| Zeta Phi | |
|---|---|
| ZΦ | |
 | |
| Founded | April 11, 1992 |
| College | Princeton University |
| Location | Princeton, NJ |
| Homepage | Zeta Phi Chapter |
| Media related to Zeta Phi Chapter | |
Princeton University established in 1746, Princeton, New Jersey
Founded April 11, 1992 with 52 charter members
640 initiates (as of June 2012)
Some of Zeta Phi’s Outstanding Members: (If you have chapter alumnae who have received recognition in any of these three categories, please list them with the date(s) of recognition.)
Fraternity Council Members:
Fraternity Loyalty Award:
Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:
Additional Outstanding Zeta Phi Alumnae: Melissa Gesell (Waterstredt), Chapter Consultant 1999-1999
Contents
Princeton University
Founded in 1746 as the College of New Jersey, Princeton University is the fourth-oldest college in the United States. Princeton became a fully-coeducational institution in 1969 following a period of limited attendance by female students. Today, approximately 5,000 undergraduate and 2,500 students attend Princeton University. Fraternities and sororities are currently not officially recognized by Princeton University.
Colonization On February 8, 1992, fifty-two young women gathered in the Prince William Room of the Nassau Inn to be colonized as the charter members of Kappa Kappa Gamma at Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey Area alumnae who had played pivotal roles in bringing Kappa Kappa Gamma to the Princeton campus or who would offer the chapter great support in the future the ceremony led by Marilyn Bullock, Kansas State, Director of Membership.
On that day, everyone was introduced to the Chapter Consultant who would guide the women through pledge education. Zeta Phi rented university classrooms for the weekly meetings where pages of Kappa’s mission, purpose, history, rituals, symbols, chapter and national organization, policies, and rules were discussed. The pledge retreat was held March 28-29 at a Firehouse on the Jersey Shore, led by alumnae who introduced the colonizers to the Kappa candle-passing traditions. Everyone put together the first pledge book of Zeta Phi—magazine clippings about the women in the colony, the world, and Kappa at Princeton. One of the most significant events of the pledge period was the great honor bestowed on us by the oldest Kappa Kappa Gamma alumna. Unbeknownst even to the Fraternity, she had in her possession a book of Kappa history signed by one of the Fraternity’s Founders. She presented this rare archive as a gift to Zeta Phi.
Since the Greek system was not formally recognized by Princeton University, difficulties arose for the sororities and fraternities seeking housing. No “official” off-campus fraternity houses existed and the sororities make due with a rented room or office space. However, since Kappa was colonizing and needed the Chapter Consultant to stay close to help the women take every step of the way, the Fraternity generous rented an apartment in Princeton at 72 Witherspoon Street and promised to support the apartment for the chapter’s first three years.
Close to our installation, we had begun to realize the great responsibility we had taken upon ourselves to start a new chapter. Still, at the end of the six week pledgeship, the most frequent to pass between the future sisters was: “Do we have to know the alphabet?”
Installation
Inspiration Week finally arrived, and with help from area alumnae, the Chapter Consultant acted as a big sister to all forty-nine of us (three of the original 52 would have to initiate in the fall). Monday, March 6 found us up early in the morning at the “Kappa apartment” for a bagel breakfast. The colonizers received antique hotel keys from one of the New Jersey Alumnae Associations, special notes to be opened each day, and other various gifts. On Tuesday the women decorated T-shirts; on Wednesday two alumna established the Zeta Phi candlelight reading ceremony; on Thursday the colony attended a formal meeting with the Fraternity officers; and Friday’s Fireside Ceremony was held at the Nassau Inn and attended by dozens of alumnae (“Alum Chums”), our big sisters from Dickinson College, and the mothers of our two charter legacies. Saturday, Installation was held at the First Reformed Church of Rocky Hill, led by Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity President Kay Smith Larson, Washington.
Now officially the 122nd active chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma in the Fraternity’s 122nd year. A reception was held at the Nassau Presbyterian Church, followed by a mock formal chapter meeting and an evening banquet at the Nassau Inn. Zeta Phi was presented with silver platters, banners, a punch bowl set, and other gifts from other chapters and alumnae. As a gift of gratitude to the alumnae and the Fraternity, a member composed a song expressly for the occasion. At the end of the evening we stood at our tables and sang:
Oh, we’re so glad to be here~ All womanly and true~ On April the eleventh~ Of 1992.
We’re psyched to be at Princeton~ We cannot tell a lie~ We’re thrilled that Kappa came here~ To start up Zeta Phi.
We love our orange and black clothes~ We’re tigers through and through~ But also wearers of the key,~ We love our blue and blue.
Sincerity and friendship~ And love and loyalty~ These are the things we promise~ To dear old K-K-G.
The First Year
While the Princeton women of Kappa had come together motivated by the common desire to form special friendships with women in a more structured activity at Princeton University, the other activities and interests of Zeta Phi’s first active members were very diverse. Nearly one third were involved in theater (Princeton Triangle Club, Princeton University Players, Theater Intime, and directing). Singers aplenty came from the Glee Club, Chapel Choir, and the student a capella singing groups (Tigerlilies, Roaring 20, and Katzenjammers). Half of the class was involved in some aspect of the Student Volunteers Council (Big Sisters, Young Mothers Outreach, Children’s After School Sports Program, English as a Second Language Program, Tutoring, Habitat for Humanity, Somerset Youth Shelter, and Interpreting). Club sports activities included soccer, lacrosse, gymnastics, water polo, equestrian team, and skiing. Varsity sports practiced were crew, volleyball, soccer, and cheerleading. Princeton’s new Kappas also participated in Orange Key Tours, the Debate team, the Daily Princetonian, the Academics Committee, Eating Club Councils, yearbook, WPRB radio, the Women’s Center, the Honor Committee, the Rainforest Conservatory, Girl Scouts, and Student Government. Monday, March 20, the members attended the chapter’s first formal chapter meeting and elected its first chapter officers. The last two months of school were a time of organizational learning for the council and members. The last chapter meeting was held on May 17. Kappa Kappa Gamma members began their summer vacations in June, excited and uncertain about the tasks that lay ahead of them, rush and having new pledges, and the role of a sorority in their lives.
The first thing to take care of upon returning from summer vacation was the initiation of the three women who had completed their pledgeship in the spring but were unable to initiate on April 11. It was difficult to be on the other side of Initiation for the first time, but we were grateful for the practice. Organized by its dedicated chapter council, Zeta Phi finally gathered together for normal chapter business in October. Kappa was off to a great start after an overnight retreat during the first weekend in October, attended by an alumna member and led by our new Chapter Consultant.
Soon it was time for Zeta Phi to prepare for our first RUSH. In a few mad days, the Kappas learned scores of songs and rotation patterns—almost perfected by our first party night. Rush Week was Sunday, November 8 through Saturday, November 14. Parties were held at the eating clubs Tower, DEC, and Dial. We made decorations and wrote songs for the themes “Kappa Under the Sea,” “A League of Our Own,” and “Silver Screen.” 130 young women rushed Kappa Kappa Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta, and Pi Beta Phi. On Saturday, all was decided. Kappa pledged 16 wonderful pledges who reflected the diversity of the chapter. They were officially pledged on November 14. Since the charter members of Zeta Phi had not rushed to join Kappa, the chapter extended and opened the bids to a few selected young women who had not been able to take part in Rush Week. On December 4, three more pledges were welcomed into Zeta Phi’s circle. After all the excitement, the chapter presented an alumna with a gift certificate in deep gratitude for her time and dedication throughout the Rush period. The pledges began their “Kappa education” on November 16. The pledge retreat was held at an alumna’s home. Most memorable were the personal stories the future sisters shared and trusted with one another. In the actives’ world, the chapter was honored with the visit of a Kappa alumna who was a former Advisor to President George Bush. Following her visit on December 4, the Nominating Committee presented the slate for the 1993 Chapter Council and the vote was taken.
Zeta Phi took part in philanthropic projects which included working for Isles in Trenton. The chapter gave donations to St. Peter’s Hospital and Womanspace. Members took part in Princeton University Players’ “A Chorus Line.” A Zeta Phi was elected USG Vice President (12/92) and Chairman of the Student Health Advisor Board (SHAB) and another Kappa made All Ivy League Crew for 1992. Two sisters, a violinist and a pianist, gave senior performances. One Kappa was accepted to Oxford University and left for England after graduation for a three-year program in Immunology.
In a short period of time, Zeta Phi was well on its way to establishing itself as a significant and respected organization at Princeton University. Both Chapter Consultants and alumnae commented on how far the chapter had come and grown as a sorority and as individuals in understanding the members’ roles. Friendships were strengthened, new friendships formed, and the Zeta Phis were eternally grateful for the overwhelming support and love given to them by the consultants and area alumnae. And now, they were full sisters in the bonds of Kappa Kappa Gamma, though still not sure about the alphabet! (The preceding information was adapted from Zeta Phi chapter’s 1993 newsletter, “Zeta Phigest.”)
Highlights of the 1990s
Following Zeta Phi’s founding, the chapter continued to grow, regularly initiating approximately 30 members each year. To keep up with the needs of the expanding chapter, many sisterhood events were planned. The Kappas hosted sister-bonding retreats, a sightseeing and ice skating trip to New York City, game nights, winter semi-formals, and spring formals. The chapter paired with local alumnae for events such as Founders Day, Holiday Brunch, Chapter Weekend, and Senior BBQ. In 1995, Zeta Phi hosted Fraternity Vice-President, Cathy Thompson Carswell, Illinois Wesleyan, for Founders Day.
Zeta Phi provided programs and activities to improve the lives of members. The Kappas participated in campaigns to raise awarness for issues affecting women, such as eating disorders. The chapter also brought a Kappa alumna to campus to talk about the interview and job application process. Zeta Phi also hosted study breaks and sister dinners for chapter members.
Housing:
At Princeton, Greek-letter organizations do not have houses. For the first several years, Kappa maintained an apartment used for housing Chapter Consultants, holding social events, and maintaining records. When Zeta Phi no longer needed an apartment to house Chapter Consultants, the chapter obtained space a short distance from campus to store archives and other chapter possessions.
Philanthropy:
Throughout the 1990s, Zeta Phi emphasized the importance of philanthropy. The chapter hosted clothing and food drives for the needy, worked at a Trenton soup kitchen, painted houses for Habitat for Humanity, and visited a local nursing home. The Kappas also participated in events coordinated by other organizations: the Special Olympics; the Run for the Tiger, a 10k to raise conservation funds; and the annual Communiverity celebration, a festival hosted by Princeton town and university for local children and children from Trenton.
Convention Awards:
Highlights of 2000-2010
Zeta Phi continued to strengthen both membership numbers and bonds of sisterhood as the chapter entered the twenty-first century. The Princeton Kappas added between 25-35 members to their ranks every year. In 2005, Zeta Phi took the initiative to learn more about the Fraternity’s history by utilizing the Archives in a Box program supported by the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. Zeta Phi planned fun events through the decade, such as the 2006 semi-formal bowling event and the annual Sapphire Ball spring formal. Other chapter traditions included a Senior Roast held in May to say goodbye to the graduating sisters.
Housing:
Zeta Phi rang in the millenium with a house-cleaning event for the chapter office space near campus. The sisters came together to clean and organize the archives and memorabilia to make room for the next decade of memories and records.
Philanthropy:
Philanthropy remained important to Zeta Phi throughout the decade. Annual philanthropic events included the Valentine’s Day Crush Project and the Kappa Kappacino charity bake sale. The sisters also regularly volunteered at a soup kitchen and Trenton and went “Kappa Karoling” to a local nursing home at Christmas. The Kappas were always represented in events such as the Race for the Cure and the annual Powder Puff football game on campus, which raised money for charity through the sale of refreshments.
In response to the tragedies on September 11, 2001, Zeta Phi participated in Arts Alive, a University-sponsored program that took children affected by the events to cultural and artistic programs in New York City and surrounding areas. Because of Princeton’s close geographic proximity to New York, students were able to directly respond by raising money, helping children, and contributing to funds that benefited the families of victims.
Convention Awards:
==Highlights of 2011-2019:== (Information from chapter’s History Report: Scholarship, group honors/awards, traditions, special events, changes on campus or within chapter, overall nature of the chapter, chapter goals, challenges and how they were overcome, etc.:
Housing:
Philanthropy:
Convention Awards:
Highlights of 2020s
(Information from chapter’s History Report: Scholarship, group honors/awards, traditions, special events, changes on campus or within chapter, overall nature of the chapter, chapter goals, challenges and how they were overcome, etc.:
Housing:
Philanthropy:
Convention Awards:
Note to Chapter Registrar: Please refer to your chapter archives including chapter meeting minutes and back issues of The Key to fill in any gaps in the above historical highlights. If your chapter archives are not complete, please research your university library, campus newspaper and yearbook archives for newsworthy information about your chapter. Please double check your work for accuracy. Contact chapter Advisory or House Board members, local Alumnae Association members, or your Province Director of Chapters for assistance.
Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoy!