Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Phi Beta and other Greek organizations at Cleveland State?
Phi Beta Fraternity is a co-ed professional fraternity dedicated to promoting all the arts through service. We have a social aspect but we are not primarily a social fraternity, and we aren't an honor fraternity either (you only need an overall CSU undergraduate GPA of 2.5 to join!). So, Phi Beta is the only national Greek-letter organization of its kind at CSU - and in America!
I'm already in a fraternity/sorority; is that a problem?
No problem whatsoever! Whether you're in a social Greek-letter organization, an honor fraternity, another professional arts organization, or anything else, Phi Beta is non-exclusive - which means that no matter what other organizations you are a part of, you can still join Phi Beta if you qualify.
I'm not majoring in the arts. Can I still join?
Absolutely! You don't have to be an arts major or minor to become a part of Phi Beta; all you have to do is be active in some area of the arts and be interested in promoting the arts through service.
I want to be a Phi Beta. What do I have to do to join?
First, you need to go to some of our Recruitment events and activities so you can meet us and we can get to know each other! The best (and easiest) way to do this is by coming to some of our Recruitment Week open events and an invitation-only dinner; these events are held in early Fall and Spring semester. After Recruitment week is over, if our members feel you would be an asset to the Fraternity and a good fit with us, you will be extended a "bid" or invitation to join us as a Probationary Member. You'll spend about six weeks learning about the Fraternity and getting to know us (as well as others who are learning along with you) through projects and activities, then we celebrate the end of your education process with a fun recital and exhibition so all the Probationary Members can each show off their own art form. Finally, at the very end of this process, you will become a full member at Initiation!
What about hazing?
You will NEVER be hazed. Hazing is not only against the policies of Phi Beta Fraternity, it's also against the regulations of Cleveland State University and the state laws of Ohio. We have a strict zero-tolerance policy against hazing, and will neither engage in it nor tolerate it from any member. You have the right to refuse to answer any question or participate in any activity that makes you feel uncomfortable. In short, all you ever have to do is tell us you're not comfortable with participating in something, and whatever it is, it stops - period.
How much does it cost to join?
Probationary Members pay a one-time fee of $120 (which can be paid in installments if you choose), and Full Members pay dues of $70 per year after initiation.
What does my money pay for?
Part of your one-time fee goes to Phi Beta's National office and pays for the handbook you'll use as a reference during your education period and throughout your time as a Phi Beta collegiate member, along with (once you're fully initiated) your membership certificate and first National dues payment. The rest is your local fee, for which you get a t-shirt with the Phi Beta name and colors, your Probationary Member Education binder created especially for use in our colony, and (after Initiation) your official Greek-letter t-shirt and membership badge, wearable only by fully initiated Phi Betas. As a bonus you can also get a Phi Beta letter hoodie, either instead of the t-shirt or in addition to it, for just a little extra... so what you pay really depends on exactly what you want!
As for your annual dues, they are a LOT lower than those of most national Greek-letter organizations - and it all benefits you directly. $30 per year goes to Nationals, and that pays for your subscriptions to the Phi Beta members-only magazine and e-zine, access to members-only areas of the National website, and support from Phi Beta's National office, along with helping to provide the National organization with operating funds. The other $40 per year stays right here in our chapter and helps to fund our service, social and arts-related programming.
Phi Beta Fraternity is a co-ed professional fraternity dedicated to promoting all the arts through service. We have a social aspect but we are not primarily a social fraternity, and we aren't an honor fraternity either (you only need an overall CSU undergraduate GPA of 2.5 to join!). So, Phi Beta is the only national Greek-letter organization of its kind at CSU - and in America!
I'm already in a fraternity/sorority; is that a problem?
No problem whatsoever! Whether you're in a social Greek-letter organization, an honor fraternity, another professional arts organization, or anything else, Phi Beta is non-exclusive - which means that no matter what other organizations you are a part of, you can still join Phi Beta if you qualify.
I'm not majoring in the arts. Can I still join?
Absolutely! You don't have to be an arts major or minor to become a part of Phi Beta; all you have to do is be active in some area of the arts and be interested in promoting the arts through service.
I want to be a Phi Beta. What do I have to do to join?
First, you need to go to some of our Recruitment events and activities so you can meet us and we can get to know each other! The best (and easiest) way to do this is by coming to some of our Recruitment Week open events and an invitation-only dinner; these events are held in early Fall and Spring semester. After Recruitment week is over, if our members feel you would be an asset to the Fraternity and a good fit with us, you will be extended a "bid" or invitation to join us as a Probationary Member. You'll spend about six weeks learning about the Fraternity and getting to know us (as well as others who are learning along with you) through projects and activities, then we celebrate the end of your education process with a fun recital and exhibition so all the Probationary Members can each show off their own art form. Finally, at the very end of this process, you will become a full member at Initiation!
What about hazing?
You will NEVER be hazed. Hazing is not only against the policies of Phi Beta Fraternity, it's also against the regulations of Cleveland State University and the state laws of Ohio. We have a strict zero-tolerance policy against hazing, and will neither engage in it nor tolerate it from any member. You have the right to refuse to answer any question or participate in any activity that makes you feel uncomfortable. In short, all you ever have to do is tell us you're not comfortable with participating in something, and whatever it is, it stops - period.
How much does it cost to join?
Probationary Members pay a one-time fee of $120 (which can be paid in installments if you choose), and Full Members pay dues of $70 per year after initiation.
What does my money pay for?
Part of your one-time fee goes to Phi Beta's National office and pays for the handbook you'll use as a reference during your education period and throughout your time as a Phi Beta collegiate member, along with (once you're fully initiated) your membership certificate and first National dues payment. The rest is your local fee, for which you get a t-shirt with the Phi Beta name and colors, your Probationary Member Education binder created especially for use in our colony, and (after Initiation) your official Greek-letter t-shirt and membership badge, wearable only by fully initiated Phi Betas. As a bonus you can also get a Phi Beta letter hoodie, either instead of the t-shirt or in addition to it, for just a little extra... so what you pay really depends on exactly what you want!
As for your annual dues, they are a LOT lower than those of most national Greek-letter organizations - and it all benefits you directly. $30 per year goes to Nationals, and that pays for your subscriptions to the Phi Beta members-only magazine and e-zine, access to members-only areas of the National website, and support from Phi Beta's National office, along with helping to provide the National organization with operating funds. The other $40 per year stays right here in our chapter and helps to fund our service, social and arts-related programming.
