Phi Upsilon Omicron (Phi U), founded on February 10, 1909, on the campus of the University of Minnesota, is a Greek letter honor society integrated into the field of family and consumer sciences, offering an environment empowering lifelong learning, leadership building with ethical and scholastic excellence.
The Beta Sigma chapter was chartered on the campus of UT Martin on April 4, 1972. Since then, the organization has been an integral part of the Family and Consumer Science (FCS) department on campus.
Phi U has worked to support the local community through donations and fundraising, as well as interacting with the campus to establish a basis for reaching out and helping more.
“We did a stuffed animal drive to collect teddy bears to give away to children at the Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in December. We had 150 stuffed animal donations. We also tabled at the UC during the involvement fair. In past years, we partnered regularly with a church to help provide a monthly meal to community members in need. We are hoping to be able to start that back up again next year,” said Ella West, the chapter’s vice president and a sophomore FCS major.
The organization’s national theme this year is “Weaving our Future Through Phi U”. The chapter has created events for UT Martin students and staff to come out and learn how to sew, along with supporting a bigger cause.
West said, “ [We] hand-sew teddy bears to hand them out to the UT Martin’s Children’s center and an elderly home. [We also] provide two teddy bear workshops open to everyone on campus (flyers were hung across campus) to teach students how to sew and provide a social setting to help students feel included on campus.”
Phi U has also established connections with other campus organizations to give support and opportunities to UT Martin’s student body.
“We write cards of support for members of the faculty and students in the department when we learn that they are going through a hard time. Through our activities, we provide leadership to the other students in the department as well, creating lifelong friendships and encouraging our department’s students to reach for their highest scholastic excellence,” West said.
The members of the chapter are excited to build on the foundation they have already established next semester and increase their membership. Students interested in joining can contact Dr. Richards at aricha54@utm.edu or the chapter president, Hayleigh Austin. However, due to it being an honor society, students must be invited before they can join. Along with having taken and passed three classes within the FCS department.
“Phi Upsilon Omicron offers scholarships, travel opportunities and leadership skills along with an environment of learning opportunities, growth and personable skills needed for your future,” West said.
Students can stay up to date and follow the chapter on both Facebook and Instagram at “utm_phiu”.
