by Naquela Kirk

This fall, Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham plans to expand by adding a national sorority that will continue to foster belonging and opportunities for campus involvement by students. The university last welcomed Alpha Sigma Phi, a member of the Interfraternity Council, as a new organization in the fall of 2019.

The new sorority will be under the Multicultural Greek Council umbrella, with a focus on Asian women. UAB’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion describes an Asian person as “having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.” In fall 2022, UAB enrolled 1,066 undergraduate students who identified as Asian, with 643 of them being women.

“Our Multicultural Greek Council members evaluated the organizations within the council and identified a need to serve our Asian-identified students who are not currently represented within FSL,” said Stacy Rowan, assistant director for Fraternity and Sorority Life. “We are committed to growth and are excited to support this new expansion.”

During the first week of the fall semester, members from the national organization will hold events seeking membership in the first Asian-interest sorority at the university. Virtual events with the organization will follow during the second week of classes. Membership is encouraged regardless of cultural identity, and the sorority does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, age, national origin, or sexual orientation.

UAB is home to a diverse group of sororities and fraternities that help students find community during their time at UAB. These organizations focus on five Pillars of Excellence: education, philanthropy and service, community, leadership, and prevention.

Students who are interested or would like more information about the Asian-interest sorority can follow FSL on Instagram or email fsl@uab.edu.