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|Image= [[File:Beta_Zeta.jpg|200px]]
|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1882|05|02}}
|College= [httphttps://www.uiowa.edu/ University of Iowa], formerly State University of Iowa
|Location= Iowa City, Iowa
|Homepage= [httphttps://chaptersuiowa.kappakappagammakappa.org/betazeta/ Beta Zeta Homepage]|Media= [httphttps://wiki.kappakappagammakkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Beta_Zeta Media related to Beta Zeta Chapter]
}}
'''2,848 991 initiates (as of June 20152018)'''
'''Charter members:'''
Belle Ross Andrews, Flora Clapp, Lucia Goodwin, Jane Hanford, Agnes Louise Hatch, Sarah Loring, Imogene Mitchell, Mary Paine, Ellen Rawson, Anna Zoe Ross, Gertrude Wheaton.
'''Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:'''
Beatrice Blackmar Gould, 1951, Author and Editor of Ladies Home Journal; Janice Lutjen Kreamer, 2002, civic leader
During the 1898–1899 school year chapter houses appeared on campus. The Kappa “house” consisted of the second floor of a boarding house, a separate table in the dining room, and another room downstairs used as a chapter room. It was not until 1909 that the chapter rented an old house. It held all but five members, who lived a block away at the Kappa Annex.
==Highlights of the 1910s==
In 1904, a fourth sorority, Delta Delta Delta, arrived at Iowa, and the four groups enjoyed many social exchanges. In 1910, other groups appeared and, after World War I, with a large increase in enrollment, sororities increased to 17 chapters that continued in 1975.
The previous information was excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, 1870-1976. The information that follows has been gleaned from available resources including Chapter History Reports, chapter meeting minutes, letters and comments from chapter members and alumnae, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Archives, and The Key. Each chapter is expected to update its history record annually. Contact Fraternity Headquarters at kkghq@kkg.org with questions.
==Highlights of the 1970s==
One of our members has close ties to the Burns family, so we chose this foundation to support our chapter member and the family.
==Highlights of 2016==
Over the course of this year, Beta Zeta underwent a few challenges as well as accomplished many things to help our chapter grow in the right direction. As far as tiers go, we were on tier 0 during the spring semester of 2016, and this fall semester we were placed on tier 1 with the Panhellenic council. Both semesters we had a warning of probation with headquarters. We are continuously working to make Beta Zeta a functioning chapter and to ensure that members are held to their responsibilities. Our VPAE held an academic banquet this fall semester to acknowledge those who have reached their GPA goals, made Dean’s list, or had a perfect 4.0. To stress the importance of grades, each member made a GPA goal for the following semester at the end of the banquet. Our standards chair worked hard on putting together many sisterhoods for us throughout this past year. A few examples are as follows: Kappa Kickboxing, Christmas Cozy, Finals Week Snacks, and a Bonfire with Alpha Phi. Kappa Kickboxing was a great way to release some stress and laugh with one another while exercising. During the Christmas Cozy, members decorated the tree, ate holiday sweets, and participated in a “white elephant.” The Finals week sisterhood was a perfect study break to come get some snacks and studying supplies such as notecards, markers, paper, and pens. Lastly, the bonfire held at Alpha Phi was a chance for us to interact with other Greek members here at the University of Iowa as well as enjoy some tasty treats. Beta Zeta was excited to welcome sixty-one new members into our chapter this year. Members worked endlessly to prepare for recruitment, and selected members that would be an added bonus to our chapter as a whole.
On our campus we try to promote how great Greek life is not only to mmebers that our part of it but also to those that our not. We like to partcipate in other organizations events to show how much we support everything that goes on at our campus. Overall, our chapter is filled with encouraging and enthusiastic girls who want the very best for every member. Everyone works together to ensure that this chapter is running smoothly, and that everyone is enjoying their experience as a Kappa Kappa Gamma. We are all friends, but we also get the opportunity to be sisters which is why Beta Zeta is so special to us all.
Our spring and fall philanthropies were both successful this year. In the spring, we held Kappa Kickoff, where men form football teams and from there members are assigned as coaches. The money that was earned was donated to Reading is Fundamental (RIF.) In the fall, we organized Kappa Karaoke where many fraternities sign up in teams to sing and raise money for the foundation of the current philanthropy chair’s choosing. The teams pick a song, and are judged by a few members who then declare the winner. The money we raised this fall was donated to Liam Koppa’s family. Our philanthropy chair is close with this family, and thought Beta Zeta could be helpful to this family. Another member in Beta Zeta brought it up to our chapters attention and everyone fell inlove with the idea of helping Liam out.
Beta Zeta meets in the dining room/kitchen area for our chapter meetings on Sunday nights because our original chapter room isn’t big enough to comfortably fit all of our chapter members. In the spring we had forty-one people living in the house, and this past fall we had fifty-seven people who lived in.
==Highlights of 2017==
Over the past year, Beta Zeta had a few challenges here and there, but overall the chapter grew in many areas, making a successful year. As far as tiers go, we were on tier 0 during the spring semester of 2017, and the chapter remained on tier 0 until the end of the fall semester in 2017. However, both semesters the chapter remained on a warning of probation, but things were looking up for the chapter in fall. If the chapter works hard enough there will be improvements in the future, Betz Zeta was headed in the right direction. In addition, there was a ban of alcohol on all of greek life, no alcohol is to be promoted at any event, and we are unsure when this will be lifted.
Our own warning of Probation was focused on the academics of the members and the chapter worked hard this past year to try to improve academics. To encourage members to get good grades, members would get nominated if they did good on a test and would get a nice shirt at chapter meetings. Our Standards Chair worked hard this year putting together many sisterhoods throughout the year. A few examples are: Galentines day, fit gym, Beauty and the Beast movie, WERQ class, the Christmas Cozy, and finals week snacks. During the Galentine’s day sisterhood, members came to Kappa dressed in Valentine’s day apparel and there were fun desserts provided, then members just hungout and spent time together. Fit gym was a self defense class. Members got some education about self defense and how to do it. For the Beauty and the Beast sisterhood, members got together in April and headed to the movie theater to watch the new version of Beauty and the Beast. In the fall of 2017 there were only two sisterhoods. At the Werk sisterhood the members gathered at the recreation center and participated in a hour long dance/workout class. Finally the members attended a Christmas Cozy, where members decorated the tree, enjoyed treats, and decorated gingerbread houses. Then a couple days later snacks were provided for members at the house, along with study supplies for finals week. Last but not least, Beta Zeta was very excited to welcome sixty-one new members into our chapter this year. Members worked endlessly to prepare for recruitment, and carefully chose the future sisters that would be an awesome addition to the chapter as a whole.
On the University of Iowa campus we try to promote to not only the members involved in Greek life but also those that are not. Each organization particpates in each other’s events because we are all one community and we want to support each other in everything that goes on. All in all, our chapter is dedicated to loving, and supporting one another, along with others. Many members are involved in groups such as, Dance Marathon, Alpha Kappa Si, Sigma Alpha Lamda, Best buddies and many others. We also have members involved in sports teams. Everyone works together to make sure the chapter is running smoothly, and everyone enjoys their experience as a Kappa Kappa Gamma. We are not only friends, but we are also sisters and that is why Betz Zeta holds a special place in our hearts.
Our Spring and fall philanthropies were both very successful and ran very smoothly. In May we held the Kappa Kickoff, where guys formed football teams and were assigned coaches from kappa. The money that was earned was all donated Reading is Fundamental. In the fall, we organized cookies and Kappacinos, which was on T. Anne Cleary Walkway. Anybody walking by could buy a cookie along with a kappacino. The money we raised was also donated to Reading is fundamental. The next day our philanthropy chair decided to take the leftover cookies and coffee was donated to local businesses, and faternites or sororities.
Beta Zeta meets in the dining hall/ kitchen area of the Kappa house every sunday night at 7 for our chapter meetings. Beta Zeta is such an amazing experience that changes the lives of so many girls. You form sisterhoods that will last a lifetime. Every woman is a dedicated, loving, genuine person that make our chapter the best it can be. Every year the bonds grow more and more, even with new members coming in. We support each other no matter what and the love goes on long past the four years here at University of Iowa.
==Highlights of 2018==
This past year was a successful one at the Beta Zeta Chapter. Starting in January we were on warning of probation from previous incidents, but we shortly got off in February, due to the good behavior and the hard work of the chapter as a whole. We then had an academic banquet, and an advisor from the Tippie school of business came to talk, which was very special and informational. Our chapter was also picked (out of many) for “Behind Happy Faces,” a presentation about mental health. We then had an awesome sisterhood for valentines day called “Galentines” and we rented out the movie theater and all went, which was super fun! To end the busy month we had a sisterhood with Kappa Alpha Theta and did a workout sisterhood.
In March Kappa was announced on Tier 0 which is good at the University of Iowa, since Iowa goes off a tier system unlike other schools. We also had a very unique sisterhood, which was our sushi sisterhood and a sushi chef came in and helped us make our very own sushi! To end the month we all volunteered, by passing out books at a 1 book 2 book event that went towards our philanthropy. As the spring semester was coming closer to an end, we celebrated mom’s weekend in April by hosting a ‘Mom and Paint’ and a brunch on that Sunday. Then we had our successful philanthropy event at a park in Iowa City and sold ice cream cones, our title was “Kappa Kones.” We ended up raising more than $800 for One Book Two Book. To end the semester we had one final sisterhood, having McDonalds and a scavenger hunt around Iowa City.
As we all came back in August, the University of Iowa had some new rules in place. They have what they call the “Pilot Program,” which all the chapter have to be in compliance with to have events, and if they aren’t in compliance they are put on probation. The University also got rid of the tier system. We ended up recruiting an awesome pledge class of 55 girls, then we decided to start off the year with a hot yoga sisterhood September 25th and 26th. The next week we had a very informational educational about sex trafficking, which was two hours and very helpful. As we entered October, dad’s weekend was hosted on the 6th and 7th, at the house with a bags tournament and lunch, then finished with a self defense class the following day. As founder’s day approached we had an annual Founder’s Day Feud at the house, which was over facts of Kappa. Next, we had a Halloween themed non-alc with Alpha Phi at the Kappa house, and the next week a Halloween themed Sisterhood. There was also another successful academic banquet, which was an incentive to reach our chapter’s gpa goal, which all of the girls really wanted to achieve. Then, since we were compliant with Iowa’s Pilot Program, we hosted a formal at the Graduate (masquerade themed), and got a very good report back, therefore we are in good standing with PHC. We started November with Initiation; we initiated 55 girls and it went very well. We also had ‘Breakfast Klub’ at the Old Brick Building for our philanthropy event. This raised almost $2000 for One Book Two Book. As December rolled around we had one final holiday Kozy sisterhood at the house. It was a very busy and great year for the chapter.
There have been many changes on the campus for Greek life at the University of Iowa. There is a new pilot program in place and all the events have to be in Iowa City. There have been many fraternities kicked off or on probation. However, the sororities have remained positive and Kappa has done their best to deal with the recent changes and adjust to all the new rules. We still remain to have one of the higher pledge classes compared to lower number of girls going through recruitment. We have remained positive and hopeful for the future.
==Highlights of 2019==
Beta Zeta Members had a great 2019! Here are some highlights:
Excellence and Values Congruence and Accountability was awarded to our chapter.
An alumni was inducted in Order of Omega Hall of Fame
Improved overall chapter GPA
Hosted an academic banquet and several educational workshops for our members
Several members received scholarships from the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation
Changes on campus include event policies being changed and overall push to decrease high risk drinking on campus. We have made a strong push to be a chapter full of leadership and respect on campus.
For Founders Day, we threw Kappa a birthday party at the house and played an educational trivia game as an entire chapter!
Beta Zeta chapter supports the local Humane Society and the KKG Foundation with their philathropy work and dollars. We chose to give back to Kappa because of how many opportunities this organization has given all of us. We also picked the Humane Society because we have seen how much support animals can give people who are struggling and wanted to donate there.
We began celebrating the sesquicentennial of Kappa Kappa Gamma this fall. The 150 year celebration Minnie Stewart Van visited our chapter! All of us were able to tour the van and do interactive activities to learn more about Kappa and it’s traditions. We plan to continue in educating our members and to celebrate with alumni in the upcoming year.
==Highlights of 2020==
Throughout this previous calendar year, most if not all events/activities were held virtually. Initiation and Primary Recruitment were over zoom. Thankfully, we got very good at using technology and finding ways to continue interacting with each other virtually.
Our organization supports Reading is Fundamental and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. As our national philanthropy partner, we choose to support RIF because of the lack of resources and ability of children to read proficiently. Additionally, we choose to support the KKG Foundation because it gives back to our own members in times of need whether that is a financial crisis, emergency disaster relief, or lifelong education for members. We feel that it is extremely important to give back to others while also making sure that we are supporting our own sisterhood.
How did your chapter include diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives this year? We added a DEI officer for the next calendar year and we could not be more excited. We hope that starting next year, as a chapter in total, we can find more ways to include diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to our programming!
How did your chapter celebrate Kappa's 150th birthday? Facebook live national Kappa Kappa Gamma Celebration! We got to hear from President Gail Owens of Monmouth.
==Highlights of 2021==
During this past calendar year, we were thankful to see some events move from fully virtual to hybrid or fully in person. From January-May, all of our chapter meetings and philanthropy events were held via Zoom, and no other events were put on.
Beginning in August, we were allowed to begin transitioning to in person events! Primary recruitment was fully virtual, but since then we have been able to host in person chapter meetings, sisterhood events, initiation, date parties/formals, dudes weekend, and philanthropy events.
In August of 2021, Kappa Kappa Gamma announced that we would be shifting our philanthropic focus to revolve around mental health and well-being. Kappa has partnered with six new organizations to effectively address the topic of mental health. With everything being virtual for so long, we knew it could take a toll on our members, so we wanted to start a fun new tradition, “Kappa Kares”. “Kappa Kares” first started over zoom and has since transitioned to in person, and is led by our Vice President Standards during her open door time after chapter meetings. Overall, we have turned a tough time into a great year and have watched our chapter as well as our members flourish.
How did the chapter support Kappa’s philanthropy?
In the beginning of the year, we were not able to host any in person events, so we supported Reading is Key, Reading is Fundamental, and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation online. We did this through Zoom, virtual silent auctions, and online fundraisers. However, now that we can have events again, we hosted “Brunch with the KKG’s” for anyone local or around Iowa City to visit, donate, and eat, and anyone not local was welcome to donate via our Crowd Change link. We raised $4530.06 with 75% of the total going to The JED Foundation, and 25% of the total going to the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. All chapter members participated in our philanthropy brunch. In lieu of the undecided local organization, our members participate in gaining service hours by volunteering locally.
How did your chapter include diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in your programming this year?
This year was the first year with our new diversity, equity and inclusion officer sitting on our chapter council. Having this position has opened the door for many conversations and allowed opportunities to better our chapter. After the implantation of our DEI officer, we have found ways to educate ourselves and include diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of our chapter efforts. Our chapter members participated in a DEI educational to further our understanding.
How did your chapter operations change due to COVID-19?
With COVID-19, our chapter saw lots of change. January-May all chapter events were held virtually over zoom. The following school year, primary recruitment was planned to be hybrid, and during our work week was changed to be completely virtual. We quickly navigated the challenges of online recruitment and continued to have a positive outlook on the future. Luckily, after recruitment, we were allowed to begin having in person events again. We held bid day, formal pledging, dudes’ weekend, date party, a philanthropy event, and initiation all in person. While navigating our lives online through COVID-19, we have learned so much and will value this knowledge as we move forward.
[[File:Beta Zeta Zoom meeting during Covid.png|thumb|zoom image]]
==Highlights of 2022==
==Highlights of 2020s:==
