As the student population of the school continues to grow, so does the interest of national and international organizations looking to establish a following on campus. Though nationally recognized academic or service societies are nothing new to the university, there has been a growth of interest in creating a Greek community on campus. UVU is already home to a colony of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and by the end of this month will welcome its ?rst national sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha.
Last year, the Kappa Sisters club was established on campus as a local sorority. Their aim was to develop a support system of women dedicated to helping one another through school in the bonds of sisterhood. Last April, the Kappa Sisters were approached by representatives of the national sorority Alpha Sigma Alpha. These representatives gave a presentation to the Kappa Sisters on the bene?ts of being a part of a national sorority. The Kappa Sisters then decided, by unanimous vote, to join the organization.
Alpha Sigma Alpha was founded on Nov. 15, 1901 at the State Female Normal School, now called Longwood University in Farmville, Va. The ?ve founders built their organization on intellectual, physical, social and spiritual development. Their motto, “Aspire, Seek, Attain,” encourages their sisters to be passionate and driven in everything they do.
Mary Peay, a junior from Mapleton, and the president of the future Alpha Sigma Alpha colony, had the opportunity to go to the national convention where she met other sisters and learned more about the organization.
“I’ve never felt so welcome,” Peay said. “There was such a variety of women that I ?t in quite well.”
When a national sorority or fraternity is interested in starting a chapter on a campus, they recruit people interested and then form what is called a colony. The colony is then given a list of requirements they must ful?ll in order to become a chapter and receive the full bene?ts of the organization. When asked about what challenges have occurred in their colony to chapter process, Peay, along with Madison Leavitt, a native of Hemet, Calif. and the vice president of programming and rituals, talked about their troubles with recruitment. Right now, they have roughly 28 members, but need 40 by November in order to become a chapter. Peay attributes their problems with getting enough girls to overlook the “sorority girl” stigma portrayed in movies such as Legally Blonde and The House Bunny.
“Everyone says, ‘Oh, that’s not my scene,’ ” Peay commented. “But they don’t even know what the scene is.”
Leavitt then quoted the of?cial vision of Alpha Sigma Alpha, as stated in the Alpha Sigma Alpha Constitution: “Our vision [is] to cultivate values and ideals in women who are known for their character and concern for others. Alpha Sigma Alpha inspires women to lead, to serve and, most of all, to make a true difference.” Leavitt emphasized how this is what it means to be an Alpha Sigma Alpha.
Peay and Leavitt commented on how they and their other sisters are trying to combat the stereotype. Peay stated they are trying to be good examples.
“Even people who don’t even know what a sorority is will see what we’re doing and know it’s good.” Leavitt said.
Since Alpha Sigma Alpha is also service based, the women of the UVU colony will be holding their ?rst philanthropy event in October. There will be a Comedy Throwdown, featuring local comedians and members of improv teams competing to prove who is the funniest among them. All of the proceeds from the event will go to the S. June Smith Center, which helps children with developmental needs.
