According to Alpha Sigma Tau Educational Leadership Consultant Jennifer Mullins, the national sorority is all about active, self-reliant and trustworthy women.
AST is starting a new chapter at Geneseo. “We were in talks with Theta, and we’re transitioning with them, and they more or less merged into Alpha Sigma Tau - that’s how we got here,” Mullins said.
During February, AST recruited 67 women and more recruitment is expected to occur after Spring Break. AST requires its members to have a minimum GPA of a 2.5 and to be involved in at least one other on-campus organization.
“They’re already committed to campus and involved in student life here,” Mullins said. “It shows that they’re ready and looking for more opportunities to be involved.”
Members were awarded bids after one-on-one interviews with Mullins.
According to Mullins, the first chapter of the sorority was founded in 1899 in Ypsilanti, Mich. and originally included only eight women. It has since grown to include over 50,000 alumni and collegians. The sorority’s flower is the yellow rose, its jewel is the pearl and its colors are emerald green and gold.
“Our mission statement is to cultivate the social, ethical and cultural development of our members,” Mullins said.
AST members on campus have already been involved in several fundraising efforts, including Relay for Life and Make Your Mark. AST raised over $2,500 for Relay for Life and had the most contributions in its organization for sororities in Make Your Mark, according to Mullins. Mullins added that Geneseo’s pre-established Greek community will have a positive impact on the sorority’s growth.
“You know, Greek is good here,” she said. “People know about it and have heard about it and there’s a definite room for growth.”
AST’s status as a national organization comes with many benefits, including a large alumni base spread out across the country. The organization also supports two charitable organizations on a national level. Mullins said AST has supported the Pine Mountain Settlement School since 1945, and adopted Habitat for Humanity as a National Service Project in 2004.
“I hope people don’t push AST aside because of a stereotype, a national stereotype that all Greeks fight,” Mullins said. “I hope that people don’t focus on those negative media portrayals and actually come out and meet us and our women to see who they are and see what we stand for.”