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MU'S IN THE
NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2004 – Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. – a Place
for Women of Diverse Ethnicities and Backgrounds to Call Home
A sorority that is 23 years in the
making offers women an interesting choice – the choice to relate
to differences.
(PLAINSBORO, NJ) Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Incorporated was founded
initially as a women’s social fellowship on November 21, 1981
at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey (New Brunswick Campus).
It was established by five women with the purpose of bringing diverse
women together, creating a forum in which these women were invited to
work and socialize together. This association helped dispel the myth
that all those of like backgrounds only associate with each other. Here,
women of African, Asian, Latin American, European and Multi-ethnic heritages
all come together to form a new kind of family. Women of all different
religions, such as Catholicism, Judaism and Islam, come together to
learn about these various cultures as well as to promote the common
goals of the sorority – excellence in academics, community service
and unity through diversity. Today, the full-fledged sorority comprises
over 300 members, who all still subscribe to the original credo set
down in 1981 – that difference can be a unifying force.
Though Mu Sigma Upsilon (MSU) can boast having chapters at various schools,
from Rutgers University to the University of Kansas and the University
of Central Florida, the organization can also speak to having many active
professional members who have gone on to form the MSU Alumnae Association,
proving the fact that sororities are not merely college-specific.
As stated before, MSU holds excellence in academics to be its primary
focus, along with diversity issues and community affairs. As its national
philanthropic project, the sorority works closely with Women In Need,
Inc. (WIN). WIN is a New York-based non-profit organization that serves
women and children who are homeless and disadvantaged (http://www.women-in-need.org/).
MSU has also recently become a member of the MAVIN Foundation, the nation's
leading organization addressing multiracial issues (http://www.mavinfoundation.org/).
Focus on the treatment of HIV and AIDS within America is another area
in which members of MSU have been particularly active. Over eighty undergraduate
and alumnae members will participate in the upcoming New York and New
Jersey AIDS Walks/Marathons on Sunday, May 16, 2004, actively contributing
funds towards AIDS research.
One dilemma we as the first Multicultural Minority Greek Letter Society
faces is the misconception of sororities as being elitist or just for
“party people”. We are seldom viewed as an avenue through
which real networking opportunities can be derived, or even as a venue
for women to form lasting friendships that surpass the boundaries of
race and religion. In recent years we have noted a decline in the number
of women interested in pledging for Greek organizations in general.
The notoriety that surrounds sororities may be the cause of this decline.
We would like the opportunity to discuss such issues in an open forum
with like organizations. Perhaps we can work together to change certain
perceptions.
For details about Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc., please visit feel
free to visit our website at www.musigmaupsilon.org.
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