Phi Sigma Rho is a sorority for women in engineering and technical majors. The Eta chapter at the University of Michigan has over 50 members and participates in Greek events while allowing flexibility given the time commitments of engineering majors. Members join for the support network and encouragement as women in male-dominated fields. The sorority balances social activities, academic support like study groups, and philanthropy projects including workshops for girls.

1. Phi Sigma Rho Engineering Sorority: Who We Are and
What We Do
By: Samantha Luber
While Phi Sigma Rho has been a member of the Panhellenic Council at the University of
Michigan for several years now, many Greeks don’t quite understand our sisterhood and
our contributions to the Greek community at Michigan!In order to set the record straight,
I’m here toshare with you whatPhi Sigma Rho is all about and what we have to offer!
Who We Are:
Founded in 1984 at Purdue University, Phi Sigma Rho is a national sorority for women in
engineering and technical science majors. Our chapter, the Eta chapter of Phi Sigma Rho,
has been at Michigan for ten years and has grown in the past year to be a chapter of over
fifty women!As an associate member of the Panhellenic Council, Phi Sigma Rho
participates in the same events as all of the other sororities on campus, such as Greek
Service Day and Greek Week,with the exception of formal recruitment.
Why Phi Rho?

2. Regardless of the chapter, every woman joins a sorority for a different reason. Kara
Stoltze, the VP of Communications Internal of Phi Sigma Rho, shares her reasons for
joining Phi Sigma Rho. “I joined Phi Sigma Rho my freshman year because I knew I
wanted to be involved with Greek Life but wouldn't have the time to devote to a
traditional sorority and I wanted to meet other women in engineering,” she explains.Often
referred to as a sorority equivalent of the Triangle Fraternity, our sorority was founded on
the ideals of creating a friendship group and support network for women in technical
majors. Our sorority understands the time commitment of engineering majors and
encourages sisters to participate in events only when their academic schedules allow them
to do so. As engineering remains a male-dominated field, Phi Sigma Rho sisters
encourage and inspire one another to be successful as women in their respective
technicalmajors – and it’s also great to see sisters around North Campus! “I really
appreciate being able to turn to older sisters in the sorority for advice about classes or
school in general because most of them have been in my shoes and understand what I'm
going through!” says Holly Steinberger, a freshman sister.
Figure 1: Winter 2012 Pledge Class
Phi Sigma Rho also has a unique recruitment and pledging process.Our recruitment
consists of relaxed and fun events that allow us to get to knowpotential new members and
share our ideals. During the pledging process, associate members are required to
individually interview each active sister. We really value these interviews because it
allows our new members to easily transition into being active sisters that are involved and

3. already know everyone! One of the advantages of being a small sorority is that everyone
in the sorority more than just knows one another – we’re all good friends! SreeAddepalli,
a junior member, adds, “I never find myself without a sister to study or go out with!”
Figure 2: Fall 2011 Pledge Class
What We Do:
Phi Sigma Rho strives to maintain a balance of social, academic, and philanthropic
activities. We facilitate varioussocial events, such as football tailgates, barn dance,
mixers, date parties, and formal. While Phi Sigma Rho doesn’t currently have an official
house on campus, we still spend a lot of time together at weekly sister bonding activities,
such as sister dinners and sister sleepovers! To encourage academic success throughout
the year, Phi Sigma Rho holds study tables and recognizes sisters with exceptional
academic achievement each semester. As many of our alumnae work in the industry,
many sisters utilize our alumnae network for resume critiquing, career advising, and
obtaining internship and full time work opportunities. In conjunction with our national’s
philanthropic partnerships, our chapter’s philanthropy includes Explore Engineering
workshops with the Girl Scouts of America, projects through the Ginsberg Center, and
Relay for Life. We also support other Greek chapters through participation in their
philanthropy events.

4. Figure 3: Sisters before a football game
As Phi Sigma Rho is still a relatively young sorority, we love being able to greatly impact
and shape the future of the sorority, both at Michigan and nationally! Our nationals work
closely with their chapters and alumnae groups to keep our sisters engaged and
contributing to the growth of our organization. After all, sisterhood is for life!
Figure 4: Sisters at bid acceptance dinner

5. As the Phi Sigma Rho Eta chapter continues to grow, we are excited and motivated to
staying involved on campus whilecontributing to the ideals and growth of the Michigan
Greek Community!
Phi Sigma Rho Info:
Phi Sigma Rho Sorority
www.umich.edu/~phisigma
www.phisigmarho.org