Today pledging is not the part of membership process of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Any prospective member who willingly or knowingly participates in pledging activities may be forbidden from membership with Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
Moreover, if it is discovered that a person participated in pledging activities once she is a member can lead to expulsion and/or suspension of that member. The same rules on pledging apply to graduate membership of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. In fact, membership intake process activities before and after Rush are prohibited, though the school may require that prospective candidates fulfill or meet certain conditions before seeking membership.
The pledging period used to start with the beginning of the probation period and ended with the initiation ceremony before it was banned. The probation period began one week before initiation except on campuses where Panhellenic of administrative regulations differed. Before pledging was banned, introduction into membership involved a pledging ceremony.
The pledging ceremony was a part of the induction into a full member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. The pledge ceremony was followed by voting candidates, signing affirmation cards, approval of the regional director, and acceptance by the candidate of an officially written invitation to affiliate with the Pledge club.
Before pledging was banned, it took place no longer than six weeks before the initiation, except where the university of PanHellenic and college or university regulations dictated other procedure. In these cases, copies at the respective college/university regulations accompanied requests permissions to make these exceptions.
How Many Credits Do You Need To Pledge, AKA?
Pledging, as said before, is not a part of the membership process and is completely prohibited. Any prospective candidate who takes part in pledging either willingly or knowingly is forbidden from the membership of the sorority.
If it is found that a member participated in pledging activities once a member, it results in suspension or expulsion of her membership. Undergraduates who wish to become Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority members should be registered in at least twelve credit hours during the semester the candidate has applied for membership.
What Are AKA Pledges Called?
The people who pledged with Alpha Kappa Alpha are called line sisters. They call each other soror. The pledges call current members of the chapters big sisters or prophyte.
How Do You Become an AKA Member?
There are three ways through which a prospective candidate can become an Alpha Kappa Alpha member: Undergraduate membership, Graduate membership, and legacy candidate.
Undergraduate Membership
In order to become a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, you must attend the official rush event. The information about the Rush event, such as the date, time and location of the activity, is posted minimum of two weeks in advance. However, the college/university may impose some additional requirements that can impact the membership process. The potential candidates who do not attend Rush are ineligible for candidacy consideration at that time.
The “Undergraduate Membership Interest Application Form” will assist the prospective candidates in preparing for a Rush event.
Graduate Membership
Becoming an Alpha Kappa Alpha graduate member is only possible through invitation. The invitation is given by local graduate chapters only. The local chapter members host public events that candidates may attend to become Alpha Kappa Alpha’s graduate members. The intake process starts with receiving an official letter of invitation.
Legacy Candidate
A legacy candidate is a candidate who is the daughter, adopted daughter, granddaughter, legal ward or stepdaughter of an active member or deceased member. To become a legacy candidate, the prospective member shall submit a legacy application.
It is required that a living family member must have been an active member for at least two years ( two years are defined as twenty- four consecutive months) immediately preceding the submission of an undergraduate/graduate legacy application. But undergraduates/ graduates applying as the legacy candidate must fulfill other membership requirements.
How Do You Get Invited To AKA Grad Chapter?
Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority’s Graduate Membership Intake Process, also known as MIP, is by invitation only. The invitation is extended by one of the local graduate chapters, and the invitation may not be solicited.
To receive the invitation, you must attend the public events hosted by the sorority to get acquainted with them.
The local chapters host public events, like social activities, cultural presentations and forums, which you may attend to become acquainted with the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority members and the community service activities in your area. The Chapter Locator feature on the site provides the names of the chapter and contacts in your community.
The Membership Intake Process begins with an Official Letter of Invitation on chapter stationery that is signed by the local graduate chapter president and membership chair. No membership activities will take place before receipt of an official letter of invitation.