Eta Iota Sigma
Encyclopedia
Eta Iota Sigma, or "ΗΙΣ", is a Christian
sorority currently located on the campuses of Texas Christian University
and Southern Methodist University
. The sorority is represented by the Greek letters ΗΙΣ (Eta Iota Sigma). The nickname "HIS" comes not only from the Greek letters (which resemble the English letters H, I, and S), but also from the sorority's motto, "He is Sufficient" taken from the Hebrew word "Dayenu". The motto also comes from II Corinthians 3:5, Eta Iota Sigma's official Bible
verse: "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our sufficiency comes from God."
The sorority also says on their official website that:
The organization does not participate in official Pan-Hellenic Council rush on either campus but states that they allow any Christian female at either TCU or SMU to join. Instead each new member must agree to "participate in a one-semester period of preparation and training in the ideals and purposes of Eta Iota Sigma".
The national board of Eta Iota Sigma has decided that it will not establish a chapter at any school where another Christian sorority already exists.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
sorority currently located on the campuses of Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
and Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
. The sorority is represented by the Greek letters ΗΙΣ (Eta Iota Sigma). The nickname "HIS" comes not only from the Greek letters (which resemble the English letters H, I, and S), but also from the sorority's motto, "He is Sufficient" taken from the Hebrew word "Dayenu". The motto also comes from II Corinthians 3:5, Eta Iota Sigma's official Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
verse: "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our sufficiency comes from God."
History
Eta Iota Sigma was founded at Texas Christian University by Jennifer Festa, Christi McCann, and Britta Dimick in 1992. The founders wanted to start the organization after looking for a pre-established Christian sorority and failing to find one at TCU. They originally looked to a Christian sorority at the University of Texas at Austin to start a chapter at TCU but the sorority decided against starting a chapter at TCU. Eventually, a Christian sorority at UCLA decided to colonize on TCU's campus but the founders thought the requirements were too rigid, so the current fifteen members decided to establish a sorority on their own. Once the chapter at TCU had been established for about seven years, a chapter followed at Southern Methodist University in 1999 started by Lois Anderson and Catherine Jagers. The organization continues to grow on both the TCU and SMU campuses. The sorority's founding verse is II Corinthians 3:5. Their supporting verses can be found in I Peter 2:9 and I John 1:7. The letters Eta, Iota, and Sigma indicate that each member truly belongs to God, which is where the sorority derives one of their supporting verses from (I Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of the darkness and into his wonderful light."). The sorority's official colors are scarlet and white. Their official symbol is the dove and their flower is the lily of the valley.National Board
Three graduating executive members of TCU's chapter started a national board for the two chapters to be able to communicate and make sure that each chapter was being held to the same standards. There are five positions on national board: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Chapter Liaison. Any board member must have been on the executive board at either chapter. A national conference is held every two years at which both chapters and national board attend. The purpose of the national board is to serve as representatives for the sorority, support each chapter with their individual needs, help in the process of starting a new chapter, and make sure the sorority's constitution is upheld.Purpose
The stated purpose of the sorority is to "establish a sisterhood among women on college campuses who seek to nourish their bond with the Lord Jesus Christ"http://www.etaiotasigma.tcu.edu/.The sorority also says on their official website that:
- By the realization of the idea that God is sufficient to their growth through fellowship and exaltation of the Lord, the members of HIS may serve as a light and appeal to the needs of other women on campus. This idea comes from the BibleBibleThe Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
verse: "But if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin." (I John 1:7)
Organization
The sorority encourages their members to get involved in the community by offering many chair positions to serve in. The sorority also requires its members to complete two hours of philanthropy per semester in order to be involved in the community together.The organization does not participate in official Pan-Hellenic Council rush on either campus but states that they allow any Christian female at either TCU or SMU to join. Instead each new member must agree to "participate in a one-semester period of preparation and training in the ideals and purposes of Eta Iota Sigma".
The national board of Eta Iota Sigma has decided that it will not establish a chapter at any school where another Christian sorority already exists.