Sorority Life
Alpha Omicron Pi | Alpha Sigma Tau | Zeta Phi Beta
CUMBERLAND UNIVERSITY
Office of Greek Affairs
Table of Contents Welcome Letter More Than Our Letters Our Community at a Glance Greek Councils What to Expect as a New Member Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. How Do I Join?
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FAQs Greek Speak Greek Alphabet
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Cumberland University Greek Life @mycugreeklife @cumberlandgreeklife cumberland.edu/greek-life/sororities
Dear Future Sister, Welcome to Cumberland University! We are excited you are interested in learning more about sorority life. When I first came to Cumberland, I was pretty nervous because I did not know anyone on campus. Through my sorority and Panhellenic, I've made great connections and lifelong friends. I am so grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to lead in this incredible community of women and partner with the finer women of Zeta Phi Beta. I am excited to see what this new year will bring and meet you in the fall. On behalf of all three sororities on campus, I want to be the first to welcome you! Our sorority women excel academically, philanthropically, and across campus. Being part of this group of women has provided me with the chance to grow as a person, leader, and sister. I am thankful every day that I decided to go Greek and could not imagine my time at CU without it. Our chapters offer a variety of experiences and a network of support and inspiration that you can't always find at bigger schools. No matter if you join our community or not, we hope to support you and wish you luck during your time at CU. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or I can support you in anyway. Go Cumberland Phoenix!
Savannah Rogers Panhellenic President
We Are More Than Our Letters
Sorority women as more than their letters. We are a community-conscious, actionoriented group of women. My sisters and I went from being complete strangers to the closest group of friends. Each of us demonstrate the principles that our organization strives to represent. Being a part of Greek Life here at Cumberland University has completely changed our lives. We now have a better opportunity to grow and learn alongside other organizations. In addition to the letters we wear, we belong to a lifelong sisterhood that we will continue to give back to long after we graduate college. Being Greek provides women with a chance to experience college life from a different perspective. For me personally, I've learned more about what it means to be a woman. I am part of something greater than myself. Above all else, Greek Life unites us not only with our sorors but with all collegiate sororities and fraternities. I hope you take the next step into joining our Greek family at CU. Callia Hall "There is a Zeta in a girl, regardless of race, creed, or color, who has high standards and principles, a good scholarly average, and an active interest in all things that she undertakes to accomplish. - Founder Viola Tyler Goings
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc Soror
Our Community at a Glance The average GPA of a sorority or fraternity member at CU is a 3.0.
66% of Greeks live off campus.
50% of Greeks are on TN Promise or TN Promise graduates.
On average, our Greeks complete over 1,900 service hours and raise over $4700 a year for our philanthropies.
35% of Greeks play varsity athletics, representing: Cheer/Dance, Cross Country, Tennis, Bowling, Volleyball, Golf, Baseball, Football, Basketball, and Softball teams.
52% of Greeks work either part or full time off campus.
National Panhellenic Council (NPC) Panhellenic is the governing body for Alpha Omicron Pi and Alpha Sigma Tau at Cumberland university, 2 of the 26 affiliated sororities. Panhellenic sponsors and coordinates Formal Recruitment each fall semester. Their mission is guided by their Panhellenic Creed, as well as 4 purposes: we are leaders, we are students, we are philanthropists, and we are sisters.
Greek Councils National Panhellenic Council (NPC) National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NHPC) The National Pan-Hellenic Council is the governing body for the "Divine Nine" historically African-American fraternities and sororities. NPHC aims to unify the 5 organizations represented on CU's campus through an emphasis on community service, academics, leadership development, and collaboration. Zeta Phi Beta is a proud member of NPHC.
What to Expect as a New Member As a new member of a sorority, your first semester acclimates you to sorority life at Cumberland University. Once you receive an invitation for membership, you will be required to attend regular new meetings until initiation. These programs educate you about the history, traditions, and rituals of your chapter and teach you how to live out chapter values in everyday life. You will have a selected member of your chapter chosen to guide you through your time. Your chapter will begin to feel like your home. Chapters are encouraged to have active members invite you to eat meals together and other activities. Often, active members will invite you to immediately attend regular events such as philanthropies, Greeksponsored activities, and community engagement opportunities.
Academic Obligation At the heart of our organizations is academic excellence. Many organizations offer study hours and opportunities for scholarship. As a new member, make sure to take advantage of academic opportunities your chapter offers you. It can be easy to get caught up in the social environment of your chapter; as a new member it should be one of your top priorities to contribute to your chapter's academic success.
Financial Obligation The first semester in a sorority, your dues and fees will be higher than those of active members. This is because many chapter have one time national and local fees that members must pay upon gaining membership to the organization. All members are required to pay the required dues.
Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority National Founding: November 4, 1899 University Founding: November 21, 1998 Mission: Invest in women by instilling the skills necessary to navigate life, and inspire members to enrich their own lives and the lives of others. Vision: Alpha Sigma Tau empowers women to excel in life. Motto: “Defining Excellence� Philanthropy: Women's Wellness Initiative Colors: Emerald Green and Purest Gold Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.5 High School or College @astdeltamu
Alpha Sigma Tau at Cumberland University
Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority National Founding: 1897 University Founding: November 14, 1999 Mission: "The object of the Fraternity shall be to encourage a spirit of Fraternity and love among its members; to stand at all times for character, dignity, scholarship, and college loyalty..." Motto: “Inspire Ambition� Philanthropy: Arthritis Foundation Color: Cardinal Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.5 High School or College @aoii_cumberland
Alpha Omicron Pi: Cumberland University
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
National Founding: January 16, 1920 Mission: The purpose of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is to foster the ideas of service, charity, scholarship, civil and cultural endeavors, sisterhood and finer womanhood. Motto: A community-conscious, action-oriented organization Partnerships: March of Dimes, St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, American Cancer Society, AARP, Women's Veterans Rock, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge System Colors: Royal Blue and White Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.5 college with 12 completed college credit hours @williamson_co_zetas
How do I Join? Recruitment and Intake process
National Panhellenic Council (NPC) Fall Semester: Together, AOII and AST host Formal Recruitment. Interested women are required to register to participate. Participants visit each chapter and learn their values, academics, and philanthropies. At the end, they practice mutual selection, balancing the preference of each potential new member with the chapters to extend membership bids. Spring Semester: One or both organizations will be eligible for additional members. Chapters will host events as needed to extend membership bids. Women are not required to pre-register to particiapte and can visit chapters of their choice.
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NHPC) Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. conducts a membership selection or "membership intake process" independently and at different times based on the need of their organization. The chapter will conduct an interest meeting that is business formal in nature. Attending an interest meeting is mandatory to join, but all interest women are should attend without pressure to join.
Frequently Asked Questions What is a sorority membership all about?
Sorority membership is about building lifelong friendships with individuals that share your values and interests. Every organization participates in community service and learns about diversity and continually educates their members about leading healthier lives and leading with integrity. Joining a sorority connects members with countless alumni and offers a career network that often benefits members as they enter into the workforce.
What are the university requirements for joining a sorority?
You are eligible to join a sorority at Cumberland University if you are a full time student (enrolled in at least 12 credits) and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. If you are a first-semester freshman, we use your high school GPA to determine eligibility. Academic standing requirements differ between organizations. Zeta Phi Beta, Inc. requires all potential new members to have a college GPA. If you have a question about a certain organizations requirement you can go to the organization or Greek Affairs.
What is the difference in intake and recruitment?
The difference is in the way the process is handled. Recruitment happens both semester and follows the rules of the National Panhellenic Council. An intake process is held based on the needs of individual each organization and holds more discretion during the process. They follow the rules outlined by their Organization and the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
How do I know which organization is right for me?
The best way to figure out which organization is the best fit for you is to hold true to yourself and the values you hold most dear. Visit chapter websites, social media accounts, and get to know the member during recruitment. Think about what you want from a sorority experience and which organization has the potential to fulfill your most meaningful values. The opportunity to make the choice that is right for you belongs to you. Sorority membership is a lifelong commitment, therefore, doing some research on the best mutual fit is important.
Will I be hazed?
There is a strict no hazing policy for all organizations under Greek Affairs. Any person that knows or suspects someone is being hazed is encouraged to contact Greek Affairs immediately. “Hazing” refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in a group) that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person's willingness to participate.
What is the new member process?
The new member process is the time between being given a “bid” or “invitation to join” and initiation. During this period, new members often learn more in-depth information about the organization they are about to join through a formal new member education period.
Greek Speak Active: an initiated chapter member Alumna: a female member who is not affiliated with a collegiate chapter but has graduated in good standing. Badge: the pin of an initiated member Bid: a formal invitation to membership Bid day: the last day of recruitment when new members accept their bids and officially join their new organization Big: short for “big sister”. An active member who serves as a mentor for new members Chapter: a local group of the larger organization Cross: Initiated. The new member the "crosses" over from a pledge to a new member. Initiation: the formal ceremony that brings a new member into full Greek membership. Each chapter has a different set of requirements that must be met in order to be initiated Legacy: the daughter, granddaughter, niece, or sister of an initiated member of a chapter Little: short for “little sister”. A new member who is mentored by an older member of the organization
New member: a potential member who has accepted the bid of a sorority but not yet initiated. New member period: the period of learning about sorority life prior to initiation. Philanthropy: a service project sponsored by a chapter from which goods, money, and/or time are given to a charitable organizations. Potential new member: a college woman who is interested in participating in recruitment Probate: Official public display of initiation often in the form of a step or show. This is the first time when newly imitated members of each organization are revealed to the rest of the campus. Recommendation: a written letter or statement recommending a potential new member for membership (generally written by an alumna of the chapter). Recruitment counselor: a neutral representative of Panhellenic who is there to guide and support potential new members throughout the recruitment process. Ritual: the ceremonies, values and traditions that each chapter holds dear and tries to practice in their everyday life.
Sister or Soror: a term used by sorority members to refer to one another Stroll: An informal form of Neophyte, meaning beginner. A neophyte is someone stepping. who is new to the organization.
Neo: An abbreviated term for the Greek word
Greek Alphabet A - alpha - al-fah B - beta - bay-tah đ?šŞ - gamma - gam-ah Δ - delta - del-ta Ε - epsilon - ep-si-lon Ζ - zeta - zay-tah Η - eta - at-tah Θ - theta - thay-tah I - iota - eye-o-tah K - kappa - cap-pah Λ - lambda - lamb-dah M - mu - mew
N - nu - new � - xi - zie O - omicron - om-e-cron Π- pi - pie P - rho - roe Σ - sigma - sig-mah T - tau - taw Y - upsilon - oop-si-lon ɸ - phi - fie X - chi - kie Ѱ - psi - sign Ί - omega - oh-may-gah