rismail@herald-leader.com

I think that she would love to hear Educated rebuttals to her article. I think that this "little" town is growing in both understanding and culture.

You can also reach the newspaper at H-L

Greek letters, Islamic principles
UK students aim to found first chapter
By: Sean Rose
Issue date: 11/29/05 Section: Campus News
The Kentucky Kernel

The first chapter of the Muslim sorority Gamma Gamma Chi could be on UK's campus by late February said the sorority's founder and president Althia Collins.

Created last spring by Collins and her daughter Imani Abdul-Haqq, the only Muslim sorority in the country has been looking for schools with interest in having the first campus chapter. The national founding chapter is based in Alexandria, Va.

"What will determine who is first will be the level of interest we've seen," Collins said.

Along with UK, Collins said the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Maryland at College Park have shown strong interest.

Secondary education junior Boushra Aghil said she thought the sorority would be an extension of the Muslim community in a college setting.

"We're trying to find a way to unite our Muslim sisters and work for a better community," Aghil said. "We're basically bringing together the best of the east and the best of the west."

Collins said her daughter came up with idea for the sorority when she was interested in joining a sorority but didn't want to join a Christian-based sorority with a typical Greek social life.

Gamma Gamma Chi is open to both Muslim and non-Muslim women who exhibit the six pillars of the sorority, which include Islamic awareness and involvement as well as social awareness and involvement.

"A lot of people don't really know what our religion is about," said pre-pharmacy junior Sundus Elgumati. "This gives them an idea of what we're about."

Elgumati contacted Collins with interest in starting a UK chapter and Collins visited UK on Nov. 6 for a "Gold Presentation," the sorority's version of rush week. Going to the Gold Presentation was required to apply for membership in the sorority and Collins said it was a heartening experience.

"The enthusiasm was obvious and the chemistry was great," Collins said. "They came together and it was just a great opportunity to get to know each other."

There are no promises that any of the students will have a sorority however. There is a Jan. 10 deadline for membership applications and the women interested are currently trying to rally as much interest in the sorority as possible.

Originally, Collins said there needed to be 15 to 20 members for the chapter to open. Collins said the number had been lowered to roughly 10. Elgumati and Aghil estimated there are at least five girls who know they want to join.

"The interest is there," Aghil said. "But right now it's such an untouched subject many don't know what will come from this."

Susan West, UK dean of sororities, said it was important for sororities and fraternities to have more support than other campus organizations because they are more involved in the community and take on more projects. She added that because it's such a new organization it might be slow come together.

"We want to be sure that any group will be successful and have the support it needs," West said.

She added she supported the new sorority's efforts.

"I would support any group that supports women," West said. "I think women that have a common value system, it's good for them to be together and support them in a college environment."

If enough students complete the application requirements and are accepted by the national founding chapter then Collins will work with UK to establish the sorority.

Even if UK isn't the first campus chapter, Collins said she was pleased by the students' interest here and they would have a chapter eventually.

"I would love to have every one of them," Collins said.

And being the Horse Capital of the World doesn't hurt either.

Is anyone else confused about this:

Q #15. If I am a member of a Greek lettered organization already, may I join Gamma Gamma Chi?
We are unable to accept for membership an undergraduate who already belongs to another sorority. Graduates who have membership in another sorority are eligible to be considered; however, we hope that they will choose to discontinue membership in the other sorority in order to devote their time and attention to Gamma Gamma Chi.

I don't understand why it would make a difference whether you're an undergrad or have already graduated-letters are for life.




http://gammagammachi.org/FAQ/

You aren't the only one wondering:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...threadid=20901

It seems to perpetuate the "four years" myth about membership in GLOs.

interesting yet some of the points in the article I find disturbing.

When will people get the hint that putting down other orgs doesn't uplift your own?

Seriously. And I really think that they should get their facts straight about membership in other sororities before they start their own.

What will be interesting is once they form the sorority, will they add a selection process for who can join? And if so will it divide the already small Muslim community at the school?

that was a very interesting article to say the least, and considering i live in kentucky i take interest in it, and plan on passing it along.
And I agree with many of the posts bc i am a little trouble by the comments about other organizations. Even being a member of a service and not social GLO I have to disagree with many of the negative comments. But I think those who are not members and do not have a relationship with members of GLO tend to come up with their own concepts on how things go and how people behave and that is just how it goes sometimes. Stereotypes are dangerous things and they may need to go back to the drawing board when trying to develop their sorority. But I wish them much success as well

Lest We forget, A member of a Social GLO can be a member of a Service, Honorary, or Educational GLO!

If this certain type of Non National GLO wants to do this, then it is their perogitivy isnt it.

The problem is, it is their loss, not ours!:(

interesting question indeed LG. *insert lightbulb*

Just to add a bit of insight...
 

I'm a new poster...Hi, all.

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned here, but Althia Collins is a member of Delta Sigma Theta and the former president of Bennett College.

Re: Just to add a bit of insight...
 

When?

Very good point. This was the question in the back of my mind when I found out about this sorority. I already feel a connection with my Muslim sisters; I don't need a sorority atmosphere for that. But then again. you do bring up a good point that maybe they want to feel more unified on a college campus.

I'm wondering if non-Muslims can join even though they're founded by Muslim principles. That will be interesting.