"We formed AOII to continue the friendships we made in college
throughout our lifetimes." Alpha Omicron Pi was founded on January 2, 1897
at Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City. 100, 000 women collegiate
and alumnae, represent a full range of diverse backgrounds and interests. We
have170 chartered collegiate chapters, and over 230 chartered alumnae
chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
Object
"The object of this fraternity shall be to encourage a
spirit offraternity and love among its members; to stand at all times for character,
dignity, scholarship,and college loyalty; to strive for and support the best
interests of thecolleges and universities in which chapters are installed; and in no way
to disregard, injure or
sacrifice those interests for the sake of prestige or
advancement ofthe fraternity or
any of its chapters."
Mission Statement
"Alpha Omicron Pi is a women's fraternity whose
purpose is to providesisterhood for
a lifetime, promote academic excellence, enhance personal
and leadership
development, and encourage fraternity and community
service."
A History of Alpha Omicron Pi Epsilon Chapter
Our chapter was first installed in 1908 and was active
until sometimein the mid
60's. During this time, women's fraternities were not
regarded asbeing a very
important part of campus life and interest in them was low.
In 1989,AOII
International helped to bring AOII back to Cornell.
At the end of January 1989, a group of alumni representatives
came to campus
with the intention of recolonizing AOII. Over 200 women
were interviewed and 78
were chosen to become a part of the recolonization, a
lasting legacysoon to be
known as the "founding sisters".
There were 35 requirements for a colony to become an
installed chapter. The
founding sisters' goal was to accomplish these by the end
of the semester. They all
worked together to accomplish these requirements and on May
6, 1989, Epsilon
Chapter, once again, became an official part of the Cornell
Panhellenic Council.
Throughout our history, we have resided at many places
around campus. Our
original house was located on the Knoll on North Campus;
this houseis currently
owned by Delta Phi Epsilon.
When we recolonized in 1989, we held meetings in Goldwin
Smith Hall and
Rush was held in Noyes Center. In 1990, we rented a
house at 210 ThurstonAve.
Twenty-four people lived in this house; there was a small
kitchen,but no cook.
Since the house could not hold many people, there was also
an annex at
Westbourne Apartments. The house is now owned by Sigma
Alpha Mu. In 1991, we moved to our present house, strategically located
between CentralCampus and Collegetown, at 14 South Ave. This house was previously
occupied bythe Kappa Alpha Literary Society, who left campus due to decreasing
numbers. The Cornell Panhellenic awarded Epsilon Chapter of AOII for
our Outstanding Chapter in the 1994-95 academic year. They also recognized
Epsilon for Outstanding Educational Development and Outstanding
Community Servicefor our work with Foodnet. This past summer, AOII International
honored uswith the prestigious Distinguished Service Award. Presented only
once duringa biennium, the coveted DSA is awarded to just 10-12 of the collegiate
chapterswho have excelled during the previous two years in all areas of
programmingand operations.
Philanthropy
AOII Philanthropy has seen a successful semester. The
annual Haunted Housewith a fraternity on campus was, again, a
success. With a joint effort by the Philanthropyand Public Relations
Committees of AOII and the fraternity, we were able to showone of
the scariest Haunted Houses ever. The planning began in early
September,and continued on until the day of the event, October 28.
Students and children from all over came to see the house.
The cover chargewas $4 for adults and $3 for children and students.
Overall, approximately$500 was raised and donated to Arthritis Research.
We continue to support Sukanyon, a child from Thailand,
through Save theChildren. In her last letter, she told us that she
is having fun in school,and enjoying what she is learning. In
addition, our Foodnet sister seniorprogram is still going strong,
with sisters serving lunches at Titus Towersweekly, and planning fun
events with the seniors of the center every fewweeks.
Sisters also participated in an event with another
fraternity on campus, where underprivilegedchildren from Northside
and Southside community centers in Ithaca joinedus for a get together
with games, prizes and arts and crafts. A great timewas had by all
involved.
We hope our Philanthropy program continues to be a success
in the future.
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