Alpha Chi Omega: Top Sorority on Campus

It is no secret that most faculty and students on campus give Greek life a bad rap. It has been this way for many years, not only at the University of Alabama, but also all over the nation. Either at Alabama, you want to be Greek, or you do not. There is no in-between or halfway mark. Either you love it or you hate it. With this, many generalities are immediately assumed when one hears or sees that you are a Greek student. Fraternities and Sororities are seen as the “partiers” or the students who “buy their friends.” Well, in fact, some of these generalities may be true in other Fraternities and Sororities on campus, but it is not seen in the Sorority Alpha Chi Omega.

Alpha Chi Omega is a female Sorority that was one of the first founding houses on campus. This is also known by the popular slang term, “Old Row.” Alpha Chi was first founded as the first musical fraternity of women, and then it later became known as a “Sorority” as it became more and more popular. Alpha Chi Omega was founded upon many fundamental values and beliefs, that in my opinion, all girls should have. Alpha Chi girls are very well rounded. They are actively involved in the community, through projects, their philanthropy and community service. Alpha Chi truly has a bond, a sisterhood amongst its members that all sororities should have. The girls at Alpha Chi are also incredibly intelligent. They hold the title of earning the top grades on campus for the past 17 years.

As previously stated, the residing generalities may be that all Sororities party on not only the weekends, but also every night of the week. Alternatively, that they are “up to no good.” However, the reality is that in Alpha Chi, although they party some, this is not the key factor following the meaning of the sorority. They have one swap per week, which is a themed costume party that they have with a fraternity on campus. Another one of the founding beliefs of Alpha Chi is that there should be a real “sisterhood” in existence throughout the lifetime of the Sorority. Alpha Chi here at Alabama, seems to be upholding this because they really do seem to have each other’s backs, and act like real sisters.
Alpha Chi Omega is highly involved in their philanthropy and is actively involved in community service. Alpha Chi’s national philanthropy is domestic violence. Not only is it to try and put an end to this epidemic once and for all, but also to educate people and cause them to become more aware of this horrible on-going situation that is occurring in people’s homes all over the United States. Each semester Alpha Chi will hold a philanthropy event to raise money for domestic violence awareness. These events can be anything from a barbeque cookout to this year’s “Stomp out Domestic Violence 5K Run.” Alpha Chi also does little things throughout the semester for their philanthropy that are not as big as their biannual events. Alpha Chi also prides itself on participating and helping other sororities with their philanthropy events. Alpha Chi participates in the collection of items for various causes and charities like the Women’s Center, items for less fortunate children amongst other foundations. Alpha Chi is really trying to make a difference not only locally here in Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas, but nationally as well.


Alpha Chi has also been the top Sorority on campus for grades over the past seventeen years. This means that their GPA has, combined, as a whole is higher than that of any other sorority on campus. This, for the past few years, includes that of the totality of independent woman on campus. These girls really seem to know how to balance their schoolwork with extracurricular activities. Alpha Chi is known as the “classy” Sorority. They are required to uphold more rules than the rest of Sorority row, in order to maintain this reputation. They are not allowed to have crazy swaps with crazy themes, stand on any raised surface, etcetera. Alpha Chi is one of the Sororities who are truly committed to upholding a respectable outward appearance to all neutral parties. This also includes having a respectable reputation amongst the other houses on campus.

We interviewed a senior Alpha Chi member named Melissa. We asked her questions such as what is it like being an Alpha Chi? “I love being an Alpha because we really do care about others and I have made so many great friends that I will have for a lifetime.” Will you miss it after you graduate? “Yes! I don’t know what I’m going to do without my sisters!” What do you like most about your philanthropy? “I love that we that we do so many events to raise money for domestic violence, it shows that we really care and they are actually fun.” What do you love most about living in the house? “Well, my wardrobe expanded times 40! (Ha-ha), but I really love the closeness of everybody. You always have someone to do something with.”

As you can see, most of the generalizations that outside parties have on Greek life, are not prevalent in the Sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. Alpha Chi is truly committed to upholding their reputation, having a true sisterhood and separating themselves from the rest by earning the title of “Top Grades on Campus.”