not an option." For Open House, potential new members (PNMs) viewed videos from all 15 Mizzou chapters and made their selections based on the videos. For the next two rounds, chapters utilized Zoom, with PNMs participating from their dorm rooms. All PNMs attended virtual "parties" and were able to have one-on-one conversations with members, as well as view presentations by the chapters as a large group. Parties were smaller and there were more of them to accommodate Zoom limitations. To facilitate current members meeting PNMs, the National Panhellenic Conference changed its rules for 2020 to allow collegians and alumnae to make contact with PNMs over the summer. "This provided a means for members and alumnae to share their AXΩ experience in a way that had been prohibited in the past," added Luebbert. Alpha Chi members wore their traditional red dresses when recruiting by Zoom on preference day. Seniors gave speeches and the chapter conducted a virtual pearl ceremony. "There were still tears on pref day," said Luebbert. "And they were real—not virtual! Our women did a great job selling the sisterhood." Luebbert noted the prep work done by the chapter the week prior to recruitment was a factor in the chapter's success. "The members participated in Zoom information and practice sessions for about five hours a day during Polish Week. "There was a presentation by True North of Columbia so that members understood volunteer opportunities and seniors helped sophomores with conversation practice." The number of women participating in recruitment was about 14 percent lower than 2019, most likely due to uncertainty related to COVID-19 issues. Alpha Nu Welcomes 62 New Members on Bid Day Virtual Recruitment Presents New Challenges for Sororities NEW MEMBER QUICK FACTS 10 States 3.7 Average GPA 27 Average ACT Score 12 Legacies 5 Sophomores 57 Freshmen

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