Intro from a Lehigh Delta Gamma Alum

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by LehighDGAlum

Hi AOII Angel - you're right, I didn't post a request for help at first - when I posted I had just learned and really, I was stunned. I was trying to just figure out what had happened to sorority life. When I saw the responses to my post, I realized I had better explain things. Now that my pledge class and some of the girls a few years ahead of us and behind us have reconnected, we're trying to figure out what/if anything we can do.

The letter is "a 60 day notice of intent to consider the matter of suspending the chapter's charter." More deets here: http://lehighgreeks.blogspot.com/201...lta-gamma.html

This letter makes it sound like a done deal, but we've gotten some other info - which I won't post here, to your point - that makes us hopeful there may be a glimmer of light.

Sounds pretty final, but that all depends on DG policy and procedures. I always hate to see this happen to any chapter. I don't think you'll ever get an answer to what happened, but it sounds as though this has been long standing and a Greek culture issue at Lehigh given past posts on GC. Several chapters have been on probation in recents years including AOII. Hopefully the entire campus is cleaning up its act.

[dukedg]

I would definitely contact the ATC and ask what you can do to help be part of the solution (if it's not too late).

I'm not sure how close you live to your alma mater. As some who lives on the opposite coast, one of the reasons I have stayed so active with the local collegiate chapters is some sort of hope for crazy DG karma that if I help here, some awesome women will step up as advisers and help keep my collegiate chapter strong. Someone wrote an article in the ANCHORA about a similar idea several years back.

I hope everything works out with your chapter -- this can't be an easy decision for anyone involved.

[greekdee]

The letter does make it sound as though termination is just a matter of taking a formal vote to make it official, but you said you have new info that is somewhat hopeful.

I have a family member who saw this happen with his fraternity, which was right on the brink of being removed from campus. He and some other alums banned together, and with the help of some actives who really wanted to save the house, they did pull it out of the fire. It was a lot of work and took several years before the fraternity was fully restored as a strong chapter, but they did save it.

As AOII Angel pointed out, though, this may be tied in with the culture of the campus This could mean the problem is bigger than just your chapter. Your nationals say the current culture of the chapter can't be reversed, which makes me think the overall environment is not ripe or supportive enough for the chapter to be restored. This is always difficult and disappointing to see. Best of luck -- I hope there is a doable plan of action and an opportunity for resolution.