Duke's chapter of Alpha Delta Pi sorority to close effective immediately

[33girl]

But they weren’t expelled. They resigned. They are non-persons as far as membership in ADPi is concerned. They’ve shown by their actions they want nothing to do with the chapter or Greek life in general so why would anyone who does want to be part of it listen to them?

Neither ZTA nor ADPi had unanimous votes to close. For all the yammering this silly movement does about supporting women, it obviously doesn’t include respecting the wishes of women that are different from your own and letting them go on with their day.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by 33girl

But they weren’t expelled. They resigned. They are non-persons as far as membership in ADPi is concerned. They’ve shown by their actions they want nothing to do with the chapter or Greek life in general so why would anyone who does want to be part of it listen to them?

Neither ZTA nor ADPi had unanimous votes to close. For all the yammering this silly movement does about supporting women, it obviously doesn’t include respecting the wishes of women that are different from your own and letting them go on with their day.

True, they resigned. But do you think it would be an easy road to reestablish the chapter immediately? I'd argue it'd be an uphill battle, especially due to the abolish-Greek-life movement currently going at Duke. Waiting for things to die down a bit might be the better option. I actually jumped around the @abolishgreeklifeatABCuniversity pages earlier on Instagram, and many were going strong through the end of 2020 but then fizzled out. Most didn't extend into the 2021-2022 school year and had their last posts in the spring. I don't see this movement extending for years, except at maybe a campus or two.

The votes weren't unanimous, but it appears difficult for national orgs to battle against collegians in this situation. They take a vote, the org forces the chapter to remain, but then most members resign, leaving the org with no choice but to close. I believe the ADPi vote was something like 69-16, so clearly most members wanted to throw in the towel. If 80% of the chapter wants to give up and ultimately resigns, what choice is there?

Trust me, I think it's crazy for these members to throw their hands up and say Greek life is evil and doomed, and they shouldn't have the power to shut down a chapter in the way that they are. But what's stopping them? Unfortunately, they're leaving their orgs between a rock and a hard place (especially if there's a house to fill and no members to fill it).

[navane]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

The votes weren't unanimous, but it appears difficult for national orgs to battle against collegians in this situation. They take a vote, the org forces the chapter to remain, but then most members resign, leaving the org with no choice but to close. I believe the ADPi vote was something like 69-16, so clearly most members wanted to throw in the towel. If 80% of the chapter wants to give up and ultimately resigns, what choice is there?

Trust me, I think it's crazy for these members to throw their hands up and say Greek life is evil and doomed, and they shouldn't have the power to shut down a chapter in the way that they are. But what's stopping them? Unfortunately, they're leaving their orgs between a rock and a hard place (especially if there's a house to fill and no members to fill it).

I understand what you're trying to say here and, you're not wrong; however, I see it differently. There's a difference between an HQ acquiescing to the collegians' demand that the GLO shut down their chapter and an HQ refusing to close the charter out of principle knowing that the chapter will be difficult to keep open regardless. Both will likely result in the lost of the chapter for the GLO, but the latter was done on the GLOs terms and not the collegians. The collegians get indirect credit; but, technically, they didn't get what they asked for to start with.

[honeychile]

I didn't really want to comment on the loss of Omicron chapter.

I will say that, at least for Alpha Delta Pi, recolonization would most likely only happen after 3-4 years pass. It gives those who resigned a chance to leave the campus.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by navane

I understand what you're trying to say here and, you're not wrong; however, I see it differently. There's a difference between an HQ acquiescing to the collegians' demand that the GLO shut down their chapter and an HQ refusing to close the charter out of principle knowing that the chapter will be difficult to keep open regardless. Both will likely result in the lost of the chapter for the GLO, but the latter was done on the GLOs terms and not the collegians. The collegians get indirect credit; but, technically, they didn't get what they asked for to start with.

There's a difference from our perspective - as seasoned members of our orgs - but do you think that's how most people view it, including the young collegians who participated in the vote? I doubt it. And ultimately, what difference does it make if the result is the same?

All it takes is one situation like this for other chapters to catch on, whether they're ADPi chapters or otherwise. Either way, I'm sure we all hope there won't be a trend and that this is a one-off.

[navane]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

There's a difference from our perspective - as seasoned members of our orgs - but do you think that's how most people view it, including the young collegians who participated in the vote? I doubt it. And ultimately, what difference does it make if the result is the same?

All it takes is one situation like this for other chapters to catch on, whether they're ADPi chapters or otherwise. Either way, I'm sure we all hope there won't be a trend and that this is a one-off.

If you're going to die on a battlefield, is it better to die with a sword in your hand or in a corner, sniveling? It's principle. I know I'm going down; but, if I have a choice, I'm not going down on YOUR terms. I won't give you that satisfaction.

Also, the option of not giving in also presents the headquarters with the small chance that the chapter could still be salvaged. It may be a tiny percentage, but closing the chapter only on the demands of the members presents a 0% chance of staying open.

I don't care what the former members think. I don't care if they run to TikTok to proclaim they won. If the sorority wasn't for them - cool, they can go on their merry way.

[g41965]

I've long thought that some the ills that have stalked Greek life in the northeast would spread into the south , Particularly on campuses like Duke , UVA, Vanderbilt etc. The student body is more into going abroad, less into traditional fraternity culture etc.
Just like fraternities started going local on New England Campuses in the 1960s you see chapters going local at UT Austin ,U of The South , W and L . I see a division between the big state schools and the more selective private schools.
It never got much better in the northeast , I expect for these trends to continue in the south.