In the media, Greek life is often portrayed as a major part of the college experience. However, the typical media representation of Greek life — especially with sororities — does not represent it as a whole. In fact, it leaves out the most important aspects of being in a sorority, which are sisterhood, advocating for their philanthropy and giving back to the community.

 A major part of being in a sorority is rooted in supporting women and contributing to the betterment of society. Whether it be through raising money and awareness for their philanthropy or by doing hours of community service, sororities are actively working to better their communities. With recruitment approaching soon, it is important to keep in mind that sororities are more than just social organizations that have fun. They are groups of women who come together because they are passionate about what their sorority advocates.

 Shippensburg University is home to seven sororities: Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Phi, Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Zeta, Kappa Beta Gamma, Kappa Delta Phi NAS and Phi Sigma Sigma. Although all the sororities often give back to the community together, they each advocate for their own philanthropies and values as well. 

Alpha Omicron Pi has been an active chapter at Shippensburg since the 1980s. Its national philanthropy is juvenile arthritis, and its local philanthropy is Sister’s for Soldiers. Many sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi are very passionate about these philanthropies, as they have sisters who are directly affected by these causes. Alpha Omicron Pi members are known to value college loyalty, scholarship, leadership, service, character and dignity. To be eligible to become a member of Alpha Omicron Pi at Shippensburg, one must have an overall GPA of 2.5. 

Alpha Phi is an active chapter on campus with approximately 26 members. Their philanthropy, the Alpha Phi foundation, focuses on raising awareness for heart health for women. Their values are sisterhood, scholarship, service, loyalty, and character development. The minimum GPA requirement to join Alpha Phi is a 2.5. 

Alpha Sigma Tau was founded on Nov. 4, 1899, at the Michigan State Normal school, which is now Eastern Michigan University. The sorority invests in women by installing the skills necessary to navigate life and inspire members to enrich their lives and communities. Alpha Sigma Tau actively works to extend their commitment beyond its own membership through the Women’s Wellness Initiative, the chapter’s national philanthropy. Alpha Sigma Tau empowers women to excel in life through its five core values: intellect, respect, excellence, graciousness and connections. The campus chapter was founded in 1971 and is currently home to 15 active members with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA to join. 

Delta Zeta is a sorority whose core values are friendship, curiosity, generosity, citizenship, empowerment and belonging. Their philanthropy focus is hearing and speech, and they raise money for those in need of hearing aids under the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Along with this, Delta Zeta works to support and educate families of children who are hard of hearing through their partnership with the Painted Turtle Camp. This experience allows children who live with serious illnesses to partake in fun experiences. This fall semester Delta Zeta is starting off with 22 girls in total and require a minimum of a 2.7 GPA to join. 

Kappa Beta Gamma is a sorority whose core values are love, faith, sisterhood, loyalty, charity and fidelity, which are shown through the group’s strong sense of sisterhood and diversity. They take great pride in these connections. Along with this they are very passionate about their philanthropy — the Special Olympics. They have an active chapter on campus with approximately 18 members, and they require a minimum GPA of 2.5 to join. 

Kappa Delta Phi NAS is a sorority on campus that highly values sisterhood, leadership and service, which is shown through its dedication to raising awareness for its national and local philanthropies. The sorority’s national philanthropy is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the local one is the American Diabetes Association. The chapter is an active one with 19 members and a GPA requirement of 2.3 to join. 

Phi Sigma Sigma is a sorority that works to uplift women and the future of women, which is demonstrated through its philanthropy, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation. This organization is centered around school and college readiness. It provides the next generation with the resources necessary to succeed in the classroom, while also helping to prepare them to succeed outside of academics. Along with this, it also supports the academic pursuits of collegiate and alumnae sisters in respect to their Founders’ mission: The advancement of womanhood.” Phi Sigma Sigma’s work in the community reflects the sorority’s core values of friendship, faith, love, sincerity, integrity and strength. Their chapter has approximately 19 active members and a GPA requirement of 2.5 to join. 

If you are interested in joining a sorority, you can join soon during fall recruitment. All of the campus’s sororities and recruitment information are featured on the Panhellenic Instagram, @ship_panhellenic. Do not be afraid to reach out and ask questions on Instagram. 

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