Alpha Sigma Phi comes to Utah State

A new fraternity will be calling Utah State University home next semester.

Founded in 1845 at Yale University, Alpha Sigma Phi has over 130 chapters in the U.S., Canada and Scotland. This will be the first chapter to come to Utah, and Matthew Weido — coordinator of expansion and growth for the national organization — believes that more will follow.

“This chapter is going to set the precedent for others that will eventually come into Utah, but we just want to make sure it’s a good strong chapter,” Weido said. “A little bit of — I don’t want to say more pressure — but we want to make sure that this is successful.”

‘A good fit’

“We’re looking to move the Greek system in a positive direction. Not that the others aren’t doing well, but we want to make sure … we’re moving in a different direction and moving away from stereotypes,” Weido said.

Weido said the organization chooses about 12 colleges per year to “colonize,” and it picked USU because the leaders want higher caliber universities. USU would be the first college in Utah to have the fraternity.

“I wouldn’t use the word ‘picky,’ but we’re just careful,” Weido said.

Starting a chapter typically takes two years. The organization made initial contact a year ago through Kevin Webb, the associate director of student involvement and leadership, to bring the fraternity to USU.

“We thought they were a good fit to our campus,” Webb said.

The process took work and time, Webb said, but there plenty of benefits to adding new fraternities on a campus.

“All the research and evidence shows that adding a new organization benefits the others,” he said.

After Alpha Sigma Phi made contact through Webb, the organization had to be approved through the InterFraternity Council, or IFC, the leadership group in charge of fraternities at USU.

“It’s not necessarily required, but it’s like getting our blessing,” said Oakman Kennedy, a member of Alpha Tao Omega and the vice president of recruitment for IFC.

The IFC was impressed by the fraternity’s age and national success statistics, and the members voted the fraternity in. Both the IFC and Webb said they are excited to have Alpha Sigma Phi at USU.

“We want people to be a part of the Greek community, not necessarily a specific house,” Kennedy said. “The more options available, the better.”

The Benchmarks

Alpha Sigma Phi is the 10th oldest fraternity in the nation, and its values are silence, charity, purity, honor and patriotism. The fraternity is in the middle of a six-week recruiting period which will end on Nov. 14.

Weido said he is looking for men who can be leaders, fraternity gentlemen and well-rounded, quality guys.

“Being Greek is just one piece of the pie,” he said. “You should be able to dabble in athletics or other college clubs … (being Greek) is part of you, sure, but you should be able to do everything else and a lot more as well.”

In order to operate, this chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi must meet certain benchmarks. Among other things, member must hold brotherhood meetings and social events, raise money for one of five charitable organizations, give community service, maintain a 2.70 GPA and participate in an intramural sport. Additionally, the chapter must recruit and have a budget.

“They’re operating like a company, basically,” Wiedo said.

The Founding Fathers

Anyone that joins the fraternity now would be considered a founding father and would keep the fraternity running after its initial setup by the national chapter. Over 14 men on campus have accepted bids to the fraternity so far.

Tyler Blackburn is a freshman studying to become a professional pilot. He accepted his bid on Monday.

“They truly uphold the statement of being a ‘gentleman’s fraternity,’” Blackburn said. “Another reason why I like Alpha Sigma Phi — we’re starting from the bottom. We get to make all the decisions.”

Alpha Sigma Phi is among the ten cheapest fraternities in the nation to join, with a one-time membership fee of $700. Blackburn said most of the new members are in the same financial boat — unable to afford the steeper membership fees other fraternities at USU charge each semester.

Senior Chris Vaughn — who accepted his bid on Monday, as well — said the challenge at USU will be to help people see the fraternity for what it is against a backdrop of other fraternities that “aren’t so bright.” Alpha Sigma Phi has not had any controversy associated with it, Weido said. Excepting one case at Clemson University, that is true.

“Recruiters and prospects — they all have to overcome with being a part of a fraternity is the social image that comes with it. Because most people associate fraternities with what they see in movies and TV shows. Alpha Sigma Phi simply is not those things,” Vaughn said.

Brandon Breach is a freshman majoring in international business. He was interested in joining the Greek community at USU and saw founding the USU chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi as a fun opportunity.

“As the founding fathers, we have a chance to get rid of the stereotypes,” he said.

Breach likes that the fraternity values education and encourages members to put school first.

“This is really an opportunity for individuals to create something of their own,” Weido said. “Some people may or may not have thought about going Greek but think they have negative stigmas or hazing, but this is the opportunity for people to come in and make this chapter what they want it to be.”

Those interested in Alpha Sigma Phi can contact Weido at mweido@alphasigmaphi.org.

— Amy Reid and Brenna Kelly contributed to this article.
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