UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ALPHA PHI, THETA CHAPTER
ABOUT US
The University of Michigan, ranked the #2 public university in America, is located in in the heart of Ann Arbor. With over 32,000 students, across more than 280 academic programs and 14 schools, having a home in Alpha Phi makes this campus community feel much more connected. UMich is a top global university, pushing the boundaries of discovery to make a better world while providing students with life-changing opportunities in academics and more than 1,600 student clubs and organizations, like Alpha Phi. We are proud and honored to represent the University of Michigan - Go Blue!
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Alpha Phi International Fraternity is more than just a Greek organization – it’s a community of empowered women supporting one another for a lifetime. Our sisterhood stretches across the United States and Canada with 175 collegiate chapters and a global network of high-achieving alumnae. When you join Alpha Phi, you’re welcomed by a community of more than 270,000 members committed to lifelong friendships, leadership, academic excellence, personal growth and community involvement.
MAY 16, 1892
It took a record thirteen days for Theta, Alpha Phi’s eighth chapter, to come into being at the University of Michigan. A chapter had been desired there for many years, owing to the school’s early support for coeducation and its “reputation of scholarship second to no other institution of like grade in the land.” Delegates to the 1891 Convention had agreed to dispatch several representatives to assess the potential for a chapter there, but despite their efforts to establish a connection with students who would meet the Fraternity’s high standards for scholarship and character, a chapter had not yet been realized.
By the 1890s, the campus was crowded with women’s fraternities. Edith Greaves White (Delta-Cornell) took a special interest in establishing a chapter of Alpha Phi at the University of Michigan. On May 5, 1892, Edith and Mary Maltman Bass (Beta-Northwestern) met in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and laid plans for several days of work. Invitations were extended to ten women, and they accepted. Beta chapter supplied the bowknot pins they wore. The initiation of the charter members, conducted by Edith, Mary and Fannie Alabaster (Beta-Northwestern), took place on May 16, 1892, at the home of Mrs. Quigley. A banquet was held at Martha Orr's home.
The Theta Chapter of Alpha Phi plays a rather monumental, and important, role in history for all women's groups that shaped history for years to come.
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In response to the issues faced by sororities on campuses and the lack of rules regulating pledging and other matters, International President Margaret Mason Whitney (Theta-Michigan) called together the leaders of the seven largest sororities for a meeting in Chicago in 1902.
This meeting is viewed as the founding of the Inter-Sorority Conference, which later became, as we now know it, the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC).
NPC is the overarching governing organization of the sorority experience. Today, is made up of 26 women’s-only inter/national member organizations. Through its advocacy, NPC seeks to enlist nearly 5 million collegiate and alumnae sorority women in its efforts to showcase the transformational power of the sorority experience.
ANN ARBOR IS HOME
Alpha Phi has had four homes in Ann Arbor since 1892. Our first home was on Ann & Division Streets from 1893-1907. In 1907-1911 Alpha Phi moved to a larger home. In 1911-1925, the Alpha Phi house was 814 South University Ave.
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Alpha Phi had an annex house on 1827 Hill Street, which seemed to be the ideal location for members.
In 1925, Alpha Phi built the house we still occupy today- 1830 Hill Street.
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Our house sleeps 52, has renovated bathrooms, a workout room, study room, chapter room, full-time chef services, and many more amenities.
Through all the years, one thing remains the same. The spirit of sisterhood that lives between the walls of the houses Alpha Phi calls home is everlasting and the memories never fade.