AOII Eliminates Legacy Policy

[carnation]

Originally Posted by PersistentDST

In my experience, I’ve seen legacies who have been denied for various reasons. It happened to friends of mine in both undergrad and Alumnae. I happen to know a couple of legacies who waited years before getting an opportunity, including two of my line sisters and a few ladies I helped to bring in my Alumnae chapter recently.

My organization does actually have limitations on how many can be brought in. At large schools, HBCU’s, and some Alumnae chapters, where 100’s of interests apply, a legacy can very well be denied because there simply are not enough spots. Unfortunately, this happened to my cousin a couple of years ago. She had a great resume, but the competition was massive. For some chapters, picking all the eligible legacies would eliminate any other qualified women.

It’s not that it’s something that doesn’t matter, but legacies have to research, get to know members in their chapter of interest, support programming, serve their communities and carry themselves well on campus or in the community, just like all other interests. My best friend didn’t tell anyone she was a legacy and the chapter was surprised when her mother showed up at initiation to pin her. Either way she was Delta material and that’ll always shine through! Membership is a privilege extended to each Soror on their merits.

If a woman has had a certain NPHC group on her mind for years and she's done the required things but still doesn't get in, what happens to her? Is she shunned by other sororities because she showed her preference for one? Will she always have to be independent?

[PersistentDST]

Originally Posted by carnation

If a woman has had a certain NPHC group on her mind for years and she's done the required things but still doesn't get in, what happens to her? Is she shunned by other sororities because she showed her preference for one? Will she always have to be independent?

I can speak to that because I was denied before I made it. If you truly love that organization, you will try again when the opportunity presents itself. Many ladies don’t get in the first time they apply. I didn’t just want to be Greek, I wanted to be a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Ladies can choose to pursue other organizations as they like. I know plenty of ladies who had joined other sororities after being denied from one. It’s not a good look, but it’s their choice. They may be a topic of conversation, some Sorors don’t take kindly to that.

[carnation]

How many times can they try before it looks bad and they finally give up? It seems like people would be talking about them after a few tries.

[PersistentDST]

Originally Posted by carnation

How many times can they try before it looks bad and they finally give up? It seems like people would be talking about them after a few tries.

As many times as they want. I know many people who have tired multiple times and it doesn’t look “bad” to us, it shows they won’t give up. There are many reasons why a woman can be denied, not just because they didn’t get the votes. We have a rigorous application process with specific requirements. “Persistent” is a part of my line name. I earned it because I didn’t give up on my dream. Delta is a lifetime commitment rather you got in the first try as an undergrad or the 4th try as an alumnae member. Some of the most rewarding experiences for me are watching women who had to wait (because of life reasons or being denied previously) finally be initiated. There is absolutely nothing like it.