Chi Omega - University of California, Berkeley

5 CHI OMEGA SISTERS ON PURPOSE Pursuing Friendship and Personal Integrity A s a chapter, Mu has come together in opportunities to foster community and sisterhood through all of pre-recruitment and the following semester. Sisters Kira Barsten '17 and Natalie Johnson '17 have been incredible in working with Director of Programming Alexandra Origenes '15 to bring our sisterhood unique bonding experiences, but many of our other members have been instrumental in smaller moments shared to foster our community. To start off an aMUsing semester of sisterhood, the house got a custard truck catered to boost morale before a successful fall formal recruitment. There were delicious flavors of custard with yummy toppings to boot that were shared on a perfect afternoon out on our green lawn with music and lots of love! Friday dinners have been taken to the front lawn, where sisters can enjoy music and some good eats while taking in the late California sun before a well-deserved weekend after classes, quizzes, and tests galore. Our new members have been active in coming to these Friday hangouts, so actives and our new hooties can spend quality time together and relax after their long weeks! Our roof offers splendid bay views and sensational sunsets. Many evenings this semester have been capped with the exclamatory call to the roof for shared viewings of these incredible sunsets. Though the shades of evening fall to dusk, the fiery sunsets shared between sisters are forever burned into the community and hearts of our sisterhood. Loyally, Maddy Jahelka '16 Personnel Chairman Service to Others T he Mu chapter has been very busy this year hosting events to raise money and awareness for Make-A-Wish across the Berkeley campus; the past year has been full of laughter, memories, and a lot of ice cream! In the spring, we hosted our sixth annual kickball tournament, Frats at Bat, and we began what is now an amazing partnership with Kendra Scott Jewelry by hosting our first pop-up shop with them. Through these two events, we were able to raise $3,000 in the spring semester. Starting back up with recruitment in the fall, our chapter was so humbled to welcome girls into our home to talk about Make-A-Wish. We chatted over ice cream cones and made scrapbooks for the Make- A-Wish children of the Greater Bay Area who had just returned from their wish trips. This fall, we hosted Wake-Up for a Wish, a pancake brunch, and two other pop-up shop opportunities with Kendra Scott Jewelry and Visakai Activewear. This year, instead of selling out our parking lot on game days, we had a group of Cal alumni graciously rent it out for the entire semester, and we were thrilled to bring back Chi O Casino in November. This semester, we have raised little more than $5,000 and, combined with the efforts of the past philanthropy chairman, Kacey Harold '15, we met our goal of granting a wish. The house is waiting in eager anticipation for the next steps in that process. Loyally, Hannah Farrell '16 Philanthropy Chairman Academic Excellence and Intellectual Pursuits M u began the fall semester with the exciting news that we had achieved the second-highest ranking amongst Cal Greeks cumulatively with a 3.511 GPA during the spring semester. In addition, several sisters achieved a 4.0 GPA during the spring semester, including Annapurna Holtzapple '17, Molly Hydorn '17, Alannah Paren '17, Maddy Peng '17, Sonnet Phelps '17, and Juliet Swanson '17. In line with "scholarship before social obligations," we resumed study tables tri-weekly, and the chapter has already logged more than 300 hours and counting of studying time this fall. We also reassessed our bylaws and standing rules as a chapter with a bylaws review. The review was a success—more than 20 members showed up and took initiative in assuming the voice of our chapter. At the beginning of November, we hosted a professor and faculty scholarship dinner, house tours, and conversation, for about 15 professors and graduation student instructors. As part of the fall semester wrap-up, I oversaw part of the new member education in line with scholarship at the new member meetings, in order to equip our new pledges with all Chi Omega academic resources, study tips, and the Scholarship First Program. Likewise, we have been working with the head of Career and Personal Development, Adele Bloch '17, to encourage career fair attendance and to host a resume workshop. We survived the fall semester and will continue to work hard to increase the Mu chapter GPA this academic year. Go Bears! Loyally, Hayleigh Shobar '16 Vice President Community and Campus Involvement A s the new co-cardinal cabinets of campus activities, we were beyond excited to reach out and spread enthusiasm to the women of Mu this semester. We hit the ground running this fall, encouraging new members and actives alike to attend and participate in the multitude of events and opportunities that other IFC and PHC houses work so hard to share. In addition to fostering a sense of pride and mutual support among the Greek system, Mu members are extending their thoughts, ideas, and talents to the Cal community at large. Various members participated in Cal's intramurals, forming soccer, volleyball, softball, and dodgeball teams. Whether the teams are brought together by an intense love for competition or simply a desire to decompress and have fun, they serve as a great outlet for actives and new members to get to know one another while showing some school spirit! Many members are also involved in several campus groups, the most notable of participation being in FeelGood. This nonprofit club donates all proceeds to the Commitment 2030 Fund, which strives to eradicate extreme poverty and world hunger by the year 2030. In this 30-person club (which consists of 15 Chi Omegas!), members table at Kroeber, selling grilled cheese sandwiches while informing customers about the cause. Mu member Juliet Swanson '17 is president and oversees the club, while fellow sisters Kat McLaughlin '17 and Sonnet Phelps '17 hold positions on the executive board. Loyally, Marisa Bussone '17 Niki Ragone '17 Co-Cardinal Cabinets of Campus Activities (Continued on page 6)

• Cover