"Delta Gamma’s Charter Revoked"
Concordiensis' April 20, 2000 cover article
by Jessica Brearton, Staff Writer

After twenty-two years as an active sorority at Union College, Delta Gamma will be shutting its doors at the end of the academic year due to a decision handed down by the sorority’s national organization.

The twenty-four members of Delta Gamma were informed of this decision on April 7. The sisters initially appealed, but the decision was upheld by the national organization.

Explaining the decision, Sophomore Delta Gamma President Erin Connolly said, "Right now its just a matter of [being] too small." The sorority’s twenty-four sisters include ten graduating seniors, which would leave the chapter with a membership of fourteen for the next academic year. Looking at these numbers, the national organization came to the conclusion that the atmosphere at Union College simply wasn’t right for a continued Delta Gamma presence to be viable.

Furthermore, the national committee concluded that the burden of running the sorority would be too great on the relatively small number of members, especially with the forthcoming introduction of Sophomore Rush.

Erin Connolly was quick to explain that Delta Gamma is fully in favor of Greek life at Union, as well as the coming changes to it. The sorority has a zero-tolerance policy for hazing, and supports both dry fraternities and Sophomore Rush. Neither the national organization nor the sisters of Union’s chapter have any negative feelings toward the college itself. Many members of the national organization are or have been affiliated with Union College, and think it a wonderful place.

The decision was simply based on the fact that the small size of the sorority would put what the national organization felt was too much pressure on the members of Delta Gamma. The sisters were understandably upset at the decision, but have been able to understand the rationale behind it. It was only after careful consideration, with a great deal of sadness, that the decision was made.

Dean of Students Fred Alford expressed sadness over the turn of events, saying that Delta Gamma was a "good, noble organization and we will all be a little bit reduced not having them." He felt that they were going out with a great deal of dignity and grace, and that he found their letter in last weeks’ Concordiensis "very touching."

The logistical question of housing is one that is currently being dealt with. A call was put out to the campus community announcing the availability of the housing last week, and Dean Alford revealed that the office was being deluged with applications for the space.

As for the current members of Delta Gamma, many of those not graduating have obtained housing on Seward Avenue for next year, so that although they will not be living in the same house, they will still be close to each other. Connolly explained that this change of venue would not change the bonds that have formed between the sisters as members of Delta Gamma.

The membership is a lifelong one, so the members will still experience the benefits of being a member of the sorority, though they will become alumnae earlier than usual.

Their main sorrow is their inability to offer Delta Gamma as an organization to future Union College students, though there is a possibility of the national organization opening up another chapter at the college five or ten years from now.

For the sisters that are members now, the bonds will not be broken due to the loss of the charter, for, as Connolly stated, We lost our charter but we did not lose each other. To us, its just a piece of paper."