What is a sorority?
A sorority is an all-female organization that participates in a number of social, philanthropic and academic activities. UC San Diego has twelve Panhellenic sorority chapters (including Alpha Chi Omega) and several Multicultural sororities, as well as Interfraternity and Multicutural fraternity chapters. Sororities offer opportunities to get involved on campus by interacting with other sororities, fraternities, sports teams and other organizations on campus. Members may also gain unique networking, personal development, and professional development, and leadership opportunities through both in and beyond their collegiate experience.
To learn more about the different Sorority and Fraternity Life councils, chapters, and ways to get involved at UC San Diego, please visit www.tritongreeks.org
To learn more about the different Sorority and Fraternity Life councils, chapters, and ways to get involved at UC San Diego, please visit www.tritongreeks.org
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERshIP?
Any female-identifying undergraduate student at UC San Diego who is not already affiliated with another sorority is eligible for membership in the Iota Nu chapter of Alpha Chi Omega so long as she meets our membership standards. Women who have previously been initiated into another sorority are not eligible for membership. Transfer students who were initiated into an Alpha Chi Omega chapter at another university are eligible to re-affiliate with the Iota Nu chapter of Alpha Chi Omega. If this applies to you, please contact us and we will work with you to set up a mutual selection process to help decide upon your re-affiliation.
WHAT IS FORMAL RECRUITMENT? WHERE CAN I REGISTER?
Recruitment is a several-day process where girls get to know each of the twelve Panhellenic Chapters on our campus. Potential New Members, also known as PNMs, will have the opportunity to visit each chapter and learn more about them. During the visits, you will meet active members of each chapter who will provide more information about their chapter with you and you both have the opportunity to know one another on an individual basis. Through this process, Potential New Members learn the ideals of each Panhellenic sorority including their philanthropy, sisterhood and social events. Panhellenic Recruitment at UC San Diego is a valued-based process that incorporates a mutual selection system designed to help you find the chapter that is the best fit for you!
On the first day of recruitment you will be placed in a group of about 10 girls and assigned a non-affiliated member of Panhellenic, called a Recruitment Guide or "Rho Gamma." Your Rho Gamma will help you through each day of recruitment and answer all of your questions about Sorority & Fraternity Life or recruitment that you may have and guide you to your chosen house. Your group will attend the following events during recruitment:
More specifics of what to expect during these six days can be found on the Panhellenic Recruitment page. Registration is also hosted there, opening in the Summer prior to each Fall quarter.
On the first day of recruitment you will be placed in a group of about 10 girls and assigned a non-affiliated member of Panhellenic, called a Recruitment Guide or "Rho Gamma." Your Rho Gamma will help you through each day of recruitment and answer all of your questions about Sorority & Fraternity Life or recruitment that you may have and guide you to your chosen house. Your group will attend the following events during recruitment:
- Day One: Values Day Part 1
- Day Two: Values Day Part 2
- Day Three: Philanthropy Day
- Day Four: Sisterhood Day
- Day Five: Preference "Pref" Night
- Day Six: Bid Day
More specifics of what to expect during these six days can be found on the Panhellenic Recruitment page. Registration is also hosted there, opening in the Summer prior to each Fall quarter.
WHAT IS INFORMAL RECRUITMENT?
Informal Recruitment, also known as Continuous Open Bidding (COB), occurs when a sorority decides to recruit past Fall formal recruitment, sometimes extending into the Winter and/or Spring quarters. Not all Panhellenic sororities will participate in COB. Events that occur during this process are much more casual than Formal Recruitment in the sense that each sorority is responsible for planning and executing events individually. Alpha Chi Omega will often host informational tabling on Library Walk at the beginning of Winter or Spring quarter to promote any COB events. These events may include info sessions to inform Potential New Members about our values, sisterhood, and philanthropy as well as opportunities for interested Potential New Members (PNMs) to meet the active members!
For more information about our informal recruitment process
For more information about our informal recruitment process
WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A SORORITY?
Many girls ask themselves a number of questions when deciding which sorority truly fits them. Some questions to consider when in this position:
The best advice we can give you when meeting actives from each chapter is to be yourself! This is the guaranteed way for you to find the best chapter for you that will provide you with the best opportunities, friends and memories.
- What values do I admire most?
- Which chapter has similar values to my own?
- Which girls could I call at any time of the day?
- Which chapter do I see myself spending my college career in?
- Who did I have the most genuine or meaningful conversations with?
- What letters would I be proud to wear on a daily basis?
- Which chapter fits my budget the best?
The best advice we can give you when meeting actives from each chapter is to be yourself! This is the guaranteed way for you to find the best chapter for you that will provide you with the best opportunities, friends and memories.
What is a "New member class"?
Each New Member Class will include all of the women who receive their bid from Alpha Chi Omega the quarter that they go through recruitment. Our chapter refers to each new member class by the quarter during which their recruitment took place (i.e. Fall '18).
New members of Alpha Chi Omega are expected to attend weekly chapter meetings and weekly new member meetings, where they will gain insight to chapter business and learn the values and traditions of Alpha Chi Omega alongside their new sisters. During the new member period, new members will be given a number of opportunities to bond with each other and with lifetime members (initiated members) of the chapter, making memories that will last a lifetime. At the end of the new member period, your class will participate in the Initiation Ceremony together in order to become lifetime members of Alpha Chi Omega.
New members of Alpha Chi Omega are expected to attend weekly chapter meetings and weekly new member meetings, where they will gain insight to chapter business and learn the values and traditions of Alpha Chi Omega alongside their new sisters. During the new member period, new members will be given a number of opportunities to bond with each other and with lifetime members (initiated members) of the chapter, making memories that will last a lifetime. At the end of the new member period, your class will participate in the Initiation Ceremony together in order to become lifetime members of Alpha Chi Omega.
Who will lead me through my new member process before initiation?
The new member period is an opportunity for new members to learn more about Alpha Chi Omega and adjust to the chapter experience before fully committing to membership. The Vice President of New Member Education serves as the primary guide and resource to all new members. The VP NME is responsible for facilitating the New Member Education program to teach new members about the history, values, standards, and traditions of Alpha Chi Omega. She is available to address any questions or concerns throughout the new member period and beyond. In addition, new members can expect to be paired with older sisters during the first several weeks of this period. These pairings serve to help more sisters get to know each other and allows new members to have a more individualized resource each week. The older sisters they are paired with will often be potential "Big Sisters" for the incoming new members. Once assigned, Big Sisters serve as a long-lasting mentor to their Little Sisters.
What is initiation?
Initiation is a private ceremony used to welcome our new members into the lifelong sisterhood of Alpha Chi Omega. Each sorority hosts its own Initiation Ceremony that is unique to its organization's traditions. Initiation is a special ceremony based on years-old tradition that every sorority woman has had the privilege of participating in and will cherish for a lifetime. To learn more about our ritual visit alphachiomega.org
Does Alpha Chi OMega haze?
Alpha Chi Omega does not condone hazing of any kind. Hazing is considered a form of domestic violence, and as supporters of domestic violence awareness, we make it a priority to ensure every new member has a happy, healthy, and safe new member experience. We take any and all concerns relating to hazing seriously and provide a number of resources for members. New members and lifetime members alike should feel welcome to reach out to any executive officer for support, namely the VP New Member Education, VP Risk Management, VP Chapter Relations & Standards, and/or the Chapter President.
What can i gain from joining a sorority?
Sorority life gives members the opportunity to partake in leadership positions, intramural sport teams, and social activities (ie. dinners, dances and parents weekends). A sorority provides opportunities to make lifelong friendships through an unbreakable bond. You will have many memorable experiences you will cherish for life. In addition, sorority provides networking opportunities in the professional world with resume workshops and conventions that Alpha Chis can attend
What are Alpha Chi Omega's core values?
The women of Alpha Chi Omega exemplify Academic Interest, Character, Financial Responsibility, Leadership Ability, and Personal Development. Alpha Chi Omega believes in the importance of intellectual development and encourages scholarship and intellectual achievement. Alpha Chi Omega expects members to accept and reflect moral integrity and dignity, social awareness, and fraternity loyalty. Alpha Chi Omega expects members to be responsible for the prompt payment of all dues and fees and other financial commitments. Alpha Chi Omega believes that character, personality, and leadership are developed through participation in campus activities and encourages each collegian to be interested in her community. Alpha Chi Omega believes in the development of members in their cultural appreciation, the social awareness, and personal presentation. To learn more about our organization, visit alphachiomega.org
Is there a minimum G.p.a. to join Alpha Chi Omega?
Each member of Alpha Chi Omega is expected to maintain a minimum quarterly and cumulative GPA of 2.6. Elected executive officers are expected to maintain a GPA of 2.7. Grades are assessed at the beginning of each quarter, taking the GPA for the most recently completed quarter into account. If a member's quarterly and/or cumulative GPA falls below the requirement, she will be asked to attend a meeting with the Chapter Relations and Standards Board (CRSB), a resource that supports members through various personal, behavioral, and academic circumstances. During this meeting, the CRSB and VP Intellectual will work with the member to develop a viable Academic Plan to help that member get back on track academically. In addition to this, our chapter provides a number of opportunities to help members succeed regardless of their current GPA.
The Panhellenic Association recommends Potential New Members to have a GPA of 2.7 to participate in Formal Recruitment.
The Panhellenic Association recommends Potential New Members to have a GPA of 2.7 to participate in Formal Recruitment.