To: The Clock staff and Plymouth State Community
The sisters of Delta Zeta sorority would like to express our concern on the repeated editorials and articles being written about the status of Greek Life.
First, we would like to explain the difference between recognized and unrecognized organizations. Recognized organizations, affiliated with our school, are required to follow all handbook policies. This includes: no hazing, no underage drinking, and we are able to participate in campus events such as Homecoming and Spring Fling. Unrecognized organizations are not responsible for mandated best practices, or organizational structure on the regional and national standards that are required of recognized organizations. They cannot participate as a group in campus events such as Homecoming and do not receive finances from the University and Senate Allocations. As you can see, the organizations that are not recognized are just that, not recognized as groups by our university.
Allow us to introduce you to our national organization. Delta Zeta was founded nationally in 1902 at Miami University, and was installed on the Plymouth State campus in 1972. There are 165 chapters total in the US, UK and Canada, and every chapter has the same values and regulations they must follow. Sisters must maintain a 2.5 GPA throughout their years as a student, they must complete 10 hours of community service each semester (20 each academic year), and they must also be involved and active in another recognized organization on campus. We are not allowed to associate alcohol, in any way, with our organization. We NEVER have alcohol at rushes and new member events. Our national purpose is community service, philanthropy, leadership, and academics. And these values are learned and explained in our national New Member education process, which is outlined by our National Department of Initiation.
Locally, we need the University’s recognition to maintain our status as a sorority. Without Plymouth State’s name on the charter, we do not exist. Although we would all still remain the best of friends, we are unable to sustain as an organization at Plymouth State University unrecognized.
We would like to reiterate that we do not associate with unrecognized organizations. We have a very responsible advisor who is active with our organization and participates supportively. We would never jeopardize our advisor’s trust or the University’s. We have a strong relationship with the school administration and, although it was not mentioned in The Clock’s move-in day article, we have been helping with move-in day for years from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., directing traffic and answering the questions of new students. We participate in the campus-wide clean up after Spring Fling and also have been active in all Homecoming events, along with Nicaragua Club, Anime Club, and many of the Residence Halls. Nationally, every chapter participates in the National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week. Our chapter had a table in the HUB for five days, passing out fliers of information. Locally, we sold calendars to raise money for the local section of Habitat for Humanity. We have raised money for many organizations: we participated in the Cancer Walk for the past two years, and also nationally we raise money for speech and hearing organizations such as Gallaudet University, House Ear Institute, and The Starkey Hearing Foundation, and also, The Painted Turtle (a camp for chronically ill children).
Speaking of money, it is a common misconception that we are paying for friendship. Our dues go to our national headquarters, which is a non-profit organization. The money given goes to the organizations listed above, and foundations and scholarships for our sorority and its members. The money we pay also goes to our national magazine, which we subscribe to for life the minute we become active members.
We would also like to bring attention to the effort a recently re-recognized organization showed. Tau Omega is a recognized sorority on campus and was re-recognized last school year, during the moratorium.
Our organization means so much to us. More than an organization that focuses on one common interest, we are able to have many interests and commonalities between sisters. We have spent many of our hours at Plymouth State organizing events and making our organization become what it has. We are proud of our current and alumna sisters for maintaining such strong and high morals, even through such bad publicity.
We are a part of Greek Life on our campus, but to us, Greek Life is recognized. We feel that the past few editorials and articles have pointed out what unrecognized organizations have done and are doing, but have failed to mention what great things the three recognized sororities are doing.
We are working closely with the administration to maintain our position and status as recognized organizations on campus. As stated above, Delta Zeta is very important to us. It’s more than just a group of women paying for each other’s time and friendship. We have all found a family away from home where we able to be ourselves, find comfort in times of need, build our self-esteem, and grow together. This is what Delta Zeta means to us, and we will continue to fight for it.
If you have any questions, concerns, suggestions, or would just like to get to know us, as women, better, don’t hesitate to seek us out. We wear our letters regularly because we are proud of what our organization stands for. Please don’t stereotype us before you understand what we represent.
Sincerely,
The Kappa Epsilon Chapter of Delta Zeta National Sorority