Syracuse University’s first professional co-ed fraternity focused on the information technology discipline is forming this semester at the School of Information Studies (iSchool), and its charter members are hosting an information session on Tuesday, January 30 for interested students.
The fraternity, Kappa Theta Pi, is the fourth chapter on a college campus in the United States. The organization was founded at the University of Michigan’s Information School in 2012, and has chapters at the University of Pittsburgh and the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
“We felt that there should be a professional fraternity at Syracuse that met the needs of students in the IT field,” said Maeve Rule, a sophomore information management and technology student who is the Syracuse chapter’s first president. “The iSchool was the only professional school on campus without a professional fraternity up to this point, so we thought it would be a good fit.”
Membership in the organization is open to any Syracuse University student with an interest in technology. The fraternity follows a rush process similar to other Greek organizations, and collects dues of $95 per semester from students invited to join.
“Anyone is welcome to rush, and we are looking for students who have a passion for technology and a startup mentality,” Rule said. “We’re hoping to create another family on campus for students to be a part of, where they can support each other.”
“Kappa Theta Pi is designed to be a support system, service model, and professional development enhancer all at the same time,” said Sophie Estep, a sophomore dual major in the iSchool and the Newhouse School and the fraternity’s director of professional development. “We want members to find a place to not only meet others who have their shared interests, but also give back to their community and refine their own skills.”
“We have had an overwhelmingly positive reaction to this new organization,” Estep added. “With the increasing popularity of iSchool majors and minors on our campus, this was a much anticipated program, and we cannot wait to get the group up and running. I am so excited to grow this organization to its full potential.”
The fraternity’s advisors are Professor Jeff Rubin and Stephanie Worden, the iSchool’s undergraduate recruiter.
“I am so proud of our students for coming up with an initiative and seeing it through,” said Rubin. “I believe having a professional iSchool fraternity is going to be huge for our students, as it provides a place for them to engage, socialize, push each other professionally, and celebrate each other’s success.”
Interested students are encouraged to attend the information session planned for Tuesday, January 30 at 8:00 PM in the ICE Box on the 2nd floor of Hinds Hall. Questions can be directed to ktpsyracuse@gmail.com.