ASA turns to Leadership Institute

The Leadership Institute at Central Michigan University may help shape the university’s Greek community.

Leadership Institute Director Dykstra Heinze said he is encouraging Leader Advancement Scholar women to join Alpha Sigma Alpha social sorority.

The sorority has about 23 members, said Tom Idema, assistant director of Student Life and Greek Life director. The sorority quota is 61 members. Most of the 11 other sororities met or exceeded the total this year during formal recruitment.

“Women from the Leadership Institute are the type of women you want in a sorority,” Idema said.

Idema said he cannot explain why ASA has such lower numbers, but the size of the sorority will not cause the chapter to close.

Recruiting from the Leadership Institute has been successful in the past.

Idema said the Leadership Institute has provided very good leaders and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, which was born out of the Leadership Institute, is an example.

“(The fraternity) has been focused on leadership, academics and community service,” Heinze said. “Sigma Alpha Epsilon has promoted a positive image of Greek Life.”

Heinze said the biggest difference is that ASA is already established on campus.

“I don’t know if there is any immediate commitment, but there is interest,” Heinze said.

He said a national representative from ASA spoke to more than 20 LAS women about the sorority. Some women will pursue their interest, Heinze said, and visit the ASA house and meet its members.

Heinze said ASA’s president, Grosse Pointe senior Blair Cotter, is supportive and open to the possibility of recruiting LAS women.

ASA is receiving help from the entire Greek community as well.

“There is a good collective effort from everyone in Greek Life to give Alpha Sigma Alpha a look,” Idema said.

National Panhellenic Council President Sara Seckel said most sororities on campus are helping Alpha Sigma Alpha talk to women and encourage them to join.

“There are women who are unsure where to go. We are encouraging them to take a look at Alpha Sigma Alpha,” the Troy senior said. “If they want to go Greek, right now that means ASA.”

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