Order of Omega's History and Purpose

— Omega History —

As recorded on the national Order of Omega website:

“The Order of Omega was founded at the University of Miami in the fall of 1959 by a group of outstanding fraternity men, who felt that individuals in the Greek community should be recognized for their service to the fraternity system and the University. The Chapter at Miami had long desired for their organization to expand to other colleges and universities. The Chapter gave its sanction to Dean Patrick W. Halloran to make initial inquiries and to further grant charters to universities that were accredited and interested in the purpose of The Order of Omega. On February 9, 1967, a Chapter was chartered at the University of Southern Mississippi. There are now over three hundred chapters in the United States with approximately ten additional campuses that are petitioning the national.”

— Lambda Rho Chapter History —

The Lambda Rho chapter of Order of Omega was founded at Dartmouth College in 1991. As of 2004, the chapter has 70 members from 20 different Greek houses.

The Dartmouth chapter is active in promoting Omega's goals, honoring exceptional Greek students, and serving the Dartmouth community. The Dartmouth chapter was named the nation's 2002-2003 Outstanding Chapter by the national Order of Omega. In 2004, the chapter was recognized by the Northeast Greek Leadership Association as an outstanding chapter for its effort in coordinating the student United Way campaign, which raised over $5,000 for charity.

— Organizational Mission —

Order of Omega is dedicated to these goals:

• To recognize students in the Greek system for their outstanding scholarship.
• To bring together outstanding students in the Greek system to help build and strengthen relationships between students, faculty, administrators, and the community at large.
• To enhance the College's academic community, both inside and outside the Greek system.
• To serve as a positive link between the Greek system and the community, and to promote service to the community.

— Omega At Dartmouth —

Here on the Dartmouth campus, Omega pursues these goals through a number of activities, including (to single-out a few highlights): publising a quarterly newsletter highlighting events and accomplishments within the Greek system, organizing and overseeing service projects and charitable drives, inviting faculty speakers to Omega meetings, hosting an annual faculty reception, presenting informational programs about academics and the Greek system that are open to the campus, and bestowing achievement awards upon outstanding Greek houses and students.

— Committee Structure —

The Dartmouth chapter is organized into a series of committees that each focus on an aspect of Omega's mission and involvment with the College and community:
   » Scholarship: The scholarship committee pursues a number of academic-related projects, such as producing a manual for Greek scholarship chairs and hosting regular faculty/student receptions.
   » Community Service: The service committee coordinates Omega's service and philantrophy activities. These include both large scale events, like the United Way campaign, and smaller programs.
   » Leadership: The leadership committee coordinates Omega's outreach efforts with other Greek organizations and the commuity at large, and works to improve the Greek system's relations with the campus.
   » Publicity: The publicity committee produces the termly Greek Times newsletter and works to publicize Omega and the positive aspects of Greek membership.
   » Awards: The awards committee, composed both of members and administration/faculty advisors, coordinates and deliberates on the chapter's annual awards for outstanding achievements by Greek houses and members.
   » Selection: The selection committee, composed both of members and administration/faculty advisors, is in charge of evaluating Omega selection guidelines and applications for admission.