In the fall of 1996 four Muskingum women, Holly Northcraft, Denise Gabor, Heather Kubli, and Laura Oliver came together with visions of starting a new sorority on campus. Exchanging ideas and brainstorming ways to achieve their goal, the women decided to call a meeting to establish a group that would make this dream a reality. On September 9, 1996, an informational meeting was held in Finney Lobby. Those who gathered supported the goals and ideas of the original four women. A candlelight commitment service held on October 1st of that year, and the women became an interest group called S.C.A.M.
Lori White Scott, a representative from the national office of Alpha Sigma Alpha, delivered enthusiastic presentations on March 9th & 10th , 1997 where she showed these woman why it was great to be an Alpha Sig! The decision was clear. S.C.A.M. members voted unanimously and chose to affiliate with Alpha Sigma Alpha. Alpha Sigma Alpha responded back to the women with a "yes" vote on March 18, 1997. The woman were jubilant!
Shannon Buscetti, national representative, arrived at Muskingum on April 10th to help them get started and she lead them through their first Phoenix Ceremony on April 12, 1997. The new members of ASA had many things to keep them busy as a colony. That year they participated in the Greek week (placing second overall), attended weekly greek council meetings, and in the spring participated in their first formal rush where they recruited twenty- three new members, bringing the total up to fifty- three! On March 28, 1998 the Muskingum Colony of Alpha Sigma Alpha was installed as the Zeta Omicron Chapter!