FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What is a Sorority?
A sorority is a sisterhood. It is a group of women who share the same basic ideas and goals, yet respect each other's individual differences. Sororities were founded upon, and still live by, the precepts of wisdom, truth, self-esteem, loyalty, and friendship. Involvement in a sorority also provides its members with many opportunities to develop leadership skills, become involved with community service projects, enjoy social functions, and achieve academic excellence. The wide variety of opportunities available allows each woman to participate in activities that are of particular interest to her and to discover new activities through her sisters. Membership in a sorority provides life long friendship and support.
Sisterhood is a feeling of belonging to a group of women who accept you for who you are and encourage you to develop into who you want to become. In AOII, you can find a place where you feel at home. It's the power of friendship that makes our sisterhood unique.
What is Fraternity and Sorority Affairs (FSA)?
FSA is an club recognized by the Federation of Students at the University of Waterloo that governs and oversees the sororities and fraternities on campus. Its goal is to promote a positive image of Greek Life and to inform the students at the University of Waterloo about Greek Life.
What other Fraternities and Sororities are on campus?
The University of Waterloo has two other sororities and two fraternities on campus. The other sororities are Kappa Kappa Gamma and Sigma Lambda Gamma. The fraternities are Sigma Chi and Pi Kappa Alpha. Links to all groups can be found under the Links section of our website.
How do the different chapters relate?
Like Kappa Kappa Gamma, AOΠ is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference. We abide by the same rules and work together in many ways to accomplish the best for each group. AOΠ is an International Women's Fraternity with over 137,000 members in the United States and Canada. Alpha Omicron Pi, like the other groups, is an organization committed to fun, friendship, service, developing leadership skills, and lifelong learning.
While we share these similarities with the other groups on campus, we are distinguished for our appreciation of the individual woman. This appreciation was expressed from our beginning by our Founders: self-reliant, independent women whose genuine spirit was matched only by their sense of humor. Like our Founders, AOΠ members believe in living life to its fullest by sharing it with lifelong friends in a quest to expand opportunities for women throughout society.
Why join Alpha Omicron Pi?
Sisterhood in Alpha Omicron Pi means much more than attending meetings, going to social events and wearing Greek letters. It is a feeling of belonging to a group of women who accept you for who you are and encourage you to develop into who you want to become. In AOII, you can find a place where you feel at home. You can count on your sisters in good times and in bad, strive for your goals as a chapter, and draw sisters together in one strong bond. Through it all, you will make friendships that will last a lifetime.
How do I join?
The first step to joining a sorority is to get to know it and it’s members. Check out the Recruitment page to see a list of upcoming events, click on the link above to e-mail the Recruitment Chair, or join our Facebook group Join AOΠ UW to ensure that you get up to date invites to all the events where you can come out and meet our members and find out more about AOΠ!
Throughout the first month of each Fall, Winter, and Spring term, FSA will have a booth at the Federation of Students' Clubs Days in the Student Life Centre where members of Alpha Omicron Pi will be to answer any questions you may have. We also host recruitment events in the Fall and Winter semesters in the weeks following Clubs Days. We always welcome you to contact us to ask any questions you may have.
Can I join if I'm an upper year or a graduate student?
Yes you can! The sorority experience is one that is valuable, fun and rewarding at any time in your university studies. Also, once you are a sister of Alpha Omicron Pi, you are a member for a lifetime. Once graduated, members become alumnae and continue the experience. There are many networking, communication and volunteer opportunities available for alumnae after graduation.
What happens if I'm on co-op or away?
If you are on a co-op term in the city of waterloo, you can remain an active part of AOΠ if you so choose. If you are out of the city, you are still considered an active member of AOΠ and can attend any social or sisterhood events that you can make.