ΠΑΓ
Pi Alpha Gamma
Alpha Chapter at St Thomas University & University of New Brunswick
Recruitment Frequently Asked Questions
You- or your parents- have questions about recruitment. That's great! We know that Greek life isn't well known in Fredericton, so let us ease your minds and give you more information about this process.
Why should I join?
Perhaps the most simple reason for joining a sorority is creating a strong social network of talented, passionate young women to support you throughout your University experience. We are not just friends, we are sisters- a family that will continue to love an support you long after we all leave our cozy little campus.
Sorority life creates many opprotunities for philanthropic community involvement (and it never hurts to have volunteer work on your resume!). Together we have participated in the Take Back the Night March to end sexual violence against women, the CIBC Run for the Cure, Trick or Eat, STU's Relay for Life, and Bell Let's Talk Day. In addition to philanthropy, academics are important to us and we support each other as we continue strive for academic excellence.
A sorority should feel like a family. Giving young women a better chance at finding their 'right fit' at St Thomas is part of why we decided to found Pi Alpha Gamma. We are a group of strong, diverse women coming together to use our unique talents to positively impact the world around us. Although we encourage you to explore both of your options for sorority membership, we hope that you will find that sense of belonging and sisterhood with us.
What is hazing? Does your sorority haze?
Hazing is any excessively difficult, discriminatory, disagreeable, degrading, dangerous, or humiliating activity forced upon a group or individuals as a condition of full membership or acceptance into a group. Pi Alpha Gamma does not, nor will we ever, participate in hazing. We cannot and will not force you to participate in any activity you are uncomfortable with and we ask all Potential New Members to let us know if they are uncomfortable for any reason. In addition, we uphold our society's constitution which includes a ZERO-TOLERANCE policy in regards to hazing.
Is recruitment only for first year/ STU students?
No! As long as you are a female student pursuing an undergraduate degree we would love for you to attend some recruitment events and give us the chance to get to know you. We accept women from both STU and UNB.
What are the requirements of membership to Pi Alpha Gamma Sorority?
To be eligible for a bid to join Pi Alpha Gamma, a Potential New Member may be in any year of their undergraduate degree at St Thomas University or University of New Brunswick (Fredericton), attending either part or full-time. They must be free of any university sanctions or probation and have a 2.0 cumulative GPA. The most important eligibility requirement is that potential new members must embody our founding values and truly feel as though they have found a place for them. We encourage new members to attend events listed as 'mandatory' on that semester's recruitment schedule as well as a minimum of three other events so we can get to know you and you can get to know us!
What is a bid? How do I get one?
A bid is a formal invitation to join a Sorority. Bids are earned by attending at least four recruitment events, including at least one philanthropy event. Attendance alone does not guarantee a bid, we want you to truly feel as though you have found a home with us.
Does it cost anything to join?
Like any extra-curricular activity, there are costs associated with joining a sorority. We do everything we can to keep our dues low, and part of how we do this is by collecting dues only to cover new member We feel that finances should never keep a suitable individual from joining or enjoying our sisterhood and design our recruitment period to have as many fun, free events as possible. We want to be your sister, not your bank account's.
What does your sorority look for in new members?
Pi Alpha Gamma strives to bring together young women who embody our founding values and go above and beyond the minimum requirements of membership. We look for talented and scholarly young women seeking a vibrant and diverse support network and women who want to change the world through their unique talents and participation in philanthropic activity throughout the community.
What Is a Preference Party?
A Preference Party or Pref night is an invitation-only event for those girls we are seriously considering extending a bid to and want to get to know better. By attending Pref night you are also letting us know you are serious about accepting a bid if one is extended to you. If you are not invited to our pref party, you will not be receiving a bid this semester, but we encourage you to try again the following semester in case we haven't gotten the chance to get to know you. If you do get invited to pref, then congratulations! You have made it to the final round of recruitment and are one step closer to experiencing Greek life at St Thomas.
What is a Legacy? Does a legacy connection guarantee a bid to Pi Alpha Gamma?
A legacy is a potential member whose mother, grandmother, sister, aunt or other close female family member was a part of our organization. A legacy connection does not automatically guarantee membership into Pi Alpha Gamma Sorority, but out of respect for the sister a legacy is connected to, we do promise to do our best to get to know her Legacy and extend an invitation to our Preference Party.
If I am extended a bid and accept it, what should I expect during the new member period?
The new member education period typically lasts eight weeks, with new member education meetings and meetings with your big sister once a week. There are occasionally other activities planned throughout the period. This period is to educate new members on our sorority's history, symbols and secrets and to allow them to get to know the sisters better. These tasks include things like wearing the AMPP pin, getting to know your fellow new members, learning the Greek Alphabet, and completing a project as a new member class.