What is Phi Sigma Rho? Phi Sigma Rho is a social sorority for women in Engineering and Technologies majors. I'm not an Engineering major, can I still join? The guidelines to be eligible to join Phi Sigma Rho require specific classes within math and science including:
PHYS 295
PHYS 299
MATH 205
MATH 206
MATH 301
A Chemistry course
Cumulative GPA of 2.5
Do I have to attend Formal Sorority Rush to join Phi Sigma Rho? No, Phi Sigma Rho does not participate in Formal Sorority Rush. However, we encourage you to attend Formal Rush! It is a good experience and allows you to see all of your options before you commit to a sorority.
Why join Phi Sigma Rho? Founded in 1984, Phi Sigma Rho was created to provide a balance between school and social life for the thousands of young women who are Engineering and Technology majors. Women of diverse backgrounds and interests have chosen to become sisters for numerous reasons, including:
To form bonds of friendship and encouragement.
To stay active in campus activities, to find study assistance, to gain leadership experience, and to participate in community service and social activities, as well as career development.
To meet other women in a traditionally male-dominated field.
To become a part of the extensive network of woman engineers that are Phi Sigma Rho alumnae throughout the country.
To be connected to recent UofL Phi Sigma Rho graduates in the engineering world.
What does Phi Sigma Rho focus on? Phi Sigma Rho strives for all sisters to achieve a balance between the following aspects:
Social: Phi Sigma Rho is a social sorority, providing opportunities to be active within the Greek community, such as Greek Week and Intramurals.
Scholarship: Phi Sigma Rho provides a network of scholarship support from sisters in similar majors and classes, mentoring from older sisters and advisers, and leadership experience through officer and committee positions within the chapter.
Service: Through the help of their sisters, members of Phi Sigma Rho are able to accomplish much more in their endeavors to better their community. At UofL, Phi Sigma Rho participates in Greek Life philanthropies, community service in throughout Louisville, and holds two annual philanthropy events, including Cupcake Wars which benefits the Travis Manion Foundation and the Supporting Heroes Foundation.
Sisterhood: Throughout their involvement with Phi Sigma Rho, sisters form strong bonds not only within their chapters, but with sisters all over the nation. These strong bonds will become lifelong friendships for many sisters.
How do I become a Phi Rho member? The first step to becoming a member of Phi Sigma Rho is to participate in Recruitment. Phi Sigma Rho does not recruit during Formal Rush Week. Phi Sigma Rho Recruitment is held a few weeks into the semester in Fall and Spring semesters. You are encouraged to attend as many Recruitment events as possible, though we understand if late labs, classes, etc. After Recruitment ends, eligible candidates are given bids to become Candidate Members of Phi Sigma Rho. Ladies who accept the bids inducted into the sorority as Candidate Members. This begins their 8-10 week Member Education process where they learn about the history and customs of Phi Sigma Rho and the Greek system. When Member Education is completed, eligible Candidate Members are initiated into the sorority as Active Sisters of Phi Sigma Rho.
Does it cost anything to attend Phi Sigma Rho's Recruitment week? Rushing with Phi Sigma Rho is free! We provide drinks, snacks, and fun activities so feel free to stop by and check us out!
Why does Phi Sigma Rho not recruit during Formal Rush Week? Phi Sigma Rho does not recruit during Formal Rush Week because we are Associate Members of Panhellenic Council due to our academic major restrictions, and thus we cannot recruit during the Formal Rush Week.
How much of a time commitment is Phi Sigma Rho? Phi Sigma Rho was founded to create a balance between the demanding academic schedule of Engineers and the social aspects of Greek Life. At UofL, we strive to uphold the ideals of our founders by having a social calendar that takes our academic schedule into account. Because of our ideals, our sisters are free to choose their personal priority level for Phi Sigma Rho. Sisters are required to attend the minimum required events including weekly chapter meetings, annual philanthropy events, and social events throughout the semester, but many sisters choose to go above and beyond, making Phi Sigma Rho their top priority, spending as much time associated with the sorority as possible.
What happens if I drop my major? Once you become an initiated sister of Phi Rho, you will not be deactivated if you switch to a non-engineering or non-technical major.
Should I be concerned about hazing? Absolutely not! University of Louisville has a strict anti hazing policy for all Greek societies on campus. Phi Sigma Rho holds personal integrity and respect very highly among our values and will not tolerate hazing, rudeness, or any type of harmful misconduct at any of our events or between any of our members.