Campus Press

Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: News

Sigma Psi Zeta, Colorado's only Asian sorority, kicks off another night of its two-week rush process Sept. 19 in Muenzinger. President Thao Vo, a junior history and integrative physiology major, and Patrcia Leung, a freshman pre-communication major, organized a fun night of games and blended mocha drinks to get to know new girls. (CP Photo/Amanda Bernaudo)

Sigma Psi Zeta is the first and only multicultural Asian-interest sorority in Colorado. Developed on campus in April 2004, the sorority sisters have been hard at work in the Boulder community to combat violence against women ever since.

The Sigma girls don't live in a house together, like a typical sorority. The 24 girls involved meet once a week and perform community service projects throughout the year.

"The fact that we are a multicultural sorority just means that we have a different focus than (Panhellenic) sororities," said Laila Nguyen, a sophomore economics major involved with the sorority since last year.

Three years ago, a group of seven girls started creating the sorority. They held fundraisers, as well as rushed and pledged at the same time.

"We started the sorority because we have Latino sororities, as well as African-American sororities on campus and we thought there should be an Asian focus," said Ying Chung, a fifth-year senior sociology major and one of the founders of the sorority.

Every year the girls of Sigma campaign to end violence for women. This fall they are involved with the International Purple Ribbon Project.

They also volunteer through the Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Non-Violence, as well as rally to end sexual violence through the Take Back the Night campaign.

Along with all of their efforts to prevent and end violence, the sorority tries to do something different every semester to contribute to the community.

"In the past we've worked with the Good Samaritan Health Care Center, Denver Rescue Mission and we do security for the Bolder Boulder each year," Chung said.

The sorority also holds numerous cultural events throughout the year. They hold a cultural bingo night, an international food night and movie showings for students to learn more about Asian culture.

"My favorite thing is being able to connect with girls that have the same interest and goals as me," Nguyen said.

Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Renee Shure at renee.shure@colorado.edu

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