By Beatriz Fernandez
Published: December 06, 2009

By Beatriz Fernandez
Daily Titan Staff Writer

Sorority life isn’t just about having fun and making friends. Sarah Voogt, the Panhellenic president at California State Fullerton, has shrugged off the misconceptions that many people have about sorority life and has helped changed the way sororities are viewed.

As the Panhellenic president, Voogt must oversee the six sororities, including her house, Sigma Kappa, on campus, conduct meetings with the Associated Students Inc. Vice President and Executive Senate and compile budget reports. “I have to report to the ASI president and inform her of how the sororities are spending the money they receive from ASI,” Voogt said.

The Panhellenic Council distributes the money it receives from ASI between the sororities and offers unbiased support to them. “Panhellenic makes decisions in regards to what benefits our sororities and make sure that the sororities are being run as they should,” Voogt said.

Voogt admits that part of her responsibilities include making difficult decisions that aren’t always popular. Though she became the president in January, she understands the importance of being unbiased.

“Sarah has had to make pretty tough decisions as the president, but she’s been very good at being equal and never putting her house first. She’s never had an alterior motive,” Laura Bergamini, Panhellenic alumna, said.

Voogt apologized for not being able to give details about decisions she has had to make. “We don’t discuss decisions we make, because we think it’s important to respect the privacy of our sisters,” Voogt said.

Though being the president has great responsibilities, Voogt also gets to interact with members of different sororities.

“I like that Panhellenic gets involved,” she said. “We support each sorority’s philanthropy and there are events, where we get to come together instead of compete with each other.”

Voogt saw being in a sorority as a great way to be a part of something. “I came from a really small high school (about 45 in her graduating class) and was a little intimidated by the size of our school,” Voogt said. “Being in a sorority seemed like an obvious choice for me.”

“Sarah’s always been a fun kid; she always made friends easily. She was the first in our family to join a sorority, but it didn’t really surprise me, because she’s outgoing,” Donna Voogt, Sarah’s mother, said.

Voogt was a cheerleader during her four years at Los Angeles Lutheran High School. Her mother believes that her personality has really allowed her to be the leader that she has become.

“She’s kind and if she sees someone in need, she always tries to help, but she is stubborn and sticks to her views. I think being the Panhellenic president has given Sarah the opportunity for (part of her character) to start shining through,” Donna added.

Bergamini believes that Voogt has given a lot to the sororities as well as taken from them. “I wouldn’t say that Sarah’s has changed, but she’s definitely proven that she’s able to handle the pressure. She’s a well-rounded person with good morals and high standards and she’s an great, outgoing leader.” Bergamini said.

Voogt plans on graduating in May with a political science degree. She will be taking a year off to study for the Law School Admission Test, LSAT, and applying to law schools in Southern California.

“She’s definitely persuasive and I think law school will be really good for her,” Donna said. “I don’t think being in a sorority has changed me as much as it has helped me make better decisions,” Voogt said. “I think it’s important for girls to know that sorority life is for everyone. Everyone is different and has something to offer, and sororities have something to offer everyone.”