At the time of its founding, all existing student associations were either traditional/conservative, or Christian, or Frisian.
Cleopatra emerged from a tutor group of the Economy faculty of Groningen State University.
Its main characteristic is the fact that hazing (a compulsory, often abusive introduction period) is forbidden.
Cleopatra resembles many other student associations in the Netherlands in having various substructures (although with different names) and aiming at enhancing the social contact between its members by organising various leisure time activities.
The structures include: Cleopatra is a member of ZEUS (Zusterlijke Eenheid Uit Saamhorigheid "Sisterly Unity Out Of Concord"), a confederation of alternative student associations in other cities.