Sandy Jones Oral History Interview, February 2, 2022

Partial Transcript: Verbal Consent Statement

Segment Synopsis: David Brown reads Verbal Consent Statement and Sandy Jones complies.

Partial Transcript: Please describe where you grew up and childhood.

Segment Synopsis: Sandy grew up and still lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon. She attended Lakeridge high school with her brother.

Partial Transcript: What were you involved in while in high school?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy participated in cheerleading and photography for the school journal.

Partial Transcript: What was your experience on the cheer team?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy committed a lot of time to cheerleading. Yearly tryouts were held in front of the student body and seemed to be like popularity contests.

Partial Transcript: Did you ever think of cheerleading at OSU?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy had not plans to cheer at OSU due to the large time commitment and huge crowds. She had a few sorority sisters cheer for OSU though.

Partial Transcript: What was your initial draw to OSU?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy chose OSU due to the in-state price, the fact that her high school boyfriend attended OSU, and the good STEM education at OSU as she wanted to pursue pre-nursing.

Partial Transcript: Was there any conflict in the house with one child at UO and the other at OSU?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy's parents encouraged her to attend a junior college at first in order to save money. Sandy on the other hand wanted the full college experience.

Partial Transcript: What was your sorority rushing experience?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy's great aunt encouraged her to rush. She also had many friends from high school rush as well. The process was very organized and worked in a elimination fashion.

Partial Transcript: Who were some of your first people you met in the sorority?

Segment Synopsis: One of the first people that Sandy met in the sorority turned out to become her Big Sister in the house.

Partial Transcript: Did you live in the sorority house? What were you involved in within the sorority?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy lived in the sorority house for two years. Sandy was the fraternity education, a role which gave information about the sorority to the members of the house.

Partial Transcript: What were some of the major sorority events each year?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy recalled experiences from Rush Week, the annual Shasta Trip, and Wake-Up Breakfasts as some of her favorite events within the sorority.

Partial Transcript: Did you still have any Tri-Delt keepsakes?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy's great aunt gave Sandy her pin and Sandy also keeps her pin with her as well.

Partial Transcript: Were you involved in Tri-Delt's philanthropy?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy could not remember their specific philanthropy, but she knew that everyone was heavily involved in volunteer work.

Partial Transcript: What were chapter dinners like?

Segment Synopsis: There were formal dinners once a month. Every week there was dinner prior to weekly chapter. The cook for the house was a member of their brother fraternity.

Partial Transcript: What was the interaction like between Tri-Delt and their Big Brother Fraternity?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy noted that the Big Brother Program matched up older fraternity brothers with freshmen sorority girls to help with anything in a big brother role. The two houses also did several service projects together.

Partial Transcript: What was the Greek Life social scene like?

Segment Synopsis: There were functions all of the time and girls would often jump from party to party together on Greek Row.

Partial Transcript: Was there a curfew within the sorority house?

Segment Synopsis: As freshmen, study tables acted as a sort of set curfew but there was no curfew on weekends. The girls would sleep in sleeping porches at the house and a member would have the job of wake up calls for each member.

Partial Transcript: What were your parents' thoughts on you joining Greek Life?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy's parents made it clear that she would have to maintain good grades in order to stay in the sorority.

Partial Transcript: What were your parents' experiences at Mom's Weekend and Dad's Weekend?

Segment Synopsis: Mom's Weekend was always highlighted by IFC Sing, a large musical number event held by the fraternities and sororities. Dad's Weekend was highlighted by a men's basketball game. There were also parties with the parents prior and following these events.

Partial Transcript: What was the culture regarding sporting events when you were a student?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy noted that men's basketball games were the biggest events on campus as the team was very talented. Other big crowd games were football, with large tailgates, despite the team underperforming.

Partial Transcript: What was your OSU experience outside of Greek Life?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy did not do much at OSU that was not directly affiliated to Greek Life. Most groups and activities on campus were bolstered by Greek Life participation.

Partial Transcript: What was your academic experience at OSU?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy switched from pre-nursing to education while at OSU, partially due to sorority sisters having classes that she found very interesting. She was able to study with the girls in her sorority as well.

Partial Transcript: Was the transition from high school to college classrooms difficult?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy noted that her difficulty to pay attention made the large lecture classes more difficult for her. Once the classes became more major restrictive and smaller, she felt more comfortable.

Partial Transcript: What did you do after you graduated from OSU?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy went on to receive her Masters in Education from OSU while teaching in the Beaverton School District outside of Portland, Oregon. She continued teaching with the Beaverton School District for over a decade.

Partial Transcript: How did you meet your now-husband?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy became friends with Jeff in junior high and began dating going into her senior year of high school. They continued dating all through college.

Partial Transcript: Did you plan to marry Jeff after your graduated?

Segment Synopsis: After dating for a number of years, it was the next logical step for Sandy and Jeff to get married. Sandy's parents wanted to make sure that she focused on her schooling prior to getting married.

Partial Transcript: What changes have you noticed at OSU since your time as a student?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy noted that the campus has expanded but still looks roughly the same as they constructed with the same architectural vision. She specifically mentioned Weatherford Hall and how pretty it is now. Sandy also mentioned how sporting events seem to be similar with large tailgates and campus excitement.

Partial Transcript: What did recreational sports look like for students on campus?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy noted that a large majority of intramural sports teams were made by Greek houses, further showing how Greek involvement carries into all other aspects of campus involvement.

Partial Transcript: Did you have many friends outside of Greek Life?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy had several friends who dropped Greek Life but also some friends from her freshman dorm and classes.

Partial Transcript: What was your perception of your daughter joining Greek Life at another school?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy noted that she told her daughter that there is a need of self-love while rushing due to all of the rejection that takes place. She wishes that she had given her daughter more warning.

Partial Transcript: What was your experience with Parent's Weekend with your daughter?

Segment Synopsis: The Parent's Weekend events were not as organized as her experience at OSU. There was a brunch at the sorority and then parties hosted by the fraternities.

Partial Transcript: Was there any conflict with having a daughter at UO and a son at OSU?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy was simply glad that her children found the right fit for themselves at their respective schools.

Partial Transcript: What did you do after your teaching career?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy worked with Lewis and Clark College after the birth of her third child. After her children began school, she began to stay at home. Now that her children are all out of college, she is thinking about her next chapter, which likely will involve volunteer work.

Partial Transcript: What are the impacts of faith on your life?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy was raised a Catholic and raised her children the same. It is her cornerstone in all things. While in Tri-Delt, she would go to weekly church service with her sorority sisters. Now, her faith has pushed her toward volunteer work.

Partial Transcript: Is there anything else that you would like to share?

Segment Synopsis: Sandy and David thanked each other for their time and signed off.