Sororities
The University of Alabama is home to over 3000 sorority women in 23 organizations. The sorority community at Alabama comprises of organizations in two distinct governing councils – the Alabama Panhellenic Association (APA or NPC) and the National Pan-hellenic Council (NPHC). Sorority chapters at Alabama range in size, structure, history and ethnicity, but all have one thing in common – the basic value of making better women. This is accomplished in a number of ways:
SCHOLARSHIP
The transition to college life is made easier with the Greek focus on academics. Greek organizations at the Capstone were founded around the principle of successful scholarship. National organizations and the University reward individual members and chapters for academic excellence. National and local chapters may also offer scholarships and awards to encourage academic achievement. Each chapter institutes programs to help its recruits reach their academic potential. These programs consist of mandatory study hours, tutoring sessions, and academic coaches. Membership in a sorority gives young women a support network and a system of oversight and accountability not available in other organizations. This increased accountability certainly has its rewards – the all sorority Grade point average at the Capstone has been higher than the all women’s campus average each and every semester since 1927. Click here to view sorority grade reports.
LEADERSHIP
In today’s business world, employers seek out those who have leadership experience. Sorority women have a wealth of opportunities to test and develop their leadership skills. Committees for social activities, community service, intramural sports, and scholarship exist within each Greek chapter. Leadership opportunities are also abundant outside the chapters. Throughout the University community, Greeks hold offices for various organizations and events such as Capstone Men and Women, Anderson Society, Freshman Forum, homecoming committee and student government.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Greek participation in community service is another long-standing tradition at Alabama. Over the past five years, Greek men and women raised more than $450,000 for charity. Chapters have raised thousands of dollars and volunteered many hours to various charities. Local charities that have benefited from the Greek community include the American Heart Association, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Habitat for Humanity, the Stallings Center, and the West Alabama Food Bank. Greeks roll up their sleeves to clean highway miles, open up their houses to the Boys and Girls Clubs of West Alabama, and provide tutoring at local elementary schools.
SOCIAL LIFE
Social enjoyment is a key component to a well-rounded college experience. Participation in a Greek organization helps provide a fun social life in a safe and cost-effective way. Sorority women at the Capstone maintain a busy social calendar throughout the year. Formals, swaps, band parties, step shows, Greek Week, theme parties, homecoming activities, and weekend cookouts allow members a chance to break away from the stresses of college life and to enjoy time with friends. Whether attending Crimson Tide sporting events together, participating in outdoor activities, or just watching television, Greeks find numerous opportunities to relax with one another.
FRIENDSHIPS
Participation in a fraternity or sorority is much more than wearing Greek letters, attending meetings, and spending time at a house. It is an opportunity to meet new people and form strong friendships based on adherence to a set of shared values. These friendships are special, and members become more like a close family. Your college experience is just the start of your membership in a Greek organization, but friendships you begin here at the Capstone will surely become lifelong commitments.
