Phi Mu - Louisiana State University

3 R ecruitment has evolved over time, with several changes to the overall process at LSU as well as Phi Mu's national policies. We appreciate feedback received from many of you who have expressed concern. It is evident that we need to better communicate about these changes and their impact to our alumnae. Here's a snapshot of what recruitment looks like for Alpha Eta in today's world: • Rush is now called recruitment. Rushees are now referred to as PNMs (potential new Members). • ere are currently 12 sororities on LSU's campus. Last year, 1,300 women participated in the recruitment process. irty-two percent of women going through LSU recruitment in 2021 were from out of state. e quota was 93, and Alpha Eta pledged 102. • In fall 2021, there were 336 women in our Chapter. • Since 2006, Panhellenic has used a Release Figure Method to minimize the number of PNMs without bids. Many alumnae don't realize that Panhellenic release figures for each chapter are based on their historical performance. Chapters are required to follow PHC's release figures each round to maximize PNM bid matches. • e Panhellenic recruitment application is more comprehensive, and PNMs now have the option to submit a brief introductory video to each sorority. • Instituted as a response to COVID-19, the first round "ice water" party will remain virtual for the foreseeable future. is change has led to more limited onsite recruitment volunteers. • In the past, PNMs selected up to three sororities for the final (preference) round. In 2019, a change was instituted reducing the number to two. • For the past several years, there have been more Phi Mu legacies going through recruitment than quota. • is year, seven of 12 sororities at LSU will not give preferential treatment to legacies during the recruitment process, and only two chapters will require recommendations (Delta Zeta and Chi O). • Last year, Phi Mu's National Council voted to remove the preferential treatment of legacies and the requirement of an alumna reference ("rec") for PNMs, with the goal of reducing barriers and offering the benefit of Phi Mu membership to any woman who Represents our ideals of love, honor, and truth. • ese changes are in line with other national Panhellenic organizations, with almost all 26 sororities eliminating or altering preferential treatment in their legacy policies. • A legacy relationship is still a valued and important aspect of Phi Mu. Legacies should be sure to make members aware of their family connection(s) during recruitment. • Alpha Eta's 2021 pledge class included 12 legacies. • Once pledged, legacies may work with their Chapter president and/ or Phi director to make plans to have their Phi Mu relative(s) attend initiation. While much has changed, the most important thing remains—our commitment to Phi Mu based on our personal experiences and cherished memories. We need our Chapter to remain strong at LSU, and that means keeping our alumnae informed and involved. Please submit any additional comments/questions. We will work diligently to share your input and address your concerns. Recruitment Updates KEEPING OUR ALUMNAE INFORMED Meet the House Corporation Would you like to give back to the chapter by serving on Alpha Eta House Corporation? Members meet monthly and are also asked to serve on a subcommittee working as needed to keep the Phi Mu house maintained, repaired, and updated. Get to know the current members by reading below. Contact June Byrd if you're interested in working alongside these women. June Magee Byrd '69 lives in Baton Rouge with her husband, Richard. She enjoys cooking, traveling, and volunteering for Phi Mu. Serving on the house corporation for over 20 years has been most rewarding for June; she has served as treasurer and is currently president. She has many wonderful memories of her time living in the house, including scheduling her classes around a game of bridge in the TV room with her favorite soap opera on. Marina Haydel Pinell, Alpha Psi '85 has been a house corporation member for over 11 years and serves on the Furniture and Maintenance committee. ough not an AH, she was asked to join house corporation while attending a Founders Day event! She currently works in the emergency department at Ochsner Iberville and has enjoyed nursing for over 34 years. Marina and her husband, Lewis, have three children- -Hayden (30), Morgan (28), and Heath (22). She enjoys volunteering, spending time with other alumnae, and renovating the Phi Mu house. Adrienne Oehrle Mire '86 is the vice president of administration of the Baton Rouge Water Company. She and her husband, René, have two daughters, Abigail (18) and Anna (13), along with a canine daughter, Millie (2). Adrienne has volunteered on house corporation since 2000, previously serving as secretary and now as accounts receivable treasurer. While she has many wonderful memories of Phi Mu at LSU, she now finds one memory the most humorous: considering the alumnae on house corporation during her collegiate years as those old, uptight ladies! Judy Mowad Mahtook '87 lives in Lafayette where she has raised her five children and is now enjoying being a grandmother to Robbie IV and omas. Having two daughters, Michelle Mahtook '16 and Madeline Mahtook '18, live in the Phi Mu house the past four years gave Judy the chance to both reminisce about the "good ole days" and see areas that needed to be refreshed and updated to today's housing standards. She's enjoyed serving on the house corporation and is excited to work with other AH alumnae on housing updates. Lana Sonnier Venable '89 is the owner/principal of Continuum Strategies, a strategic communications and issues management firm in Baton Rouge. She and her husband, Hollis, have three kids, Evan (22), Elise (19), and Garrett (16), and a fur baby named Mathilda. Lana is active in the community and still enjoys spending time with her Phi Mu sisters near and far. Among her fondest memories are serving as social chairman and getting ready for exchanges before going to Murphy's! Lizzie Butler Broussard '03 is the vice president of project management of Paystar, a Baton Rouge-based soware company. Lizzie graduated from LSU summa cum laude and as a University Medalist with a bachelor's degree in English literature in 2007. She started a career in technology, where she's risen through the ranks for over 15 years. At LSU, Lizzie lived in the Phi Mu house and enjoyed sitting on the upstairs porch, relaxing, and watching the lake in the evenings.

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