Information about Alpha Sigma Tau for Parents of New Students
What an exciting time… dropping your daughter off at college; the true test of years of parenting. Will she make good grades? Will she make responsible choices?
As a parent, your primary concern is that your daughter is happy, healthy, and successful in all her endeavors. You hope that she will have a well-rounded university experience, learn about the people around her and the society awaiting her, and develop the personal and professional skills she needs to succeed in life. While half of your daughter’s experience will be in the classroom, the other half will be learning experiences outside of academic pursuits. Involvement in a Greek organization can ensure that that time is spent cultivating leadership, time management, and interpersonal skills, a desire to be of service to the community, and the close bonds of friendship found only in a family. It will also ensure that she has the resources available through educational programming and the help of local sorority alumni, advisors, and sisters all over the country to seek help with personal issues, academic concerns, and potential career contacts.
While students often ask about the social benefits of sorority life, parents have a few questions of their own. Here are the most common questions asked by parents and their answers:
How much does it cost?
Like any other national organization, there are bills to pay to ensure its proper operation. Fraternities and sororities are no different. The fees and dues your daughter pays to Alpha Sigma Tau are used locally and nationally to cover various costs including national philanthropy projects (our national service project is Habitat for Humanity), general chapter management (costs of copies, materials, postage), scholarship endowments for which your daughter is eligible, upkeep of the chapter’s rented meeting space, and personal items such as her sorority pin and handbooks. These funds are also used for other expenses such as fruit baskets made for the elderly at holidays, donated school supplies to local head start organizations, and “fun” items like t-shirts and homecoming decorations. A separate itemized list of membership costs is provided at rush events. Typically, at UWA, sorority membership fees are approximately $350.00 each semester… much, much lower than larger schools with housing requirements!
What about alcohol use?
Alpha Sigma Tau, like most national collegiate social organizations, operates under a strict no alcohol policy. Alpha Sigma Tau does not allow alcoholic beverages to be served at any sorority-sponsored event. In addition, AST encourages the spirit of sisterhood and reaffirms the responsibilities of each member toward the reputation of the organization and to other members. Alpha Sigma Tau promotes alcohol awareness educational programming through sorority publications, regional and local workshops, and national conventions.
What about hazing?
The practice of hazing is detrimental to the basic human rights of each individual. It is also illegal in the state of Alabama, prohibited on the campus of The University of West Alabama, and not tolerated by Alpha Sigma Tau. Alpha Sigma Tau believes in the development and education of our members through positive, meaningful, honorable, and enjoyable experiences and activities.
What about my daughter’s grades?
Greek organizations expect high academic standards of their members. There is a minimum GPA required before a pledged member may be initiated into Alpha Sigma Tau and for her to maintain voting and social privileges. Also, programs are held (such as study hall by major) within the chapter each semester to help students develop positive study habits. It is a fact that Greek women consistently have higher GPA’s and graduation rates than non-Greek women. Alpha Sigma Tau encourages healthy competition among its members for outstanding academic performance and regularly recognizes members achieving academic excellence.
How can I be involved as a parent?
During recruitment, your daughter will be making the decision about which sorority best fits her personality and values. If she feels comfortable with our group, we hope she will choose Alpha Sigma Tau. The decision isn’t easy and she may need your support during this time. Once she becomes a pledged member, she will learn about the history and traditions of the organization until she is initiated. It is an exciting time and your daughter will no doubt invite you to several activities throughout the years to come- Parent Cookouts, Mother/Daughter Luncheons, Homecoming BBQs. Look forward to another opportunity to share your daughter’s interests and to continue or strengthen the relationship you created before she became the independent young woman you raised her to be.
Questions?
The Alpha Sigma Tau advisory team at UWA is made up of sorority alumnae who are UWA faculty and staff who consider it a privilege to mentor young women.We will be here to help with anything your daughter may need- sort of a mom away from home. If you or your daughter have any questions about sorority rush or sorority life in general, please feel free to contact us. Sorority life is not for everyone. If your daughter chooses not to participate in Greek life, know that she will have a very rewarding experience at UWA. We will be happy to help her in any way regardless of her sorority affiliation.
Stephanie Hyche
205-652-3755
[email protected]
Allie Reed
205-652-5514
[email protected]
As a parent, your primary concern is that your daughter is happy, healthy, and successful in all her endeavors. You hope that she will have a well-rounded university experience, learn about the people around her and the society awaiting her, and develop the personal and professional skills she needs to succeed in life. While half of your daughter’s experience will be in the classroom, the other half will be learning experiences outside of academic pursuits. Involvement in a Greek organization can ensure that that time is spent cultivating leadership, time management, and interpersonal skills, a desire to be of service to the community, and the close bonds of friendship found only in a family. It will also ensure that she has the resources available through educational programming and the help of local sorority alumni, advisors, and sisters all over the country to seek help with personal issues, academic concerns, and potential career contacts.
While students often ask about the social benefits of sorority life, parents have a few questions of their own. Here are the most common questions asked by parents and their answers:
How much does it cost?
Like any other national organization, there are bills to pay to ensure its proper operation. Fraternities and sororities are no different. The fees and dues your daughter pays to Alpha Sigma Tau are used locally and nationally to cover various costs including national philanthropy projects (our national service project is Habitat for Humanity), general chapter management (costs of copies, materials, postage), scholarship endowments for which your daughter is eligible, upkeep of the chapter’s rented meeting space, and personal items such as her sorority pin and handbooks. These funds are also used for other expenses such as fruit baskets made for the elderly at holidays, donated school supplies to local head start organizations, and “fun” items like t-shirts and homecoming decorations. A separate itemized list of membership costs is provided at rush events. Typically, at UWA, sorority membership fees are approximately $350.00 each semester… much, much lower than larger schools with housing requirements!
What about alcohol use?
Alpha Sigma Tau, like most national collegiate social organizations, operates under a strict no alcohol policy. Alpha Sigma Tau does not allow alcoholic beverages to be served at any sorority-sponsored event. In addition, AST encourages the spirit of sisterhood and reaffirms the responsibilities of each member toward the reputation of the organization and to other members. Alpha Sigma Tau promotes alcohol awareness educational programming through sorority publications, regional and local workshops, and national conventions.
What about hazing?
The practice of hazing is detrimental to the basic human rights of each individual. It is also illegal in the state of Alabama, prohibited on the campus of The University of West Alabama, and not tolerated by Alpha Sigma Tau. Alpha Sigma Tau believes in the development and education of our members through positive, meaningful, honorable, and enjoyable experiences and activities.
What about my daughter’s grades?
Greek organizations expect high academic standards of their members. There is a minimum GPA required before a pledged member may be initiated into Alpha Sigma Tau and for her to maintain voting and social privileges. Also, programs are held (such as study hall by major) within the chapter each semester to help students develop positive study habits. It is a fact that Greek women consistently have higher GPA’s and graduation rates than non-Greek women. Alpha Sigma Tau encourages healthy competition among its members for outstanding academic performance and regularly recognizes members achieving academic excellence.
How can I be involved as a parent?
During recruitment, your daughter will be making the decision about which sorority best fits her personality and values. If she feels comfortable with our group, we hope she will choose Alpha Sigma Tau. The decision isn’t easy and she may need your support during this time. Once she becomes a pledged member, she will learn about the history and traditions of the organization until she is initiated. It is an exciting time and your daughter will no doubt invite you to several activities throughout the years to come- Parent Cookouts, Mother/Daughter Luncheons, Homecoming BBQs. Look forward to another opportunity to share your daughter’s interests and to continue or strengthen the relationship you created before she became the independent young woman you raised her to be.
Questions?
The Alpha Sigma Tau advisory team at UWA is made up of sorority alumnae who are UWA faculty and staff who consider it a privilege to mentor young women.We will be here to help with anything your daughter may need- sort of a mom away from home. If you or your daughter have any questions about sorority rush or sorority life in general, please feel free to contact us. Sorority life is not for everyone. If your daughter chooses not to participate in Greek life, know that she will have a very rewarding experience at UWA. We will be happy to help her in any way regardless of her sorority affiliation.
Stephanie Hyche
205-652-3755
[email protected]
Allie Reed
205-652-5514
[email protected]