Mission and Q&A
Alpha Sigma Tau strives to uphold the four pillars of greek life: scholarship, leadership, friendship and service. In addition, we represent a diverse group of women with a variety of interests.
Our Purpose
The purpose of Alpha Sigma Tau best describes our core values.
Alpha Sigma Tau promotes the ethical, cultural, and social development of its members, specifically:
*to develop the character of each member through a study of ethics so that she will show in all her relationships sincerity, honesty, love and understanding;
*to help each member enjoy the cultural advantages in life so that she will know how to select those things which are most worthwhile; and
*to develop in each member the social graces to the extent that she will be able to take her place in life with true dignity and poise.
Our Creed further expands how we will meet these standards.
As a member of Alpha Sigma Tau,
I believe in the permanence and loveliness of its ideals.
I believe in the values of friendship and fidelity to purpose.
I believe in the fulfillment of self and will strive to contribute my share to the progress of mankind.
I believe in cultivating beauty of spirit and graciousness of living in all my contacts with others.
I believe that faithfulness to these ideals will help me to live joyously and valiantly.
Who is Alpha Sigma Tau?
For starters, we are a very diverse close-knit group of girls with a shared bond: sisterhood. We have different hometowns, various backgrounds and our own personalities but we have one common element: we chose Alpha Sigma Tau. We are your roommate, your neighbor down the hall, a classmate or a friendly face in a sea of strangers on campus. Look for us studying in the library, volunteering for local charities, working on campus, shopping in Tulsa, and proudly wearing our letters. We are women, just like you, who respect each other, struggle with new challenges, seek support from friends and most of all, know how to have fun!
What kinds of girls does AST accept?
There is no specific "type" of an Alpha Sigma Tau woman. Selection of new members is based on the individual, not a cookie-cutter mold. However, we do seek women who are well-rounded, dependable, intellectual and ready to face new challenges and social opportunities. Also, we require new members to have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA and encourage all members to get involved in at least one other organization. Alpha Sigma Tau is the sum total of our membership; its progress and its achievements are determined by the ability and quality of its members.
What types of activities do you participate in?
EVERYTHING!!! You can find us on campus in various places taking part in every club and organization offered. AST members are involved in Campus Crusade for Christ, Student Broadcasting Association, and Student Government Association, just to name a few. Our social events include a ceremonial dinner in the fall (our Black and White Social), a formal in the spring, as well as mixers with collegiate organizations in the area. In our spare time, we never hesitate to get together for some coffee, watch our favorite TV shows, rent movies, and have fun!
What is your phillanthropy?
Philanthropy is a big part of an AST's life. The official philanthropy of Alpha Sigma Tau is the Pine Mountain Settlement School. Since 1945, Alpha Sigma Tau has supported Pine Mountain School in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains as its National Philanthropy. The school is located on the north side of a mountain in Harlan County, Kentucky. The spirit of its goals -- to help the people of the area make a difference with their lives -- parallels the purpose of Alpha Sigma Tau.
We also nationally support Habitat for Humanity. It is about bringing hope and transforming lives. Their mission of eliminating poverty housing and homelessness from the world—regardless of political, social or religious differences, reflects our open motto of being "active, self-reliant, and trustworthy"
Locally, the Epsilon Delta Chapter is dedicated to the Juvinille Diabetes Research Foundation. To raise money for this, each year we sell shoes in the student union and raise money individually. The sisters of AST are dedicated to various other causes, including Depression Awareness, Battered Women's shelters and various relief efforts nationwide.
How many members do you have?
Currently we have approximately 22 women (Fall 2008). We pride ourselves on searching for quality women (rather than quantities of women) and are a very close-knit group.
Why should I go Greek at all?
There's more to joining a sorority than getting to wear letters on a sweatshirt. You immediately have a group of people who share similar interests as you. You not only are part of the sorority at Rogers State University, but you are part of a national organization with many chapters and a network of people. Your sisters and you will develop a bond over time--and you will likely keep in touch with them long after you graduate.
Going Greek will offer you opportunities in:
- Sisterhood
- Scholarship
- Leadership
- Public Service
- Social Development
Greek life encourages endless possibilities for building friendships that last a lifetime, strengthens academic achievement, fosters community service and countless leadership opportunities.
Don't sororities haze?
Alpha Sigma Tau does not haze. The purpose of Alpha Sigma Tau is to promote the ethical, cultural, and social development of its members. With this in mind, AST believes in the development and education of its members through positive, meaningful and enjoyable experiences. The purpose of pledging is to help foster a bond between the women of a new member class and the sisters that have already been initiated. We do not mentally, physically or emotionally degrade new members. To do so would work against the ties of sisterhood that we aim to create.
Will being in a sorority affect my grades?
Academics are a top priority to AST as is promoting the value of a college education to each new member. Not only is there support for coursework, but AST has numerous scholastic awards, scholarships, and grants for continuing education. Since AST is so diverse, chances are you'll find a sister with the same major who can add some light to your tough biochemistry class or who can be your study buddy. All members of AST at RSU must maintain a 2.5 GPA in order to remain active within the group, and the average cumulative GPA is currently 3.07.
Greek life Facts:
- 33 of the Presidents of the United States and 16 of the Vice Presidents have been Greek
- 71% of all the Who's Who listees are Greek
- 85% of Fortune 500 executives are Greek
- Compared to the general student population, sorority and fraternity members are 10% more likely to graduate from college
Greeks do far more than party. As undergraduates during their active memberships, Greeks raise nearly $7 million per year for charities and give almost 850,000 hours of their time to volunteer work
Going Greek is still the thing to do: membership in Greek organizations increased 178% between 1973 and 1999 Maya Angelou, Lucille Ball, Candice Bergen, Liz Claiborne, Katie Couric, Courtney Cox, Cindy Crawford, Sheryl Crow, Elizabeth Dole, Julia Louis Dreyfuss, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Amy Grant, Goldie Hawn, Florence Henderson, Holly Hunter, Star Jones, Gladys Knight, Harper Lee, Susan Lucci, Lucy Liu, Joan Lunden, Sandra Day O'Conner, Sarah Jessica Parker, Nancy Reagan, Meg Ryan, Cybil Shepard, Sharon Stone, Kerry Strugg, Sela Ward, and Vanessa Williams are all Greek!
Higher education studies have shown that men and women who join Greek organizations:
1. Are more pleased with their college experience
2. Attain higher grades while in college
3. Graduate at higher levels than non-Greeks
4. Remain active and loyal after graduation