The end of my chapter

[anonymousie]

I recently received a letter from the headquarters of my sorority (I am an alumna).

The executive leadership of my college chapter has asked to return its charter and dissolve, as part of the "Abolish Greek Life" movement. The chapter leadership conducted a vote of membership and the chapter "voted to dissolve" because they believe that sororities are harmful and discriminatory. The current college members believe that legacy preference is harmful; that dues are discriminatory to low-income potential new members; and that the Greek life system needs to be ended.

Our sorority's headquarters are seeking input and feedback from alumnae of our chapter, as well as updating us that this happened. They will issue a decision soon about their response to the chapter's plans (they do not have to "accept" the dissolution/return or charter and what they do next may be sorority-specific, so I will be vague for now). The vote held by the leadership of the chapter and its members has not been shared publicly anywhere (I can't find anything about it on the chapter's social media or website or in the news).

I am not including info about my sorority here, because I don't want this to become public until there is some sort of outcome. But the sorority is a nationally recognized, common, well-known sorority. And the university is a nationally-known, well-respected university. And the chapter is a VERY old chapter.

The chapter is over total; has dozens and dozens of active collegiate members (I don't want to identify the number because it could identify the situation); and has not had any issues with recruitment, operations, etc., as far as I know.

I am very sad to hear this, and things feel a bit complicated to me. I don't really know why I am posting this, but I am. I wish sisters who no longer feel like they could be part of the chapter would disaffiliate or ask for alumnae status, rather than dissolving something that has been important to generations of women. I also understand that I am not a 21-year-old and may be out of sync with this generation.

Tough.