HELLO
CURRENT & FUTURE
ALPHA PHI PARENTS!
In Alpha Phi, not only is there a place for your daughter, but there is also a place for you. Whether it's moving your daughter into 1830 Hill, her calling you in excitement on Bid Day, dancing the night away with her at Red Dress Gala, cheering on the Wolverines in matching shirts during Family Weekend tailgates, or enjoying a weekend of activities with your daughter during Mom or Dad's days, we encourage that Alpha Phi is also an experience for the parents of our chapter. By attending these events, we hope you as parents can walk away feeling confident that your daughter has blossomed into a wonderful young woman and has found her home away from at Alpha Phi.
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Did you know that 85% of Fortune 500 executives were a part of Greek life? Since 1825, all but three U.S. presidents have been members of a fraternity. The first female astronaut was Greek. So was the first female senator. And college graduation rates are 20% higher among Greeks than non-Greeks (USA Today). Being a member of a Greek organization has numerous benefits. In Alpha Phi, one of our high ideals is scholarship. We want your daughter to feel supported & empowered by this sisterhood as she furthers her education and networks in her future career field. We understand that Alpha Phi is a time commitment, but recognize that we are here first and foremost to pursue a degree. We offer a variety of options to support your daughter in her quest for a strong GPA, continued education, and ultimately reaching her dream career goals.
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We’re excited to share in your daughter’s collegiate journey and introduce her to our lifelong sisterhood and network of over 175,000+ members worldwide.
If you were not in Greek Life, some things may sound "this is all Greek to me" so we encourage you to check out our quick dictionary below. Just a little cheat sheet!
In a Gallup-Purdue Index Study, it was found that college graduates who were in fraternities and sororities were more likely to be thriving in all five critical elements of well-being (purpose, social, financial, physical and community). Subjects were found to have:
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Felt more motivated to achieve goals
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Had stronger emotional support systems
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Been more effective at managing economic life and increased financial security
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Been more likely to be engaged in the community
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Higher rates of physical wellbeing
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Fraternity and sorority members were also found to be more engaged in the workplace and invested in experiential learning opportunities
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This video provides additional information on the benefits of membership in fraternal organizations.
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"WHAT IS MY DAUGHTER SAYING"
GREEK VOCABULARY
Alumna: An initiated member of a sorority who has graduated from college and is no longer an active member (plural: Alumnae)
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Bid: A formal invitation to join a fraternity or sorority.
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Big: Nickname for big sister, a mentor assigned to a new member. Most likely a member a year or two older, who will welcome them into their "Phi" family. This relationship is typically much sweeter than one you have witnessed at home.
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Chapter: A membership unit of a national or international sorority or fraternity at that partner University.
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Dues: The monetary costs of membership in a fraternity or sorority. These fees are used to cover the costs of social events, community activities, sisterhood events, international fees, chapter operations, and other events. Alpha Phi dues are all-inclusive meaning everything the members are asked to participate in, and have the opportunity to attend, are covered. Your daughter will try to purchase extra clothing items, that's for sure.
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Family or "Phi" Family or "Lineage": Don't worry, we could never replace you. Our Phi fam or lineage is our big, our big's big, our bigs, big's big. Or our grand big, great grand big, etc. Each of us have our own little family within our sisterhood!
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Founders Day: An event celebrated by fraternities and sororities to highlight the founding of their organization and celebrate its history. It's not necessarily held on the day the organization was founded. Alpha Phi's Founders Day is October 10th!
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Initiation: The traditional ritual or formal ceremony of induction, which marks the transition to full membership of a fraternity or sorority. Alpha Phi alumnae are welcome to attend your daughter's initiation. Many Alpha Phi parents will also send their daughter flowers on initiation.
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Legacy: Alpha Phi legacies are an important part of our tradition! Many legacies choose to join Alpha Phi and enjoy sharing in the bond of sisterhood with their mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, stepsisters or sisters. Some legacies may find homes in other chapters, but remain an important part of the Alpha Phi family.
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Panhellenic Council: The governing body for all women's sororities on campus.
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Philanthropy: Philanthropy is a term used to describe charitable events performed by Greek organizations. Alpha Phi's philanthropy is the Alpha Phi Foundation supporting women's cardiac care.
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Potential New Member (PNM): PNM stands for Potential New Member and is used by the Panhellenic Council to describe all those women that have the potential to go through formal recruitment. This includes incoming freshmen and upperclassmen that have not joined a Panhellenic sorority.
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Rho Gamma: Rho Gammas (RG in Greek letters standing for "recruitment guides") are members of a Panhellenic sorority that have disaffiliated from their sorority to help with formal recruitment in the winter. Once disaffiliation occurs (one month before recruitment), that sorority woman is no longer allowed to state which of the 16 Panhellenic sororities she belongs to and instead she is known as a "Rho Gamma." During fall recruitment, Rho Gammas assist PNMs going through the recruitment process. It is their job to answer questions and help guide PNMs into the sorority that is right for them. The disaffiliation process helps to provide a more unbiased front for the women.
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Recommendation: A statement or letter from an alumnus/alumna or an active member of a fraternity/sorority, which recommends a prospective member for membership.
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Ritual: The traditional rites and ceremonies of a fraternity or sorority; these are almost always private and known only to initiated members of a fraternal organization.
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Sister: The term used by members of sororities when referring to each other.