Alpha Sigma Kappa
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Alpha Sigma Kappa?

Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies is a 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.

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 have explored in more detail the answer here.

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.

Is Alpha Sigma Kappa considered a social sorority?

Yes. We host several social activites each year including the Welcome to Science an Engineering Party (co-hosted with Triangle Fraternity),and our Masqurade Ball (Fall semester). Movie nights, game nights and sisterhood dinners are scattered throughout a semester to give us a break from our school work.

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

No. Since we are a young sorority, our National Organization does not yet fulfill the requirements to petition for membership in the National Panhellenic Council. Our chapter,however, does maintain communication with the University of Oklahoma's Panhellenic Council.

How much are dues?

Chapter dues are $75 a semester, payable by the semester or by the month. Each sister pays National dues of $18 per year. Sisters are also required to pay a one-time candidate fee of $60. Our dues are kept low through the active participation in fundraisers such as car washes and working at E-Club's hamburger feeds during home football games.

What do dues cover?

Chapter dues cover a major portion of costs of our activities, 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 sports 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 activities such as Engineering Open House, Fall Engineering Festival, and Geoscience Days.

What does rush involve?

Rush is a chance for you to get to know our sisters and our sisterhood. Our chapter conducts an informal rush twice a year during the first 3 weeks of a semester. Different events are scheduled through the week. Activities include social events, study nights, and weekly open meetings. As our guests, you are encouraged to attend as many events as you can. If you wish to pledge Alpha Sigma Kappa, you will need to attend a minimum of 3 events during Rush.

How do I become a candidate?

To become a candidate, you must participate in our Rush Process, be studying for a technical degree, have a 2.0 or greater GPA, and pay the candidate ceremony fee. After that, you only have to go through an interview and the Candidate Ceremony.

How do I become an active?

Candidate status lasts for one semester as you go through candidate education. This includes 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.

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

Individual sisters of Alpha Sigma Kappa are 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, Engineers' Club (E-Club), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Pick and Hammer Club, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Society of Physics Students (SPS), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and Tau Beta Pi.

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.

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 rush process, you may contact our Vice President - Rush.

Does Alpha Sigma Kappa have a house?

No. While we don't 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 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 rush guests, candidates, actives or alumnae. Our Sisterhood is built on mutual trust, respect and friendship.