The world’s largest African-American sorority, Delta Sigma Theta celebrates its 98th anniversary today. Founded in 1913 at Howard University, the organization now has over 200,000 members and more than 900 chapters around the world.

Delta Sigma Theta is founded on the principles of promoting education and performing community service. The first Delta Sigma Theta sisters participated in the Women’s Suffrage March in Washington D.C. that year.

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Almetris Duren Hall Dormitory

It’s not unusual for colleges for freshmen to drink too much in the first few weeks at college, but is pledging leading students to drink dangerously? This week, two young women at the University of Texas were hospitalized for alcohol poisoning after a sorority pledging event.

One girl was found foaming at the mouth in the shower by her roommate. The other was discovered unconscious on the bathroom floor of the Almetris Duren Hall dorm. Both girls were hospitalized. “When freshmen get here, they kind of go a little crazy and you often times find people passed out or stumbling drunk,” said one University of Texas senior.

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It is often said about Greek Life that “from the outside looking in, you could never understand it, and from the inside looking out, we could never explain it.”

Well, here is my effort to explain and counter-argue some of the stereotypes plaguing fraternity and sororities across the nation.

Stereotype: Joining a Greek organization inhibits academic performance

Most fraternities and sororities consistently stay above the average grade point average of their college’s students. Also, at most campuses, notable public speakers are invited to discuss the importance of academic excellence, effective study habits and essentials to achieving scholastic success. Additionally, retreats are often offered for all undergraduate members along with numerous leadership conferences and conventions. Each chapter is also required to have a scholarship and new member education chairperson responsible for ensuring academic success, like study hour logging programs, academic accountability partners, and scholarship programs to aid in academic performance. Read the rest of this entry »

It is widely known that Chi Omega is the largest sorority in America, as people regularly comment that one out of every five Greek women are a member of the sorority represented by owls, carnation red and straw.

Founded in 1895 at the University of Arkansas there are six purposes of the sorority: friendship, high standards of personnel, sincere learning and credible scholarship, participation in campus activities, career and personal development and community service.

This past weekend the ladies of Chi Omega came together for Chi Omega’s 58th Biennial Convention at the JW Marriot Grande Lakes Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Those in attendance from each collegiate chapter were the president, treasurer, personnel advisor, financial advisor, and the housing advisor, as well as alumnae members and their guests.

Alumnae, advisors and collegians attended academic, philanthropic and leadership workshops, group meals, meetings and events that cultivated friendships. There were also awards banquets and receptions to honor those who made exceptional contributions to Chi Omega’s national philanthropy, the Make a Wish Foundation. Additionally, attendees also had the opportunity to partake in the Owl Trot, a run/walk to benefit the Chi Omega Foundation’s Owl Tree.

Those in attendance said the convention was wonderful and proved to further strengthen Chi Omega’s commitment to personal integrity, excellence in academic and intellectual pursuits, inter-generational participation, community service, leadership opportunities and social enrichment.

Greeks Don't Always Fit the Sterotype

There are many myths about fraternities and sororities: All frat boys are jocks who drink too much. Sorority girls are spoiled little princesses who don’t know how to work.

These are not true! It’s not fair to stereotype such a large group of people.

The Greek system has millions of members across the country. So, for your viewing pleasure, here are some of the most common myths and legends about Greek life.

Myth: Going Greek will lower my GPA.

Fact: Actually, that’s not necessarily true. Sure, Greeks do have a lot of social activities, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to study and your grades will fall. In fact, at many schools, Greek students have higher GPAs on average than non-Greek students.

Myth: You have to drink to be Greek.

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Each fall sororities across the nation usher in a new class of sisters, thus furthering their rich traditions. Sororities offer young college women more than a social outlet, but academic support, networking, leadership and more.

Here we’ve listed some of the famous or celebrity members of many popular sororities, women who started just as any other sister and rose to become great authors, singers, politicians, authors or artists.

Alpha Chi Omega

• Condoleeza Rice – Former Secretary of State
• Trista Rehn – Bachelorette

Alpha Delta Pi

• Danika McKellar – “Winnie” on Wonder Years
• Nancy Grace – CNN Journalist Read the rest of this entry »

Entering the Greek system and joining a sorority is a rite of passage for many college women, whether continuing a family legacy or creating a lifestyle that promotes friendship, academic accountability and socializing.

Don’t take the decision lightly though. Everything from determining if sorority life is ideal for you to choosing a house in which you’ll fit are important points to consider. This guide can provide some insight from sorority alumni on getting through sorority rush (the recruitment week), determining which house is best for you, and even leave you with some questions you’ll need to answer.

One of the first things you should do is determine if being a part of a sorority is the best choice for you. And that’s a decision only you can make. Read the rest of this entry »

There’s obviously been a lot of passionate commentary posted here. We won’t disagree that the sororal community is one that is strong. When this article was first created nearly two years ago, it was done so as a way to capture all of our sorority profiles in one place (and at that time, we’d, admittedly, only completely ten), it was never meant to place one above another or diminish the value of another. Although, we recognize, the headline says otherwise. Since that time we’ve written, to the best of our knowledge, profiles on most, if not all, of the major collegiate sorority organizations in the U.S. You can find those here.

The list of ten presented here is in alphabetical order, again, in no way meant to give preference.

Being a part of a Greek organization is often the first order of business for life on campus for college freshman. Typically a rush week just prior or at the start of the fall semester makes it possible for women to visit each sorority house on campus, before an invitation is extended to join one house or another. These sororities can be a major part of a student’s college career, being a source of social activies, cultivating relationships and keeping students accountable for their academic performance.

Ten sororities stand out as some of the oldest, largest and most popular Greek organizations for women. Learn more about their histories, philanthropic efforts, traditions and even celebrity alumnae.

Alpha Chi Omega

Founded 1885 on the Depauw University campus in Greencastle, IN by the dean of the music school, in an effort to cultivate a music culture for women. The Alpha Chis support charities for domestic violence, and famous alumnae include former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and Bachelorette Trista Rehn Sutter.

Alpha Phi

Alpha Phi was the fourth Greek organization ever founded for women, in 1872 at Syracuse University. The sorority promotes sisterhood and character with philanthropic efforts focused on cardiac care and research. Famous alumnae include actress Jeri Ryan and Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey. Read the rest of this entry »

It was announced that the Delta Beta chapter of the Delta Delta Delta women’s fraternity will be closing its doors at Miami University in Ohio, with no opportunity to return until 2011. According to a story published on the fraternity’s national site, reports of hazing were made in early February and the organization worked closely with university officials to conduct a thorough investigation. They soon concluded that the hazing incident was against both Miami Student Code of Conduct and Tri Delta policy.

“We are deeply disappointed in the choices made by several members of our chapter at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio last month,” said Jackye Clark, President of Delta Delta Delta Fraternity. “This decision is made with a heavy heart, as our chapter at Miami University has enjoyed an uninterrupted 98-year span and positive track record with its host institution until now.”

Those members violating Tri Delta conduct policy face permanent removal from the organization, and those in good-standing may opt to become an unaffiliated collegiate member.