WHO'S NEW ON CAMPUS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE OFFICE OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND THE ORDER OF OMEGA AT WEST GEORGIA COLLEGE 1991 EDITOR LISA SIMMONS ORDER OF OMEGA SCOTT SMITH ADVISOR West Georgia College is a coeducational, residential, liberal arts institution located in Carrollton. The city of Carrollton serves as the county seat of Carroll County and is one of Georgia's fastest growing industrial areas. Carrollton serves a regional population of more than 100,000 and is located an hours drive west of Atlanta. West Georgia College originated in 1906 in an area of the state that is rich in Indian history (thus the selection of the school's mascot - Braves). From the early beginnings in 1906 of three small buildings, the college has grown to include more than 40 structures of learning, living, and recreation located on a 398-acre wooded campus. The physical facilities are valued at more than $88.5 million. RUSH SCHEDULES SORORITIES: FRATERNITIES: BLACK GREEKS: September 9-13, 1991 The first full week of classes each quarter. Sign up for rush is the week prior. Varies, contact the Greek Advisor in the Student Center, Room 200. 1991 WGC, FOOTBALL SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT TIME Sept. 7 ALMA COLLEGE 7:30pm Sept. 14 at Troy State University 7:00pm Sept. 21 at Jacksonville State University 7:00pm Sept. 28 CLARK COLLEGE 7:30pm Oct. 5 LIVINGSTON UNIVERSITY 7:30pm Oct. 12 at Wofford College 1:00pm Oct. 19 at Valdosta State College 1:00pm Oct. 26 MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE 7:30pm Nov. 2 at Delta State University 2:00pm Nov. 9 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALA. 7:30pm Nov. 16 at Lane College 7:30pm THE ORDER OF OMEGA The Order of Omega was founded at the University of Miami in the Fall of 1959 by a group of outstanding fraternity men, who felt that individuals in the Greek community should be recognized for their service to the fraternity system and the University. The Theta Epsilon Chapter of The National Order of Omega was chartered at West Georgia College on May 20, 1987. This National Greek Leadership Honor Society recognizes the top three percent of Greeks on West Georgia's Campus. Candidates are chosen because of exceptional character, scholarship, service, and leadership in inter-Greek affairs. A CLASS ACT Do you remember the details of a televi- sion program you saw two weeks ago? Could you summarize its plot and pass a test on it? If not, no harm's done. But if you recollect no more about a class you at- tended recently, you're missing out. Unlike tube-watching, college classes demand more than simply sitting. Here's how to get the most out of them. 1. Go to class prepared. Class ses- sions are usually based on your as- signments. If you haven't done those assignments, what the teach- er and your classmates have to say may be mostly lost on you. If you've done the advance work, you'll un- derstand the lecture more fully and participate in the discussions much more freely. 2. Listen actively. That means more than hearing. Like effective reading, it requires you to relate what you hear to what you already know, and to identify the main points. Listen es- pecially for such expressions as "the two major ideas are" or "it's important to remember that" and to whatever your professor repeats for emphasis. 3. Notes are a must. You cannot re- member enough without them. Use abbreviations that are convenient and understandable to you, learn to use an outline form, and select. Don't ever try to record everything said, even if you know shorthand. You don't want the words to travel directly from your instructor's mouth to your notebook without passing through your brain. If you miss something important, leave room in your notebook and fill it in later by asking a reliable classmate or your professor. 4. Ask questions. If you're confused about something, never hesitate to ask. What did the professor just say? Isn't that different from what the book says? What does that word mean? Can you run that by me once more? Ask! Professors want you to learn, but they can't read the ques- tions in your mind. If you're not com- fortable raising questions in class, approach the professor after class or make an office appointment. Don't let a single question go unan- swered. 5. Organize your notes either while you're taking them or immediately afterwards. Otherwise they'll make little sense when you go back to them. The lecture may have a clear order, like the dates of important events or their causes and effects. But professors often speak without notes and include student feedback, making their presentations more in- teresting but less systematic than a book's. If necessary, add your own summary to tie it all together. 6. After class, review your notes. Make sure they are titled with sub- ject headings and, when the time comes to prepare for tests, coordi- nated with your reading assignment notes. That way you'll get it all together. And, if you missed a con- nection or find what looks like a con- tradiction between text and lecture, you'll have a chance to clarify it. 7. Above all, go to class. There are all kinds of penalties for cutting. Make sure that you know your college's regulations and each professor's policy on lateness and absences. Otherwise you may discover, too late, that you have overcutand auto- matically dropped from that class. In some cases, this can have serious consequences even beyond that course. But even when you're not forced to, go to class. Missing class gives you a handicap, a gap in your knowledge and un- derstanding. Save your absences for un- avoidable urgencies. Even then, make them up by contacting your teacher, in advance if possible, to find out what will be or has been covered. Also, call a classmate with whom you've exchanged phone numbers to get the class notes as well as new assign- ments you missed. That way you won't be short-changed on the session you missed, and you'll be prepared for the next one. Special thanks to the authors of this arti- cle, Aaron Alexander and Harrriet Vines, and to the publisher, The Professional Staff Congress, for permission to reprint this article from "Making It Through Col- lege". MAKING THE COLLEGE SCENE Do you know anyone who would go to an exotic city and spend a whole vacation there watching television? You're making the same mistake cheating yourself it you confine your college experience to the classroom. For a student who has a job or other re- sponsibilities, the temptation is great to get off campus fast. Your time is limited, and all that collegiate stuff outside of class is not mandatory. So why waste the time? Be- cause "all that stuff" is really not a waste. Contact with professors, friendships with your classmates, extracurricular activities, the riches of the library - these make up the "life" of your college life. The faculty is a tremendous resource out of class as well as in. Professors, instructors and lecturers are more than teachers. They're scientists, writers, psy- chologists, business people, mathemati- cians, artists, philosophers, musicians, historians, engineers. They're experts and scholars, active and highly knowledgeable in their fields, often consulted by others for their ideas. And here they are in your orbit. Seek them out, especially those teach- ers whose fields you have a particular inter- est in. Ask for a few minutes of their time. Take the initiative to get acquainted with them during their office hours, by appoint- ment, or at any other time and place that's mutually convenient. You can profit enor- mously by discussing your work in the course, its connections with other subjects, your career goals, or your problems. Classmates offer a rich opportunity for new friendships. Their presence in your class gives them at least one thing in common with you. You'll find more. Those with different backgrounds are what "broadening your horizons" is all about. Aside from the rewards of friendship, you'll benefit from studying with them, exchang- ing ideas, helping them when they need help, and drawing on their support when you're faced with problems. The friends you make in college often remain your friends for life. The first class session is a good time to introduce yourself to a few other stu- dents. Exchange telephone numbers so that if you are absent, they can give you the homework assignments and the material you missed in class. Try to arrange to study together and work on assignments togeth- er. This has both educational and social val- ue. Very often, students who form "study groups" do far better in college than those who always work alone. Clubs, teams, organizations and other student activities open you up to additional friendships, plus recreation. They may also add to your knowledge of an academic sub- ject, expand your understanding of an occu- pational field, help sharpen your skills and give you real-life experience, all in a relaxed social setting. "The true university," someone said a century ago, "is a collection of books." To- day, your college library is more than that and more than a "study tank." Besides books and magazines, it's stocked with such audio and visual resources as films, cassettes, art and photographic reproduc- tions, recordings of speeches, poetry and plays, all kinds of music and more. Lib- rarians are on hand to help acquaint you with what's there and how to find what you're looking for. Cash in on this treasure, not only for your work but for your pleasure. Orientation programs are designed by your college to introduce you to the college scene. They explore such questions as course requirements, sources of financial aid, how to add a course or withdraw from one without penalty, and how to get a tutor or a transcript of your grades. They save you a lot of legwork by telling you where to go for all kinds of help. And they give you the opportunity to meet and share your con- cerns with fellow students. Your college is rich in resources people, services and opportunities, but none of them will come and get you. You will have to go and get them. Only your initiative will determine how much of a return you get from your investment in college. Special thanks to the authors of this arti- cle, Aaron Alexander and Harriet Vines, and to the publisher, The Professional Staff Congress, for permission to reprint this article from "Making It Through Col- lege." mm "mwm m mm -wm;i y if i ' %m r . i pww ;' " tJ> *> l Mw U iti|t ** V* ** iv ' mm r m t w, m up obii ihiii IT'S CRSSK TO MS A B r A E Z H theta thay-tah P s T X XX p,e uu alpha al-fah T a iota jl ea-o-tah beta bay-tah W\^ k a PP a IV p- ah gamma gam -ah /% lambda 2 m. lam-dah delta del-tah XVX mew epsilon ep-si-lon N" ^ v new zeta zay-tah H * ^^^^j zzeye eta ay-tah omicron % m omm-i-cron rho sigma sig-mah tau taw upsilon oop-si-lon phi fie chi keye psi sigh omega o-may-gah What Is Rush? Formal rush for both men and women is a time for rushees and initiated members to get to know each other better through a series of carefully planned "parties," After Rush has been completed and bids have been extended, you will begin pledging/associating with the fra- ternity or sorority of your choice. It is important to come to Rush with an open mind and to give each chapter equal consideration. Be yourself! Rush is a mutual selec- tion process, so remember as you evaluate each chapter, they will eval- uate you. Do not let other's opinions make the decision for you, but go with your own feelings, for the decision will affect the rest of your college years. You may wonder what qualities Greek organizations look for in an individual. Completing a rush application will give you an idea of these qualities. Personality and interest are also important, but so is academics, since it is the main reason you are attending college. Always be sure to ask questions. If you have any questions pertain- ing to rush, financial matters, or social activities, ask someone to clear up these points for you! Another important point to consider is finances. Careful consider- ation should be given to your financial situation before making any obligations. Even though a rushee is not obligated to pledge/associate at the end of rush, we ask you to look carefully at Greek life as it is a way for you to meet the Greeks and to find out about the opportunities we have to offer. Like it . . . We love it! Go Greek! Words to be Familiar With Active A fully initiated member of a fraternity or sorority. Alumni Those fraternity or sorority members who have graduated. Bid An invitation to become a pledge/associate member. Brother/Sister A term used by active members of a fraternity or sorority when referring to each other. Chapter The local group of a fraternity or sorority. Fraternity An organization with lifelong membership which uses Greek letters as a name. Women's fraternities are informally called sororities. Greek A member of a fraternity or sorority. IFC Interfraternity Council which governs the fraternities. Initiation The ritual which brings the pledge into full membership in the sorority/fraternity. Generally of some sacred nature as a formal ceremony. Lagacy A person whose father, mother, brother or sister is or was an active member of a certain fraternity or sorority. Pledge A person who is working to become an active member, (also called Associate Member) Quota The number of women/men that a sorority/fraternity may pledge. Ritual The traditional secret ceremonies of a fraternity or sorority. Rush The mutual process of membership selection consisting of scheduling functions in which active members and rushees become acquainted. Rushee A person who is registered for Rush. Panhellenic A council which governs sororities. IFC Fraternities Becoming a member of a fraternity can be a great college experi- ence. No other group at this university can offer you the brotherhood, interfraternal camaraderie, and social activities that a fraternity can. Fraternity members are highly visible on campus and that is due to the opportunity for campus and community involvement that Greek life provides. A good percentage of the student leader positions are held by Greeks. Many local, regional and national charities have benefitted from the thousands of dollars and man hours that are do- nated by our chapters. Joining a fraternity is a life commitment. Greek alumni always have a place to call home, and college men to call brothers. Alumni brothers are regularly informed of IFC and chapter events through financial support to the chapter. Presidents, senators, successful businessmen and celebrities have said that being Greek gave them the leadership qualities and confidence to succeed. The Greek life has been beneficial to many people. They chose to become Greek because of the opportunity to meet and socialize with others who had similar interests to improve academic progress, and to develop lasting friendships. Through IFC Rush, you have the opportunity to make that same choice, Best of luck in finding the fra- ternity that's right for you! 11 BLACK GREEK COUNCIL The Black Greek Council of West Georgia College extends to you a hearty welcome to our campus. This is the beginning of many new and exciting experiences. The college experience provides an opportunity to prepare for a career, develop talents, meet new challenges, and develop your individuality. Membership in a Greek letter organization enhances this growth by encouraging high ideals in scholarship, service, and leadership through the acceptance of responsibility associated with group membership. There are seven historically black Greek letter organizations at West Georgia College - four fraternities (Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega P si Phi, and Phi Beta Sigma) and three sororities (Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Zeta Phi Beta). The Black Greek Council coordinates the activities of these organizations and serves as a mediator to insure cooperation. The Council also promotes and maintains high academic standards and provides activities for social interaction. At designated times throughout the course of the academic year, the individual organizations sponsor a program designed to make interested students aware of the basic ideals, purposes and philosophies of that particular group. The programs also inform the students of the advantages of Greek life. In addition, the programs familiarize the students with the requirements for joining and the standards for membership. For additional information, the interested student should contact the Assistant Director of Student Activities for Greek Life at (404) 836-6526. BLACK GREEK COUNCIL FRATERNITIES BLACK GREEK COUNCIL SORORITIES Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. AfeA Founded: December 4, 1906 at Cornell University Nu Gamma Chapter Chartered: May 21 , 1977 Colors: Black and Old Gold Motto: "First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. KA Founded: January 5, 1911 at Indiana University Theta Kappa Chapter Chartered: October 18, 1975 Colors: Crimson and Cream Motto: Training for Leadership" Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Founded: November 17, 1911 at Howard University Kappa Kappa Chapter Chartered: March 12, 1977 Colors: Purple and Gold Motto: "Friendship is Essential to the Soul" Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Founded: January 9, 1914 at Howard University Nu Phi Chapter Chartered: May 18, 1982 Colors: Royal Blue and Pure White Motto: "Culture for Service, and Service for Humanity" Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. AKA Founded: January 16, 1908 at Howard University Kappa Tau Chapter Chartered: May 22, 1978 Colors: Pink and Green Motto: "By Merit and By Culture" Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. ZTP Founded: November 12, 1922; Indianapolis, Indiana Lambda Epsilon Chapter Chartered: February 24, 1989 Colors: Royal Blue and Old Gold Motto: "Greater Service, Greater Progress" Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Z*B Founded: January 16, 1920 at Howard University Omicron Nu Chapter Chartered: May 8, 1987 Colors: Royal Blue and White Motto: Secret AKA A 5TP Z