California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is a public university located in Long Beach, California. The university offers a variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities, including a strong Greek life community. In this answer, we will focus specifically on sororities at CSULB, including their history, culture, and recruitment process.
History of Sororities at CSULB
Sororities have been a part of campus life at CSULB since the early 1950s. The first sorority on campus was the Alpha Xi Delta chapter, which was established in 1952. The other sororities that followed were Delta Gamma, Delta Delta Delta, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Phi, Gamma Phi Beta, Sigma Kappa, Zeta Tau Alpha, and Kappa Delta.
Currently, there are 13 active sororities at CSULB, with approximately 1,200 members collectively. Each sorority has its own unique history and traditions, but they all share a commitment to sisterhood, leadership, and service.
Culture of Sororities at CSULB
Sororities at CSULB have a strong emphasis on community service and philanthropy. Each sorority has a national organization that it is affiliated with, and they often raise money for that organization or for a specific cause that is important to the sorority. For example, Delta Gamma raises money for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, while Alpha Phi focuses on women’s heart health.
Sisterhood is also a core value of sororities at CSULB. Sorority members often live together in chapter houses or off-campus apartments, which provide a supportive and inclusive environment for women to grow and develop. The chapter houses are also often used for social events, such as mixers with fraternities and formals.
Leadership development is another important aspect of sorority life at CSULB. Sororities offer various leadership positions, such as president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary, that allow members to gain experience in organizational management and teamwork. Sorority members also have access to various leadership and professional development opportunities, such as attending conferences and workshops.
Recruitment Process for Sororities at CSULB
The recruitment process for sororities at CSULB takes place at the beginning of the fall semester. It is a mutual selection process, where potential new members (PNMs) visit each sorority during different rounds of events to learn more about the organization and its members.
The first round, called “Open House,” is an opportunity for PNMs to visit each sorority and meet some of its members. The next round, “Philanthropy,” focuses on the community service and philanthropy efforts of each sorority. The third round, “Sisterhood,” allows PNMs to interact with the members of each sorority in a more personal setting. The final round, “Preference,” is a more formal event where PNMs have the opportunity to indicate which sororities they are most interested in joining.
After the recruitment process is complete, each sorority extends bids to the PNMs it would like to invite to join. Once a PNM accepts a bid, she becomes a new member of the sorority and participates in a new member program that lasts for several weeks.
Conclusion
Sororities are an important part of campus life at California State University, Long Beach, providing a supportive and inclusive environment for women to grow and develop while also emphasizing community service, leadership, and sisterhood. The recruitment process allows potential new members to explore their options and find the sorority that best aligns with their personal values and interests.