How to Pledge Psi Omega
Who/What/When/Where?
Who can pledge? - Anyone! Psi Omega does not discriminate against any student wishing to join our fraternity. The only requirements we ask of members are that they are a current student in good standing with the university (taking at least one class).
What is a pledge? - A pledge is a newly inducted member of Psi Omega. After the induction ceremony that takes place at the start of each semester, you are given the status of "pledge" and must complete certain requirements to earn your status as a brother of Alpha Phi Omega.
When do I pledge? - Our Rush (Greek lingo for recruitment time) is typically the first 2-3 weeks of the Fall and Spring semesters. Contact us during this time or watch the main calendar to find out when induction night(s) will be.
Where do I go? - During the first 2-3 weeks of the semester, look for our informational tables outside the Student Union, normally between 10AM and 2PM. We've also bee known to frequent the Free Speech Green on Friday afternoons and evenings, as well as the orginazation tables at Late Knights. We can always be found or contacted through our cubicle in the Office of Student Involvement (Student Union, room 208)...and quite often a group of brothers can be seen having lunch at Wackadoos during this time of year. We will also be holding a variety of special events, like board game night, laser tag, movie night, and various other events where you can meet up with us and get to know the brothers!
The Process
Once you've decided to join Alpha Phi Omega, your first step is to be inducted. This ceremony is the beginning of your period of pledging and is held at night for about an hour. Every brother of Psi Omega has started their affiliation with Alpha Phi Omega through this event as it gives you some of the history and purpose behind our fraternity. Once you have been inducted and are an official pledge of Alpha Phi Omega (meaning you have paid the $45 pledge fee), you will be connected to your other pledge brothers through the pledge e-mail list and be invited to the informational and social lists for the brothers, so you will be kept up to date with all the events. Your Pledge Trainer will conduct the weekly meetings for your pledge class on Sundays at 5PM (on campus) where you will learn the history and operations of the chapter and national order. As you progress through your requirements, you will get a Big Brother to help you with anything you need. Near the end of the semester, if you have completed the requirements necessary, you will be initiated as a brother of Alpha Phi Omega.
Requirements of a Pledge
During your period of pledging, you will be required to complete the following requirements to attain the status of "Brother" in Alpha Phi Omega.
- Complete 20 hours of service (5 of which must be with official projects passed by the brotherhood at the weekly meetings)
- Interview 90% of the active brothers and obtain their signatures
- Interview 2 Advisors and obtain their signatures
- Interview 1 Alumni of Psi Omega and obtain their signature
- Interview each of your pledge brothers and obtain their signature
- Pass the two pledge exams with a score of 75% or higher
- Attend at least one weekly brotherhood meeting (held on Sunday evenings at 7:00PM)
- Attend weekly pledge class meetings (held on Sunday evenings at 5PM)
- Contribute to the planning and execution of three projects with your pledge class: one service project, one fellowship event, and one fundraiser
- Pay your pledge dues ($45)
If these requirements cannot be met in the semester you pledge, you can choose to pledge again during a future semester. Your status as a 'repledge' means you do not have to pay the initial pledge dues and the previous requirements you met from the prior semester will roll over, with the exception of service hours. You will only have to complete the requirements you were lacking your prior semester pledging.
Interviews with brothers, alumni, advisors, and fellow pledges aren't as formal as they sound. The purpose of the interview/signature requirement is so the pledges get to know the brothers better and form a tighter 'family' of Psi Omega. An interview can be scheduled by contacting the brother in question, but more often than not, they are spontaneous. It's really up to the brother as to how long your conversation needs to last before he or she will give you their signature...some brothers feel 10 minutes is enough to get a basic understanding of who you are, while others have known to go for hours. Often, you don't realize you're interviewing or being interviewed until the topic of a signature is discussed!
Big Brothers
A week or two into the pledge program, you will be given a Big Brother, a brother in good standing with the fraternity who will help you during your remaining pledge semester. Prior to recieving your Big Brother, you will be filling out a form to help your Pledge Trainer best match you with a brother. Your Big Brother is a valuable asset as not only are they there for you to answer any questions or solve any problems you may run across, but they are also your voice at brotherhood meetings. If you need to pass a project, you cannot officially do so as a pledge, but your Big Brother can.
In The End
About a month before the semester ends, you will be given your final pledge exam. After that, the Final Pledge Review is held where the brotherhood approves all pledge activity and finalizes each pledge's completion of requirements. As long as you have completed all that is required, you are approved for brotherhood status! Your official paperwork is filled out and submitted to the national office along with your $35 active membership fee that will register you with the national office and get your official membership card and shingle (suitable for framing). The end of the semester banquet will be where your official Alpha Phi Omega jersey and nickname are presented to you by your Big Brother.