Alpha Sigma Kappa
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Alpha Sigma Kappa?

Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies is a social sorority for engineers, architects and scientists. Alpha Sigma Kappa was founded in 1989 to provide support to women with technical majors through friendship, academic support, and community service.

The Beta Chapter of Alpha Sigma Kappa is the only sorority of this type at OU.

Why should I join Alpha Sigma Kappa?

Each of our Sisters has a unique answer as to why she chose to join Alpha Sigma Kappa. But at the root of each of our answers is four concepts: Sisterhood, Academic Support, Social Activites, and Community Service. Through these concepts, Alpha Sigma Kappa provides a common bond of Sisterhood for women with similar majors and experiences that foster lifelong friendships. Because of the importance of this question, we want you to ask each Sister why they joined.

Why a sorority, rather than a club?

As a sorority, we bond through the traditions of our Sisterhood. These bonds last beyond our college years.

What type of sorority is Alpha Sigma Kappa?

We are considered a social sorority. We host several social activites each year including the Welcome to Science an Engineering Party (co-hosted with Triangle Fraternity), and our annual Masqurade Ball. We also have movie nights, game nights and monthly Sisterhood dinners which are scattered throughout each semester to give us a break from our school work.

Are you members of the National Panhellenic Council (NPC)?

No. Our Chapter, however, is a part of the Independent Greek Council (IGC).

Do I need to register for formal recruitment to join?

No, since we're not a part of NPC we do not see that information, and we hold our own informal rush. All we ask is that you come to at least 3 of our recruitment events.

What about my GPA?

We ask that all members keep above a 2.0 GPA, our chapter average is generally around 3.0 or better. If a member drops below a 2.0 we ask them to take a break and get back on track academically. (This organization is not intended to be a hinderence!)

What majors are accepted?

See the list of acceptable majors {here}, if you are still not sure you qualify see the bottom of that list or ask us!

Are graduate students allowed to join?

Absolutely!

How much are dues?

As a new member, you pay a one-time Candidate fee of $155. After that, chapter dues are $195 a semester, payable by the semester or by the month.

What do dues cover?

Chapter dues cover a major portion of costs of our activities, our national dues and part of the cost for chapter delegates to attend the National Convention. Initiation fees for the Candidate and Active ceremonies cover the costs of supplies used during the ceremonies and your member handbook.

What kinds of activities does Alpha Sigma Kappa do?

Social activities include hosting dances and picnics, holding game nights and movie nights, attending OU sporting events and theater performances, going bowling, and eating out. Study nights and help sessions are examples of our scholastic activities. For charity, Alpha Sigma Kappa has conducted canned food and clothing drives, and has worked volunteer hours for numerous activities both on campus and off. We also work to support our National Philanthropy DonorsChoose.org.

What does recruitment involve?

The recruitment process is a chance for you to get to know our Sisters and our Sisterhood, and then decide if you want to join. Coming to our recruitment events does not mean an obligation to join.
Our chapter conducts an informal recruitment twice a year during the first 3-4 weeks of a semester. Different events are scheduled through the week. Activities include social events, study nights, and weekly open meetings. As our guest, you are encouraged to attend as many events as you can. If you wish to receive an invitation to join Alpha Sigma Kappa, you will need to attend a minimum of 3 events during recruitment to be considered for an invitational bid.

How do I join?

New members go through a Candidate period that lasts for eight weeks. To become a Candidate, you must participate in our Recruitment Process, be working towards a technical degree (undergraduate OR graduate), have a 2.0 or greater GPA, and be given an invitation. If you accept the invitation to join, you then go through the Candidate Ceremony.
For a minimum of five weeks, Candidates attend weekly, one-hour seminars that help to familiarize you with Alpha Sigma Kappa, our bylaws, and our policies. You start building relationships with Sisters in your Candidate class, and with the Active Sisters. As a Candidate, you are also expected to attend the weekly open meetings and some events. Finally, you will go through the Initiation Ceremony. After that, you are considered an initiated Sister, and an Active member of the Beta Chapter.

What kind of commitments can I expect?

Time wise - the beginning of each semester you can expect to spend 3-7 hrs a week, and after rush generally 2-5hrs a week.

Event wise - this largely depends on how many you can attend, but we do require Active members to attend all meetings. (And as many recruitment events as possible)

Is Alpha Sigma Kappa involved with other technical organizations on campus?

Individual Sisters of Alpha Sigma Kappa are (or have been) Active members and officers in professional organizations, social organizations, and honor societies, such as the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), American Institue of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American Chemical Society, Association of Women Geoscientists (AWG), Engineers' Club (E-Club), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Pick and Hammer Club, OU Student Chapter of the American Meteorlogical Society (OUSCAMS), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Society of Physics Students (SPS), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Tau Beta Pi, and many more.

As an organization, Alpha Sigma Kappa participates in several joint events with the Triangle Fraternity, including the Welcome to Science and Engineering Parties held each semester. Alpha Sigma Kappa also has a seat on the Engineers Club's St. Pat's Council. Alpha Sigma Kappa volunteers time at E-Club's Football Hamburger Feed's, and E-Club's Engineering Open House.

Does Alpha Sigma Kappa have a house?

No. While we do not have a house, Sisters have been known to share dorm rooms, rent apartments together, and coordinate dorm room assignments in the same housing area. A housing fund has been set up (through the Alumnae chapter) to assist with leasing or purchasing a future house.

Does Alpha Sigma Kappa haze?

No. Alpha Sigma Kappa neither tolerates nor condones any practice or form of hazing towards recruitment guests, Candidates, Actives or Alumnae. Our Sisterhood is built on mutual trust, respect and friendship.

Who may I contact with more questions?

Any of our Sisters can assist you with your questions. We have developed a {contact page} to better help direct your questions. For questions about our recriutment process, you may contact our *Vice President - Recruitment*.