Alpha Phi History
The innovative leadership and organizational practices of Alpha Phi's Founders in 1872 set the spirit for the Alpha Phi of today, a sisterhood that values the past but looks forward to the progress offered by the future. Alpha Phi’s historical collections provide a glimpse into this past, and the lives of Alpha Phi women, and the collegiate experience in North America since the late-19th century.
Chapter History
The Iota Sigma chapter of Alpha Phi was installed with 67 members on April 6, 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The ceremony and charter signing took place on campus in the Connan Room, led by Alpha Phi International President Linda Long Boland (Gamma Kappa-CSU Long Beach). The installation banquet followed in the Alumni Concert Hall of the College of Fine Arts Building.
Academics
Academic success is important to all sisters of Alpha Phi. We hold weekly study sessions for sisters to have a designated time where they can do work together. We're always pushing each other to do better with a study room in our house that offers peace and quiet for sisters that need to focus.
As CMU can be a pretty stressful place, especially around finals time, our Director of Academics organizes events at the house to encourage healthy self-care routines. These events can include study sessions with Chipotle and Starbucks, hiring a private barista that makes unlimited coffee, or doing de-stress activities like making friendship bracelets.
Alpha Phi strives for success in all we do, especially when it comes to academics. As evidence of our efforts, we have been recognized as having the highest “All Greek” and Panhellenic Chapter GPA in the past, in addition to counting many University and College Honors recipients among our alumni, and seeing our upperclassmen participate in several honors societies.
Scholarship
The Alpha Phi Foundation provides both merit-based and need-based scholarships. Though these scholarships cannot be applied to Alpha Phi dues, they can be used for academic-related expenses such as tuition, course-related fees, and books/supplies.
Sisters can be of any academic year to apply (even in graduate school) but must be either an initiated member, or be initiated by May 15 of the year prior to when the scholarship is awarded.
Campus Life
Our house serves as a space for all our sisters to come together, whether it's to study together, to get ready together, or to eat together. (Note: Living in the house is considered mandatory unless there is a medical or financial reason it would not be feasible.)
In terms of structured events, our Director of Sisterhood works diligently to plan fun sisterhood events. These monthly events can include a trip to a local ice skating rink, cupcake baking and decorating, a movie night (complete with lots of ice cream), and several brunch trips (we’re very serious about brunch).
However, sisterhood isn’t just about brunch and the Bachelor. Here at Alpha Phi, we’re committed to supporting and empowering each other. Whether it be taking time during chapter for a self-care pep-talk, getting lessons about self-defense, or doing yoga right before finals week to center ourselves, the sisters of Alpha Phi are committed to being there for one another.
Aside from our structured sisterhood events, our sisters meet up daily around campus and at our chapter house to chat, study, and relax, and you can often find us in groups at Au Bon Pain or Tepper, or taking a break from the campus life in Shadyside or Squirrel Hill.
Values
Character, Innovation, Generosity, Sisterhood
Motto
Union Hand in Hand
Colors
Silver and Bordeaux
Symbol
Ivy Leaf
Lily of the Valley and Forget-Me-Not
