CWRU Alpha Phi | Values & Symbols

Values and Symbols

There is no one Alpha Phi, but we all have an underlying string that connects us: our values.

It's up to us to define what it means to be an Alpha Phi, not to let the name Alpha Phi define us.

Read below to see how our sisters define our six values, the principles that are fundamental to our being and pave the way for a path of success, growth and love.

S I S T E R H O O D

"Sisterhood means to me that no matter what I will always be there to support my sisters and they will always be there to support me."

"Friendship, always being there for someone in need, not being best friends with everyone but just having the mutual understanding that we're all here for the same reasons and loving them anyway"

"When I first was going through recruitment and heard about "sisterhood" I imagined it was basically just having a big group of friends. Having been in the chapter a bit longer, I've noticed sisterhood is more than just friendship. Many of the girls in this chapter I had never really met, but the first time we were introduced I felt as though they truly cared about me and my experiences. Just being able to wake up in the morning and know that I could have a meaningful and enjoyable conversation with ANY of my sisters, whether I know them well or not, is sisterhood to me."

L E A D E R S H I P

"Leadership is my favorite value because I didn't see my full potential as a leader until I joined Alpha Phi. It was the older women in the chapter who inspired me and continue to inspire me, that leads me to continue to work hard toward my passions."

"Leadership means taking on tasks that are important to you and using your resources to accomplish whatever you set your mind to. It also means having the courage to take risks in decision-making that are necessary for the success of a project, even though they can be difficult decisions to make in the moment. Finally, to me, leadership means believing in yourself no matter what, especially when it comes to long-term goals that can be intimidating."

S C H O L A R S H I P

"Being a good representative of your chapter in classes by being a student who works hard and is polite and respectful. Always having a study buddy."

"Scholarship is to put school in our top priorities and to strive for academic excellence."

"Through our programs, I have been able to talk to sisters in my major and in my career path who have always been willing to answer questions, no matter how stupid it may seem. I have also had the rewarding experience of mentoring some of our younger members, encouraging them and providing advice."

"Scholarship is universally commendable because lack of education is indirectly the biggest threat to many people. It means we are driving discovery and innovation. Building people up to be leaders makes them into a new person, in a good way. Giving people a voice gives them confidence and drive."

L O Y A L T Y

"Loyalty means that you are always watching out for each other — and that doesn’t always mean being one of your sister’s best friends. I think that the most important thing is to hold sisters accountable to their own values and to each other."

"I've found that my sisters are ALWAYS there to support me, even the ones I don't know as well. After experiencing a rough semester, the support I received from them and their never-ending loyalty has come to be so important to me."

"Strong loyalty leads to feelings of security, which leads to better communication and deeper bonds between sisters."

S E R V I C E

"Serving our community lifts us beyond our daily, college struggles and allows us to appreciate our lives and benefits even more."

"Helping the community around us in a cheerful way because we want to make the world a better place and recognize the many opportunities we have as members of Greek life on this campus"

"Our organization is one founded on love and service. We serve the community with each other, union hand in hand."

C H A R A C T E R

D E V E L O P M E N T

"Character Development is my favorite value. When I joined a sorority I was looking for sisterhood like most young women. I was not expecting to be in chapter that holds Character Development in such high regards, but it's amazing to be part of a chapter that values your continual growth and personal progress in every facet of your life."

"The whole point of college, and specifically being in a sorority, is to leave better than you came in. My sisters are always pushing me to be the best version of myself; whether that be through words of encouragement and support, or just leading by example and being smart, strong, confident, and successful women."

"I love the idea of surrounding myself by inspirational women that give me the confidence and strength to take risks and change myself for the better. Women from our history and our current chapter remind me of the continuous pursuit for kindness and success. I know I am a better student/sister/person because my sorority has seen my flaws and chosen to lift me higher."

Crest

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. The meaning of the symbols depicted on the crest is a significant part of the ritual witnessed at initiation.

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, philanthropic 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.

Alpha Phi Badge

The official badge of Alpha Phi is an unjeweled monogram of gold showing the symbol of Alpha superimposed upon the symbol of Phi. Inscribed in black on the symbol Phi are the letters a, o, e. The meaning of these letters is reserved for the initiation ceremony.

Fraternity Colors

Silver and Bordeaux are Alpha Phi's rich and distinct colors. Alpha Phi's original colors were blue and gold. In 1879, noting that a fraternity had colors too similar to hers, Alpha Phi adopted the more distinctive colors of Silver and Bordeaux. Members wear their colors in the form of a ribbon of Silver/Gray and Bordeaux, under their badge to acknowledge special occasions, the installation of a new chapter, the anniversary of their chapter's installation or the celebration of Alpha Phi Founders' Day, October 10.

Constellation

Ivy Leaf

Flowers

The flowers of Alpha Phi are the fragrant lily of the valley and the blue and gold forget-me-not, which reflect our fraternity's original colors and reminds us to always remember our sisters.

The Fraternity constellation is Ursa Major, the Great Bear. This symbol can be seen on the Alpha Phi crest.

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.