Schedule
We run recruitment twice each year in the Spring and Fall semesters! Our recruitment period usually starts 1-2 weeks into A or C term. Our recruitment schedule will be finalized closer to the beginning of the term, so find our facebook event at the beginning of the semester! During our recruitment period, we ask that potential members come to one service, fellowship, brother meeting, and info session to be considered for a bid. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, we are making accommodations so that all these requirements can be done online. WPI students can join Alpha Phi Omega whether they are studying on campus or remotely.
Pledging
Once the recruitment period has ended, bids are given to potential members that have shown interest in joining Alpha Phi Omega. Those that accept their bids enter a period of pledging, where they have some service, fellowship, and leadership requirements, learn about Alpha Phi Omega, and get to know the members of our chapter. Each pledge is given a “Big” to help mentor them through this process.
The Big-Little Program
Our chapter runs a Big-Little program. During the pledging process, each pledge is paired up with at least one brother to be their ‘Big’. The Big acts as a friend, mentor, and brother to look up to within the chapter. Big’s meet with their ‘Little’s’ (the pledge) regularly during the pledging process to help the pledges get through their requirements and to answer any questions the pledges may have. Often times, a brother will have two Bigs or one Big will have two Little’s at the same time. This program creates ‘family-trees’ where many brothers are connected through their various Big-Little connections. This is a great way to make friends within the chapter outside of your age group/class. These Big-Little connections last beyond the pledging process and help to bring the chapter closer together.
F.A.Q.
We do a variety of services through the year! From Trail Clearing and Leaf Raking to Card Making and Knitting.
Students of all years (including graduate students) are welcome and encouraged to join our chapter!
Yes! Alpha Phi Omega has been a Co-ed Fraternity since 1976.
Rush / Recruitment begins sometime in A term and C term. Look out for us around the Fountain and the Campus Center!
Yes! Alpha Phi Omega is categorized as a service fraternity, so you can participate in both our organization and other greek life on campus. We actually think it's really good when our members are in several other clubs because that makes it easier to do events with other groups.
We work with many organizations in and around the Worcester area such as Habitat for Humanity, Community Harvest Project, Mustard Seed Soup Kitchen, Wachusett Greenways, Audubon Society, Tower Hill Botanical Garden, and Relay for Life.
Most of our members come to APO looking for service opportunities, either to continue service-oriented habits they formed in high school or to give back to the campus and community. We often find that students come for the service and stay for the fellowship and leadership!
We do not have a house - this is one of the things that sets us apart from social fraternities and sororities. We do have an office on the third floor of Olin where we can store our supplies, do homework, and have meetings!
The requirements for the pledge class change slightly each semester. The pledge requirements are detailed in the info sessions for each recruitment period, and can be requested from the Pledge Trainers or the Membership Vice President. As we transition back to more normal events, we are slowly moving back to full requrments and allowing hybrid events. The requirements are:
1612 Service Hours43 Fellowships42 Leadership Credits- Interviews and Hangouts with brothers
- Executive board signatures
- Spend time with your Big(s)
As we transition back to more normal events, we are slowly moving back to full requirements and allowing hybrid events. The semesterly requirements are:
2016 Service Hours- 5 Fellowships
- 5 Leadership Credits
- Attend Ceremonies
Have any questions? Contact the Membership Vice President at apo-membership@wpi.edu!