New fraternity, sorority come to campus
Interest in Greek Life increasing at ASU
by Jourdan Rassas
published on 2005-02-09
http://www.statepress.com/issues/2005/02/09/news/691885
Greek Life at ASU expanded this semester with the addition of sorority Delta Zeta and fraternity Sigma Alpha Mu, which were added to accommodate the increased number of students interested in the Greek community.
"There have been an increased number of women interested in Panhellenic sororities over the past five or six years, so another sorority was brought on," said Lara Klinkner, Greek Life Student Activity adviser.
Delta Zeta, the second-largest national sorority, started its operations this week on campus, said Kathi Heatherly, national director of extension for the Delta Zeta National Council.
"I think ASU is ready for a new sorority because numbers are so good for interest [in Greek Life]. We have always wanted to have a chapter at ASU," Heatherly said. "We think we are a good fit because Delta Zeta offers women another opportunity to get involved in the Greek community."
According to Delta Zeta's national Web site,
www.deltazeta.org, the mission of the sorority is to "advance the sorority's educational and philanthropic purposes through the development of financial and human resources in support of the sorority's leadership, scholarship, philanthropic and educational programs."
Delta Zeta members will have housing available in the Adelphi Commons on Apache Boulevard as soon as the University says it's ready, Heatherly said.
Sigma Alpha Mu, known across the country as Sammy, wanted to expand to ASU because it has several alumni in the area, Klinkner said.
Sammy is a predominately Jewish fraternity. It has strong associations with Hillel and Chabad, the two non-Greek Jewish organizations on the ASU campus.
The fraternity is historically Jewish, which means that men of any religious belief can join.
"We have a reputation of excellence in both academics and community service. We furthermore plan to create one of the most outstanding social fraternities on the ASU campus," said Jarred F. Elias, Sigma Alpha Mu president and communication junior.
"I'm looking forward to hanging out with great men and continuing to build and watch this thing [fraternity] grow that I helped make," said Kenneth M. Rotter, Sammy member and finance, accounting and philosophy sophomore.
"We are a new fraternity, so whoever joins can shape it to be what they want it to be," Elias said.
The fraternity's housing situation has not been determined yet, but they have expressed interest in the Adelphi complex and plan on building a house on or close to campus in the near future, Elias said.
"I am thrilled that Sigma Alpha Mu and Delta Zeta have joined the Greek community," Klinkner said, "They are outstanding organizations who will contribute a great deal to the ASU community."
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