Frequently Asked Questions
Alpha Phi Omega is a National Co-ed Service Fraternity of college students gathered together in an organization based on fraternalism and founded on the principles of Leadership, Friendship, and Service. Its goal is to further the freedom that is our national, educational and intellectual heritage.
Membership is open to any student, male or female, enrolled on a campus where a chapter exists who is approved for membership by that chapter. UConn is the home of the Delta Sigma chapter of APO.
College should be more than the acquisition of facts and figures: it should also broaden your experiences, and expand and test your inherent abilities, and sharpen your social skills. Alpha Phi Omega, through is unique program of leadership friendship and service, can add this necessary but often lacking aspect of college life—and at the same time enable you to help others while helping yourself.
Technically, yes, but it is not very similar to the rush you would participate in for greek houses. We hold a series of "rush" events, which are open to anyone interested in joining APO (these often include service projects, fellowship events and open informationals). It gives you a chance to get to know members of APO and see if it's something you'd like to be a part of. There is no "bid" selection, anyone who wishes to pledge may.
Your first
semester in APO will be full of opportunities to learn about the organization
and find your place in it. That is the essence of the pledge process. You will
undergo an initiation ritual, and be assigned to a "big" -- an older
APO brother who will answer any questions you have and help you figure out the
ins and outs of APO. You will attend all the same meetings as the Active
Brothers do, and you will also attend pledge meetings, which help you get to
know other people as well as the history and purpose of APO. There will be some
requirements such as planning a service project and social event along
with your pledge brothers, but your big and the other brothers will help you all
with that.
Absolutely not. At all times in during the pledging process you will be respected and never asked to do anything inappropriate or that you are uncomfortable with doing. Click HERE for more info on our "No-Hazing Policy".
No, the is a National rule that APO chapters are not allowed to have official houses on campus. We do have an office in the Student Union where you can usually find a few brothers hanging out or working on fraternity business. Our meetings take place in the United Nations room.
I already belong to a greek fraternity or sorority, can I still join APO?
Absolutely.
APO is open to any student on campus, and since we are not Greek, joining APO
does not conflict with your ability to join or remain a member in a greek house.
What are APO's requirements for their Brothers?
To be an active member, you must complete 20 hours of service and attend meetings regularly. However, there are other options for members who encounter a particularly hectic semester and need to cut back on APO commitment. Pledges have basically the same requirements, but with a few modifications.
How much does it cost to be in APO?
Because APO does not have a house, the dues are very low compared to other greek organizations. Brother dues are usually around $35 a semester, pledge dues being a little more to pay for their Pledge Manuals and other pledging materials.