After restructuring its organization, Bringing Sisters Together wishes to unify the Asian American population at SMU by becoming an Asian-interest sorority.

Bringing Sisters Together was founded in January 2002 by Ann Chao, a sophomore business major, who had the idea for it over the previous winter break. The group was formed and started holding regular meetings when it decided it was ready to become a sorority.

For the group to become a sorority, it must first prove to the Multicultural Greek Council that it is a strong organization apart from the fact that it wants to become a sorority. Then the group could begin to look at specific sororities and invite them to the campus. Finally, the council makes a recommendation as to which sorority would be best suited for that particular group of girls.

Bringing Sisters Together was formed and tried to get approval from council, only to be denied.

“I think we were just rushing into it too quickly,” said Chao, who acts as president of the group. “Now that I look back, I know that we weren’t strong enough … we hadn’t been on campus but three months.”

The group has been working diligently this year to prove to the council that it is ready to become a sorority.

Earlier this month the members held a car wash raising almost $400. During fall break they held a girls night out. Their next event will be a date auction on Nov. 22. They hope to expand the group, not only to the SMU community, but to neighboring universities as well. They are inviting the University of North Texas, TCU and the University of Texas at Arlington to participate.

Chao also said that by adding an Asian-interest sorority to campus, the university could increase the minority retention rate and help with minority recruitment.

“Asian students would be happier and feel more connected to campus,” she said.

Diana Quach, a first-year business major aand vice president of external relations for the group, thinks that SMU would benefit greatly from an Asian-interest sorority.

“I think it would make our university a little bit more diverse and it probably would recruit more minority students,” Quach said. ” I think this would be a good beginning.”

The group is working primarily on forming a strong group, bonding and building leadership. It is researching Asian-interest sororities on other campuses such as Alpha Kappa Delta Phi and Sigma Phi Omega. It is also getting ready for its second try at the interview process, which will begin early next semester.

Michelle Espino, coordinator of student programs and adviser to the MGC, said if the organization meets even the minimum requirement she doesn’t see why they wouldn’t be approved.

“Bringing in an Asian-interest sorority would capture a group of people who just want to build more awareness of Asian issues and help service that specific community within Dallas that we haven’t been able to reach,” Espino said.

For more information on the group, contact Ann Chao at [email protected] or [email protected].