Staff Writer
The addition to Delta Sigma Theta, an African American sorority, has rendered SU’s Divine Nine presence greater in April 2014.
The Divine Nine is a series of nine African American fraternities and sororities that have been in place since the early 1900s.
Five fraternities and four sororities make up the group including Iota Phi Theta, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho as well as those represent at SU which are Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta.
Twenty-five members make up the new sorority, but getting the organization on campus was not an overnight process, said Sara Lowery, Coordinator of Student Life.
“I’m excited. Any time we add to our family it’s good, that’s what’s important to me,” Lowery said. “We’re heavily women dominant here, and this gives them one more option to be a part of something while they’re in college.”
Delta Sigma Theta, along with the other fraternities and sororities, will have various responsibilities to fulfill. Part of the university’s Greek Life mission statement includes developing community and philanthropic outreach, maximizing leadership potential and maintaining the self-development of each member.
The organizations also participate in an event known as Greek Week. This weeklong event pits fraternities and sororities against each other in various events like karaoke, flag football and banner competitions. An awards ceremony and barbeque concludes the week’s festivities.
A member of Sigma Pi, freshman Dan Burkoski said he thinks the addition of a new sorority is great for the campus community.
“SU’s Greek life is a welcoming group of organizations that offers a place for all SU students to fit in and feel one with the community,” Burkoski said. “I believe a new African American sorority is a great addition to Greek life.”
Although it is an African American sorority, members of all ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to join any fraternity or sorority they wish. At SU, many Greek life chapters have members of Caucasian, African, Hispanic and Middle Eastern descent.
Like Burkoski, senior Tyler Post said the move takes every student’s aspirations into consideration.
“It’s a good thing that there is a strictly African American sorority coming to SU if, for some reason, any African American students felt left out of Greek life in any way,” he said. “There isn’t any reason anyone of a certain race should be excluded.”
Delta Sigma Theta will be expected to maintain and demonstrate the same set of principles and values that other organizations have to.
“I hold all Greeks to the same standard of holding true to their code of conduct and making sure they’re consistent with what their missions of sisterhood, brotherhood and friendship,” said Lowery. “When they fall short, we correct them.”
The next move for the university will be focusing on bringing a Latino sorority to campus, giving more opportunities to students wanting to get involved in Greek culture.