PSC Chapter of ASA

[DaffodilDarling]

I know I'm not a member of ASA, but I thought I should share with you what is happening on my campus.




Alpha Sigma Alpha Coming Back After Seventeen Women Left

By Robert Masse
PLYMOUTH, NH — The Plymouth State College chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha (ASA) suffered severe losses recently when three of its members were terminated and several others left for personal reasons. Former members Amy Basso, Nicole Dalton and Olivia Lucca were terminated by the National Headquarters after possessing alcohol while the chapter was on probation. Fourteen other members self terminated following personal interviews with national representatives that questioned their commitment to the organization bringing member numbers from twenty-five down to eight active, on-campus women.

The chapter went on probation during the 2001-2002 school year for a hazing incident where a few members organized a scavenger hunt without the consent of the whole organization. While on probation the sorority is not allowed to possess alcohol. During a recruitment event preceding Winterim, the women in apartment #140, an apartment designated for ASA, were caught by the chapter parliamentarian with alcoholic beverages in their refrigerator.

According to Becky Predko, a long standing and current member of ASA, the group’s bylaws say that "you have twenty-four hours to get the alcohol to get the apartment." The women in question were reminded of this policy at a meeting where the incident was discussed and sanctions given out to stay in line with their standards practices.

According to Predko, "that sort of violation can result in termination. Our standards board chose not to make that decision and chose to give [the women] individual sanctions."

Following that decision, the ASA National Headquarters stepped in to hold an entire membership review. Representatives came to campus on the weekend of March 8 and 9 to conduct interviews with the twenty-five chapter members about matters such as personal values and commitment to the sorority. Some of the questions asked were "why are you in this organization? And, why did you want to be an ASA sister?"

Once the interviews were completed letters were sent to each individual in the PSC chapter letting the women know of their standing. Basso, Dalton and Lucca received letters saying they were terminated from the organization, while some others were given probationary sanctions. Not all the girls received bad news. "There are a bunch of us still on good status," said Predko, "we always have been. They want us to retain our membership."

Last Monday, March 24, the remaining members held a meeting to discuss what had happened following the visit by the National Headquarters. "There were a lot of angry people," said Predko. "They were more angry toward our National Headquarters and how they were treated and things that had been said to them. They were torn apart as people. [They felt] that nationals didn’t come in to help the chapter, but to basically rip it apart."

After harboring such negative feelings, several of the sisters were contemplating self termination. All but one new member, one sophomore and six seniors decided to leave the organization, some out of support for the previously removed members, others for more personal reasons.

"Everyone is hurting right now," said Pam Wells, ASA’s chapter advisor and a national representative who was a founder of the chapter in 1992.

There was some concern about the future of the organization with the drastic decrease in numbers, but after a recruitment event on Tuesday night, things are looking brighter. "We’re really looking at this as a great development opportunity and a recruitment opportunity," said Wells.

There has been some talk around campus about the chapter closing, but if recruitment continues to go well the organization will stay in good standing. If for some reason it does close, everything in the chapter’s account goes into an escrow account until a new ASA chapter starts on campus.

According to the remaining members, that doesn’t even seem like a possibility. "We’re still a chapter at Plymouth State," said Predko. "Plymouth State still considers us a chapter. We are actually in what is called the reorganization or colonization process, which allows us to work things a little bit differently. We’re all one chapter working to figure out what we’re doing."

Some of the women terminated or self-terminated from the chapter have been considering starting a new sorority on campus, but according to Tracey Massey, a program advisor working in Student Activities and Greek Life, that’s not possible. Once a person becomes a member of one national organization, like ASA, they cannot join another one of the same sort. The opportunity of starting a locally sponsored sorority was considered, but Plymouth State College does not recognize local chapters, only national organizations.

As for the current chapter, they plan to keep working on making ASA a strong sorority and student organization ."We’re going to work on recruitment," said Wells. "We had a great event [Tuesday night] and we’re just going to rebuild the group. We’re going to be very intentional in our recruitment. Really look for women that fit the core values of ASA."

Massey explained that although many people in leadership positions within the organization were terminated or self-terminated the organization and its support staff are fully confident of its continued viability. "We are fully supportive of the reorganization efforts of ASA and stand behind them one hundred percent."

[33girl]

DD,

Thanks for keeping us posted. If you hear any more, please keep me up to date (PM or email me if you'd rather).

What is that about though - that one girl saying that PSC doesn't recognize locals? Your group's local - aren't you recognized?

[AlphaFrog]

Ok, I know this has nothing to do with this topic, but this upsets me greatly.

How can their chapter who was put on probation, got caught, and lost all but 8 members still be active??? I'm sorry, I love my sisters everywhere and I don't want ANY chapters to close (it's hell, trust me) and I'll admit that I'm bitter and jealous. But they closed my chapter for having 30 members. What the $^@% is National thinking???


Sorry, I'm better now, just venting.

[33girl]

Jess -

I think they are going to try to see if they can recolonize it because the biggest sorority only has like 25 people. 6 out of the 8 left are seniors though, so they'd better get cracking.

[DaffodilDarling]

My sorority *is* recognized.
Tracey is the greek life advisor.
Her quote could be a mistake, or a misunderstanding but, it appears to many of us that she wants to rid the campus of locals. There is "law" saying that no new locals are allowed. My sorority, along with IDX are grandfathered into the greek system. **thank heavens!**


Next time I see her, I'm going to confront her on that. Then again, the campus newspaper is primarily anti-greek, so it could have been something that the writer did. Probably not, though.

[EagleChick19]

Tracie (the Greek Advisor at Plymouth State) is also a GC poster. You can PM her about the situation at: TriSigmaTX.