By Laura Angus, media relations assistant
The members Alpha Sigma Tau will spend their summer enjoying their new home on campus, after moving into the cottage district near the east entrance of campus in January. They plan to bond as sisters, display their sorority letters and colors and work to build up their membership.
“We really wanted a house because it’s really big for our sorority, since we’re the youngest on campus,” said Social Chair Olivia Patrick, sophomore. The OU chapter was founded in 2001.
“It’s a really big recruitment item because lots of people want to live in a house,” she said. “It’s part of the typical Greek life.”
When the sorority moved in this year, they held a ribbon cutting event and an open house, said Patrick. Since then, they’ve had a lot of events in the house and spent a lot of time hanging out with each other.
Chapter president Britany DePorre, senior, said this summer the sorority will focus on sisterhood activities.
“It’s to get closer to our sisters, to get to know one another and to prepare ourselves for the fall,” said DePorre.
She said the house on campus has brought the chapter together.
“It’s fun to live with people you know,” she said. “Since we all are part of the same organization, we have a lot in common.”
In the fall, Alpha Sigma Tau will hold an ice cream social and participate in formal recruitment with the other sororities on campus. The sorority currently has five members, and there are several others who are interested in joining.
As part of the group’s recruiting efforts during the winter semester, they passed out lemonade and hot chocolate and had information tables in the Oakland Center.
“We offer a lot of opportunities for leadership,” DePorre said. “Since we are smaller, it’s not as competitive as other groups and there are a lot more immediate opportunities for leadership.”
Patrick said the chapter is a welcoming one, and the members want to meet new girls who are interested in joining, becoming a leader and becoming more social.
“You automatically become a thousand times more social than you were before you joined,” she said. “The networking in the Greek community at OU is amazing.”
Throughout the year, the chapter raises money for the national chapters’ cause, the Pine Mountain Settlement School. The members also participate in Habitat for Humanity builds in their areas.
The Alpha Sigma Tau motto is “Scholars, Philanthropists, Leaders and Sisters.” The sorority strives for the ethical, cultural and social development of its members, creating active, self-reliant and trustworthy women. Alpha Sigma Tau is open to all students from any major or discipline.
The cottage district consists of four university-owned homes that are shared by select groups of upper-division students who belong to a student organization, fraternity, sorority, or share a common interest or program. Students must have a 3.0 GPA to become involved in Alpha Sigma Tau.
This small community is located on Oakland University property directly across the street from the main campus off Adams Road near the east entrance of campus.
For more information about Greek life on campus, contact the Center for Student Activities at 49 Oakland Center or (248) 370-2400.