BSC Birmingham-Southern College 13 - 14 greeklife guideto
BSC Birmingham-Southern College
13-14 greeklifeguideto
Birmingham-Southern College
Welcome to the Birmingham-Southern College community! As you are making plans for your academic
career, I hope you take advantage of the wide range of opportunities available outside of the classroom
to enhance your college experience. BSC offers opportunities for involvement in a multitude of student
activities and organizations that are available to supplement a wide variety of academic pursuits.
One of the avenues of involvement to consider is Fraternity and Sorority Life. Through membership
in a fraternity or sorority, students can enjoy the advantages of companionship and support, leadership
development, community service, recreational and social activities, campus involvement, academic
assistance, personal growth, small group living, and lifelong friendships.
Fraternities and sororities have been a part of campus life for over 140 years. Fraternity and sorority
alumni nationwide indicate that their fraternal membership was a vital component of their college
experiencethrough alumni networking, they continue to receive long-term benefits from their Greek
affiliations. I encourage you to consider Fraternity and Sorority Life as you explore your options for
participation in student activities.
Sincerely,
David Eberhardt, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Development
[email protected] | (205) 226-4722
welcome
BSC
experience
greek LIFe mIssIon statement
The mission of the Greek community at Birmingham-Southern College is to promote
academic excellence, demonstrate civic engagement and philanthropic outreach, and
create an inter-fraternal family among all members. We are committed to helping
people reach their full potential and become successful after college life.
experience
From the panheLLenIc and InterFraternIty councILsjointletter
explore
On behalf of the Birmingham-Southern College Greek community, congratulations on your decision
to attend one of the best colleges in the Southeast. Your decision to attend BSC shows a commitment to
community involvement and intellectual growth as well as a desire to be challenged. Greek Life is a great
way to fulfill these expectations for your college experience, and we hope you will see that Greek Life
is filled with people who share these interests. At BSC, our Interfraternal and Panhellenic communities
have three main goals: first, we hope to help foster academic excellence among our members and set high
standards for the general BSC community; second, we provide opportunities for members to participate in
philanthropic service; third, we form bonds with other Greek individuals that will continue to grow long
after your time at BSC.
Birmingham-Southerns Greek community is unique because we form sincere bonds and friendships
not only in each sorority and fraternity, but also across different organizations. The confidence gained
from being part of an organization of people who truly care about you can help develop your leadership
and interpersonal skills. Every student finds his or her unique place at Birmingham-Southern, but we
believe that Greek Life can benefit everyone.
Trey Weber Catie Gilliland
IFC President Panhellenic President
With an average incoming GPA of 3.5, it is obvious that BSC
attracts the best and brightest students. Sororities and fraternities
proudly reflect this high level of achievement through the chapter
academic averages that are earned annually. Each fraternity and
sorority maintains internal academic standards that all members
are expected to meet. Fraternity and sorority members also have the
opportunity to apply for national scholarships provided through
their organizations educational foundation.
Semester GPA Greeks only OverallFall 2012 Womens 3.28 3.05
Fall 2012 Mens 3.00 2.74
Spring 2013 Womens 3.30 3.07
Spring 2013 Mens 3.09 2.79
guIde to greek LIFe
scholarshipThe BSC Greek system has provided me great academic support, especially early on as a freshman. Having a
group interested in my success as a student in my first semester at BSC made a huge difference in my academic career. Being surrounded by a group of men all striving towards academic excellence has given me encouragement and the drive to succeed in all of my classes for the betterment of myself, my individual organization, and the Greek system as a whole.
AUSTIN CULVERClass of 2015
exploreexcel
BSC attracts some of the brightest young leaders
in the nation who are looking for ways to get
involved as they begin their college careers.
Being a part of BSCs Greek community can
help you find your niche and provide you with
opportunities to strengthen those leadership
skills. Greek students are involved in numerous
clubs, organizations, and athletic teams on
campus to create a well-balanced college
experience.
Each chapter is self-governing and relies on
the special talents of its members for successful
management. Whether it is assuming an office,
leading a committee, or developing a new
program, there are many ways to strengthen and
build your leadership skills.
When I first came to Birmingham-Southern, I wasnt even sure that Greek life was for me. Good thing I changed my mind! Joining the Greek community here at
BSC has been life-changing. I really learned the value of Greek life after I was selected to serve as the chapter president of my sorority during my sophomore year. Being president taught me how to balance extracurricular activities while still keeping up my grades, and I learned what it truly means to serve in a leadership position. Greek life here at BSC is truly unique, and being a member of a Greek organization will allow you to grow personally and intellectually.
LAUREN fUgITClass of 2013
leadership
One of the most rewarding aspects of being involved in
Fraternity and Sorority Life at BSC is participating in service
and philanthropic events organized by individual chapters
and the Greek community as a whole. Working together
on such projects not only benefits worthy causes, but also
fosters personal growth and greater unity among individual
members. Activities include Halloween on the Hilltop,
Habitat for Humanity, Up Til Dawn, tutoring at local schools,
volunteering with NorthStar Youth Ministries, Circle of
Sisterhood, and sponsoring neighborhood activities.
In 2012-13, the BSC fraternity and sorority community
donated more than $50,000 to various philanthropic
organizations and gave countless hours of service in chapter-
sponsored events.
guIde to greek LIFe
community service
Greek life was Greek to me. I did not have Greek life at the college I attended and the stories that I heard from other moms as their daughters were pledging did not impress me. I thought that Greek life was made of random rules,
high fees, and an emphasis on social clichs. Then my daughter was given the chance to become a Pi Phi member at BSC and I learned all the wonderful things that Greek life could bring into a students life. Through Pi Phi my daughter has gained a family of supportive friends who are always there for her, and she has gained immeasurable leadership skills and confidence. What my daughter gained from this experience far outweighs the cost. She has built friendships with girls who have the same desires, work ethics, and values that are important to her. I have also seen her develop a deeper commitment to philanthropic work. Greek life is no longer Greek to me and I am so glad because it has been a wonderful addition in helping my daughter blossom into a well-rounded citizen.
LISA fLAggBSC Parent
Fraternity and sorority
experience is not limited
to the college years; it
continues throughout life.
Organizations maintain
alumni associations or
graduate chapters around
the country to keep the
lifetime commitment strong.
The relationships you
make with alumni provide
opportunities for networking
and mentoring throughout
your career.
guIde to greek LIFe
brotherhood/sisterhoodAt Birmingham-Southern College, being a part
of a chapter cannot be compared to any other
experience. Brotherhood and sisterhood is not
about conformityno organization is made
up of members who are exactly alike. Rather,
they promote individualism paired with mutual
respect, trust and cooperation.
networking
interfraternity councilThe Interfraternity Council is the governing body of the six fraternities at BSC. The
IFC Council is responsible for communication among fraternities, programming for
the fraternities, and especially fraternity recruitment. To learn more and register for
recruitment, visit:
Since 1879, fraternities have enriched the lives of BSCs brightest young men. The Interfraternity Council at Birmingham-Southern exemplifies what Greek organizations should be. We seek students who have a commitment to our college and its rigorous academic tradition. No other student organizations are as unique as ours. Joining a fraternity is a lifelong commitment to brotherhood, service, leadership, and scholarship.
TREy WEBERClass of 2014
what Is the InterFraternIty councIL?
networking
www.bscifc.com.
Alpha Tau OmegaName: Alpha Tau Omega Chapter: Beta BetaNickname: ATONational Founding Date: 1865Location: Virginia Military Institute BSC Founding Date: 1885Colors: Azure and GoldFlower: White Tea RoseMotto: The Positive ExperienceLocal Philanthropy: Impact Alabama Japan Earthquake Relief Contact Us Box 549104 Birmingham AL 35254 www.atobetabeta.org
ATW
Kappa Alpha OrderName: Kappa Alpha OrderChapter: Phi Chapter (7th oldest in nation)Nickname: KANational Founding Date: December 21, 1865 Location: Washington & Lee UniversityBSC Founding Date: 1882Colors: Crimson and Old GoldFlower: Red Rose and MagnoliaMotto: Excellence Is Our Aim.National Philanthropy: Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)
Contact Us Box 549103 Birmingham AL 35254 birmingham-southern.kappaalphaorder.org
KA
Sigma Alpha EpsilonName: Sigma Alpha EpsilonChapter: Alabama IotaNickname: SAENational Founding Date: March 9, 1856Location: University of Alabama BSC Founding Date: November 11, 1878Colors: Purple and GoldFlower: VioletMotto: True GentlemenLocal Philanthropy: Alabama Wildlife Federation
Contact Us Box 549105 Birmingham AL 35254 [email protected] www.saeepsilon.org/iota
SAE
Sigma ChiName: Sigma ChiChapter: Chi ChiNickname: SigsNational Founding Date: Jun 28, 1855 Location: Miami UniversityBSC Founding Date: March 5, 1993Colors: Blue and Old GoldFlower: White RoseMotto: In Hoc Signo VincesNational Philanthropy: Childrens Miracle Network and
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Contact Us Birmingham AL 35254 Box 549101 www.bscsigmachi.com
SC
Sigma NuName: Sigma NuChapter: Lambda ThetaNational Founding Date: January 1, 1869Location: Virginia Military InstituteBSC Founding Date: 1987Colors: Black, White, GoldFlower: White RoseMotto: Love, Truth, HonorNational Philanthropy: St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital Contact Us Box 549097 Birmingham, AL 35254 www.sigmanubsc.com
SN
Theta ChiName: Theta ChiChapter: Beta XiNickname: Theta ChiNational Founding Date: April 10, 1856Location: Norwich UniversityBSC Founding Date: 1942Colors: Military Red, WhiteFlower: Red CarnationMotto: Extend The Helping HandLocal Philanthropies: Habitat for Humanity Firehouse Mens Shelter in Birmingham
Contact Us Box 549106 Birmingham, AL 35254 www.thetachibsc.com
qC
panhellenic council
The Panhellenic Council is the governing body of the
six sororities at BSC. The Panhellenic Council strives
to develop women through academic success and
service. We promote womens leadership, diversity,
and strong relationships
between each chapter. To learn more and
register for recruitment, visit:
what Is the panheLLenIc councIL?
I enjoy being a part of the BSC Greek community because we are a truly unique system that gives everyone a chance to reach beyond their full potential. We build strong relationships between our brothers, sisters, and alumni. I think my experience at BSC would not have been the same if I had not been a part of Greek Life.
CATIE gILLILANdClass of 2014
www.bscpanhellenic.com.
Alpha Chi OmegaName: Alpha Chi OmegaChapter: Alpha OmegaNickname: Alpha ChiNational Founding Date: Oct 15, 1885Location: DePauw UniversityBSC Founding Date: April 9, 1926Mascot: LyreColors: Scarlet Red and Olive GreenFlower: CarnationNational Philanthropy: Alpha Chi Omega Foundation
Contact Us BSC Box 549107 Birmingham, AL 35254 www.alphachiomegabsc.com
ACW
Alpha Omicron PiName: Alpha Omicron PiChapter: Tau DeltaNickname: AOIINational Founding Date: January 2, 1897Location: Barnard CollegeBSC Founding Date: 1925Mascot: PandaColors: CardinalFlower: Jacque-Minot RoseNational Philanthropy: Juvenile Arthritis
Contact Us BSC Box 549108 Birmingham, AL 35254 alphaomicronpibsc.wix.com/ taudelta
AOP
AOP
Chi OmegaName: Chi OmegaChapter: Omicron LambdaNickname: Chi ONational Founding Date: April 5, 1895Location: University of ArkansasBSC Founding Date: 1989Mascot: OwlColors: Cardinal & StrawFlower: White CarnationNational Philanthropy: Make-A-Wish Foundation
Contact Us BSC Box 549099 Birmingham, AL 35254 bscchiomega.wix.com/chio_bsc
CW
Kappa DeltaName: Kappa DeltaChapter: Alpha UpsilonNickname: KDNational Founding Date: Oct 23, 1897Location: State Female Normal SchoolBSC Founding Date: March 15, 1930Mascot: Teddy BearColors: Pearl White & Olive GreenFlower: White RoseNational Philanthropy: Prevent Child Abuse America Girl Scouts of USA Childrens Hopsital, Richmond, VA Orthopedic Research Awards Contact Us BSC Box 549109 Birmingham, AL 35254 bsc.kappadelta.org
KD
KD
Pi Beta PhiName: Pi Beta PhiChapter: Alabama AlphaNickname: Pi PhiNational Founding Date: April 28, 1867Location: Monmouth CollegeBSC Founding Date: 1928Mascot: Arrow; AngelColors: Wine & Silver BlueFlower: Wine CarnationNational Philanthropy: First Book and Phi Beta Pi Foundation
Contact Us BSC Box 549110 Birmingham, AL 35254 www.alalpha.wix.com/pibetaphi
PBF
Zeta Tau AlphaName: Zeta Tau AlphaChapter: Alpha NuNickname: ZetaNational Founding Date: Oct 15, 1898Location: Longwood CollegeBSC Founding Date: October 7, 1922Mascot: BunnyColors: Turquoise Blue & Silver GrayFlower: White VioletNational Philanthropy: Breast Cancer Research
Contact Us BSC Box 549111 Birmingham, AL 35254 bsc.zetataualpha.org
ZTA
greek terms and definitions
Alpha ABeta BGamma GDelta DEpsilon E
greekalphabet
Zeta ZEta HTheta Q Iota IKappa K
Lambda LMu MNu NXi XOmicron O
Pi PRho RSigma STau TUpsilon U
Phi FChi CPsi YOmega W
Active: Fraternity or sorority member, currently in school, who has completed his/her new member program and has been formally initiated by his/her chapter Alumna: An initiated sorority member (feminine) who is no longer active or in college (Plural: ALUMNAE) Alumnus: An initiated fraternity member (masculine) who is no longer active or in college (Plural: ALUMNI) Bid: A formal invitation to a potential new member on behalf of that sorority or fraternity to join that specific groupBid day: The day that potential new members receive their bidsChapter: The local group of a national fraternity or sorority designated by a special Greek letter nameCollege Panhellenic: The cooperative organization of collegiate members of sororitiesformal Recruitment: The major recruitment period of the year during one weekend early in the fall semester. Formal recruitment consists of different events sponsored by the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils separately. Potential new members have the opportunity to visit each chapter house and meet its members. fraternity: A Greek letter organization characterized by a ritual, a pin and a strong tie of friendshipgreek: A member of a sorority or fraternity so called because the organization bears a Greek letter namegreek Week: A series of special events sponsored by the Greek community to promote community service and Greek unityHazing: 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 persons willingness to participate (www.stophazing.org)Initiate: A person who has recently become an active member of a fraternity or sororityInitiation: the formal, ritualistic ceremony during which a new member takes final vows and becomes a full member of his/her fraternity or sororityInterfraternity Council (IfC): The representative governing body of the fraternity systemLegacy: A potential new member whose father/mother or brother/ sister is an alumni or active member of a specific fraternity or sororityMixer: A social activity with two or more Greek organizations
Nationals: The governing body of each fraternity and sorority on a national level; the central headquarters of a Greek organizationNIC: National Interfraternity Conference, a confederation of 73 mens fraternitiesNPC: National Panhellenic Conference, a national governing body of sororities, each of which is autonomous as a social, Greek letter society of college women undergraduates and alumnae. This is the national governing body of all 26 national social sororities.NPHC: National Pan-Hellenic Council, a national governing body for the nine historically African American fraternities and sororitiesOpen Recruitment: That period in which any sorority not having reached quota and/or chapter total may recruit and join a woman without specifically scheduled bidding or parties. For fraternities, this is the informal recruitment period after the formal recruitment week where fraternities accept additional members. Panhellenic: National and local council of sororities, the purpose of which is to govern, to unify, and to aid sororities in their relationships with one another and the college communityPhilanthropy: A service project undertaken by Greek members on the campus, community or national levelQuota: The number of women that each sorority may join during RecruitmentRecommendation: a written letter or statement recommending a potential new member for membership in a fraternity or sorority. It can be sent from alumni of any chapter and is sent to the chapter of his/her fraternity/sorority on this campus. The fraternity/ sorority, not the potential new member, is responsible for soliciting these.Recruitment Advisor: Upperclass fraternity members who act as official recruitment advisors for the potential new members during RecruitmentRho gamma: Sorority members who do not affiliate with their own sororities during Recruitment, but serve as unbiased advisors to potential new members during RecruitmentRecruitment: A process whereby students interested in fraternities and sororities can meet the members of each chapter and learn more about the organizationsPotential New Member (PNM): Any student who is regularly enrolled and is eligible according to scholastic requirements, who is interested in becoming a member of a fraternity or sorority, and who has registered for RecruitmentSorority: A Greek letter sisterhood, also called a womens fraternity
BSC Birmingham-Southern CollegeOffice of Student Development900 Arkadelphia RoadBox 549014Birmingham, AL 35254
www.bscifc.comwww.bscpanhellenic.com
Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDPermit No. 2575Birmingham, AL
reasons to go greek at bsc1. we consider academics top priority
2. we are leaders on campus3. we lend a helping hand
4. we are connected to alums5. we create lifelong memories
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