When I joined ASU, I had a lot of questions and so did my parents about what the sorority would really be like once I joined.  I’ve taken a few of those questions I had, along with questions I’ve heard from other girls and answered them for you here!

•  How is Alpha Sigma Upsilon different from other sororities we’ve heard of?
• I’m not involved with agriculture, why would I join ASU?
• I’ve heard a lot of sororities participate in hazing and other degrading practices during their “initiation” phase, does ASU do this?
• Sororities are often stereotyped as being discriminatory, catty and mean – how do I know ASU won’t be like that once I join?
• What kind of activities does Alpha Sigma Upsilon participate in throughout the year?
• How can parents be involved with ASU if their daughter joins ASU?
• Does ASU have a house and can I live in it?
• Will becoming a member of Alpha Sigma Upsilon take over all my free time?
• What kind of supervision does ASU have?
• Greek Facts

How is Alpha Sigma Upsilon different from other sororities we’ve heard of?

Alpha Sigma Upsilon is different for many reasons.  For one, we are a local sorority – meaning our sorority was founded by women right here at OSU especially for the women of OSU.  This also means you won’t see $300 dues to be a member.  Although we do use member dues to fund all of our activities, we understand that college is expensive enough and so we keep our dues at a reasonable level and also offer payment plans in order to allow girls to pay their dues in installments.  Another reason ASU is different, is our size.  ASU stays a close-knit family because we keep our numbers small.  Many sororities can have upwards of 70 members during any one quarter, making it impossible for you to actually become close to everyone.  Through selection of quality girls, we keep our membership around 25, so all the girls really know each other well and function as sisters in every way.  These are just two of the ways ASU differs from many other sororities.  Others include our appreciation and common thread of a small town, rural or farm lifestyle.

I’m not involved with agriculture, why would I join ASU?

Alpha Sigma Upsilon began with the ideals of agricultural and rural living as the common background of our founders.  Although many of our girls grew up on farms, there are also many girls who had no tie to agriculture or farming in their background.  We welcome girls of all backgrounds-city, suburban or farm.  Many of our girls are also former members of FFA or 4-H.  Because of this, girls are able to help each other find wonderful opportunities for internships, jobs and other activities.  Once again though, being from an agricultural background or having an agricultural major are not requirements for membership, nor do all our members fit these criterion.  Diversity is highly appreciated in our organization; this includes a diverse sampling of backgrounds, majors and interests as well.

I’ve heard a lot of sororities participate in hazing and other degrading practices during their “initiation” phase, does ASU do this?

 Alpha Sigma Upsilon and OSU in general, have a very strict policy against hazing and any other degrading activities of their pledges.  ASU wants to welcome girls into their family, and we do this through the use of team building and leadership activities that build respect and create bonds between all sisters, new and old.  As with every sorority or fraternity, the specific details of our initiation practices are a secret known only to members – but it can be assured that the women of Alpha Sigma Upsilon treat all the young women who walk through our doors with love and respect regardless of whether they decide to join our sorority or not. 

Sororities are often stereotyped as being discriminatory, catty and mean – how do I know ASU won’t be like that once I join?

 Alpha Sigma Upsilon celebrates the rich diversity that is offered to students at Ohio State.  We subscribe to a strict equal opportunity policy and encourage girls of all majors to join our sorority.  Although we realize stereotypes exist, our sorority prides itself on being a loving and supportive environment for all of our members.  Just as any other group of sisters sometimes argue, so do we – but we also work together to resolve any of our differences and, most importantly, get rid of the drama!

What kind of activities does Alpha Sigma Upsilon participate in throughout the year?

 ASU is a very active organization and we participate in numerous activities throughout the year.  These include community service activities such as volunteering at Columbus Children’s Hospital, fundraising activities such as planting flowers in and around Columbus, and just plain fun stuff such as scrap booking or t-shirt making parties.  Each year we also hold an alumni retreat that allows our alumni a chance to come back and get to know the current girls of ASU. 

How can parents be involved with ASU if their daughter joins?

Parents are always welcome at any of our open events.  We also hold a recognition banquet each spring where members are acknowledged with awards for scholarship, leadership, citizenship and sisterhood which are nominated and voted upon by their peers. 

Does ASU have a house and can I live in it?

 ASU has had a chapter house since 2000.  Over the summer of 2006, the girls moved to a new residence at 250 E Oakland Avenue.  A fully renovated house near campus and in the historical district will serve as the new permanent home and the hub of all sorority activities.  The house allows for 4 girls to live in it (single room occupancy, 8 with double room occupancy), however, girls living in the house pay rent as if 5 women lived there, with the sorority paying the 5th person’s share of the rent.  Currently, the four women living in the house are the top four officers of the organization (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer) unless one of those women chooses not to live there and finds a replacement within the sorority.  All members are eligible for the replacement spot.

Will becoming a member of Alpha Sigma Upsilon take over all my free time?

 Absolutely not! We encourage our girls to have lives outside of our sorority; otherwise there would be nothing new to talk about!  Academics are extremely important to us.  A minimum GPA is required to stay active in Alpha Sigma Upsilon. We work hard to ensure that there is plenty of time for school work and that we help each other with our classes.  Our girls are also involved in a number of other organizations, as well as still having time to go home and see family, or spend time with other friends.  Although being a member will be a huge part of your life, it most definitely won’t become your life.

What kind of supervision does ASU have?

Alpha Sigma Upsilon is proud to have two wonderfully supportive advisers for their sorority. Cheryl Buck, of OSU Extension and Susie Bowersox, an ASU alum, add their wisdom and guidance to everything the girls do. Advisers are present at all meetings and most of the extra activities. The sorority must at all times have two adult advisers, one of which must be an OSU employee and one that must be an ASU alum. 

Greek Facts

Here are just a few facts about Greek organizations to think about:

• Since 1825, when Greek letter organizations began, all but two U.S. presidents have been Greek

• Both females appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court are sorority alums

• 85% of Fortune 500 executives are Greek

• Since 1910, 40 of the 47 Supreme Court Justices have been Greek

• Over 70% of Greeks graduate, while only 50% of non-Greeks will graduate

• Both the first female Senator and first female astronaut were Greek

If you have any other questions, feel free to email me or any of the girls and we’ll be happy to reply! We would love to hear from you!