ABOUT ALPHA PHI
Alpha Phi was founded at Syracuse University by ten of the first nineteen women admitted to the newly opened university. Our founders were women with brave hearts that were filled with a noble purpose and with eyes that saw clearly into the future. These were the Original Ten, the founders of Alpha Phi. Pursuing their studies in a thoroughly male-dominated environment, these women had a pressing need for friends who could sympathize with each other's problems and support each other's aspirations. On October 10, 1872, these ten women initiated themselves into Alpha Phi. To learn more about the great legacy of Alpha Phi, check out www.alphaphi.org.
About Us
The Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi here at the University of Arizona was founded in 1926 and has over 300 current members. We are a chapter full of energetic, involved, and dedicated women who are leaders, scholars, and contributors to the community.
The University of Arizona was established in 1885, and Alpha Phi has been on campus since 1926. We are proud to be one of the 52 Greek chapters that calls U of A home.
Alpha Phi is home to 66 women. We are constantly making updates and improvements to the Phi House.
Purpose
“The objects of our fraternity are the promotion of growth in character, unity of feeling, sisterly affection, and social communion among our members. In all that we do, we try to obey God’s principles of justice and right. We have banded ourselves together to improve our minds and hearts, and we seek to aid each other through a constant watchcare always given in love. We believe in ourselves to be sincere searchers for truth. We seek the highest ideal of womanhood, and we try to gain this ideal by cultivating not only the power and passion for seeking intellectual development but, also, the spirit of love and charity. And we who are thus united are under a solemn pledge to lend a helping hand to one another.”
-Constitution of Alpha Phi International Fraternity, Inc., Article II.
SYMBOLS
Symbol: The ivy leaf is perhaps our most recognizable symbol. The ivy leaf is reflected in our new member pin and is part of our crest. Ivy symbolizes the intertwining of intellectual, philanthropical and social pursuits. It is also symbolic of the way in which our lives become intertwined with one another's as we become friends and sisters in Alpha Phi.
Coat of Arms: The Fraternity Crest is the Alpha Phi coat-of-arms, adopted by Convention delegates in 1922. The shield is Bordeaux with a scroll and ivy leaf above it. Inscribed on the scroll is the public motto, "Union Hand In Hand." A bar of silver crosses the shield from left to right; the upper half of the shield contains a Roman lamp in silver and the lower half, Ursa Major.
Flowers: The flowers of Alpha Phi are the Lily-of the-Valley and the sentimental Forget-Me-Not. The blue and gold of the forget-me-not remind us of our fraternity's original colors. This flower also reminds Alpha Phis to always remember their sisters.
Colors: Silver and Bordeaux are Alpha Phi's rich and distinct colors.
Mascot: Our mascot is the "Phi Bear," whose name is taken from the Greek words "Ursa Major," or the "Great Bear." Alpha Phi International adopted the Phi Bear as its mascot in 1974.