Sororities

Sororities, also called Greek Letter Organizations or Greek Life, are female-only social organizations at colleges and universities. Their primary purposes are often stated as the development of character, literary or leadership ability, or a more simple social purpose, rather than a profession.

Individual sororities vary in organization and purpose, but most share elements such as rituals, member selection processes called rushing and pledging, and a campus residential property open only to chapter members.

Sororities (originally termed “women's fraternities”) began to develop in 1851 with the formation of the Adelphean Society Alpha Delta Pi, though fraternity-like organizations for women didn't take their current form until the establishment of Pi Beta Phi in 1867 and Kappa Alpha Theta in 1870. The term “sorority” was used by a professor of Latin at Syracuse University, Dr. Frank Smalley, who felt the word “fraternity” was inappropriate for a group of ladies. The word comes from Latin soror, meaning “sister,” “cousin, daughter of a father's brother,” or “female friend.” The first organization to use the term “sorority” was Gamma Phi Beta, established in 1874.

The development of “fraternities for women” during this time was a major accomplishment in the way of women's rights and equality. By mere existence, these organizations were defying the odds; the founding women were able to advance their organizations despite many factors working against them. The first “Women's Fraternities” not only had to overcome “restrictive social customs, unequal status under the law, and the underlying presumption that they were less able than men,” but at the same time had to deal with the same challenges as fraternities with college administrations. Today, both social and multicultural sororities are present on more than 650 college campuses across the United States and Canada.

History of Sororities at Trinity

When the first women were admitted to Trinity in the Fall of 1969, the administration began strongly encouraging existing fraternities to go coeducational as well. Phi Kappa Psi pledged women as early as 1971, along with several other fraternities but they soon dissipated due to declining general interest.

In the early 1980s, the first two sororities were organized: the Beta Omega Chapter of Delta Delta Delta in 1981, and the Zeta Theta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma in 1982. Delta Psi (St. Anthony Hall) began admitting women in 1984.

In 1990, Professor of Sociology Noreen L. Channels conducted a survey of 3,000 alumnae who graduated from Trinity in order to gain insight on their experiences in several areas, one of which was fraternities and sororities. In the survey, many of the responses coming from women who graduated between 1980 and 1989 described how it was difficult to socialize without engaging with the fraternity system, but that “sexism was more prevalent” (Sec. 4, p.5). Some women also indicated that they didn't feel the sorority system improved upon matters. Others, however, noted that they had positive experiences and either joined sororities or joined fraternities as female members.

Trinity College today is home to seven fraternities, five sororities, and two co-educational organizations. About 20 percent of the campus makes up Trinity’s Greek organizations with 450+ members. As one of the few NESCAC schools to offer Greek organizations, Trinity students and alumni have held tightly to their continued existence and legacy despite attempts to reform or abolish them.

The organizations are overseen by an Inter-Greek Council, a student-run organization made up of representatives from each of the houses. The IGC seeks to create a more unified campus community for both Greek and non-Greek students by fostering a greater collaborative effort between the fraternities, sororities, the College administration and faculty, as well as the student body on matters of academic, social, and philanthropic interests.

Trinity's sororities, past and present, are listed below under their most recent names. Active and current organizations are notated.

List of Trinity Sororities

Alpha Chi Omega (AXO)-active Organized in 2017, the Lambda Mu Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega absorbed Order of the Elms so it could become a nationally recognized organization. AXO focuses on spreading domestic violence awareness.

Cleo Society of AX (CLEO) –active Cleo was originally organized under the name Clio Literary Society in 1878 by students who were dissatisfied with the other four existing fraternities. It became the Alpha Chi Chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon (DEKE or DKE) in 1879. DEKE was the first College fraternity to admit women in 1969, and the members of the Alpha Chi Chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon revived the Clio Society in 1983. On September 13, 1990, DKE's charter was revoked when it refused “to comply with the international's demands that women no longer be fully initiated and allowed to hold offices.” In response, students wrote letters pushing back against the discrimination, and affirming its commitment to coeducation. The new organization was called Alpha Chi (AX). At the time, more than half its members were women. According to Cleo President Peter Alegi '92, its “twenty-three year co-educational status was so important to our very existence as a group that we became completely independent of (sexist and racist) DKE in the fall of 1990. We became a financially self-supporting, independent Greek organization (unlike all the other Trinity Greek organizations).” Kim Nuzum '91, an officer in AX stated,“We do not feel that we have lost anything. To comply with the international would contradict what our siblinghood represents. Instead, we are viewing this as a new beginning.” Located at 98 Vernon Street, CLEO is often referred to as “the siblinghood.”

IVY Society (IVY)-active The IVY Society began life in 1981 as Trinity's first sorority, the Beta Omega chapter of Delta Delta Delta (Tri-Delta). Delta Delta Delta was founded at Boston University in 1888 and was the first women's organization to be founded as a national organization with complete plans for governmental structure and expansion. The IVY Society as a local sorority was formed in 1995, “dedicated to building lasting friendship, developing strong social and academic personalities, and most importantly, forming well-rounded women.” For a short time, it merged with Alpha Delta Phi to form “The Fire Society” as a compromise to a coed mandate. Its home is at 162 Allen Place.

Kappa Kappa Gamma (KKG)-active –Sororities————– Kappa Kappa Gamma was established in 1870 at Monmouth College in Illinois as one of the country's first women's fraternities. The Zeta Theta Chapter was installed at Trinity in 1982 and is located at 116 Allen Place. Kappa Kappa Gamma describes itself as “an organization of women, which seeks for every member throughout her life bonds of friendship, mutual support, opportunities for self-growth, respect for intellectual development, and an understanding of and an allegiance to positive ethical principles. These standards are as important today as they were in 1870 when Kappa Kappa Gamma was founded by six pioneering young women at Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois. Kappa Kappa Gamma promotes, through its high standards, a broad college experience where scholarship and intellectual development are priorities, resulting in the impressive achievements of its members.”

Delta Psi (St. Anthony Hall, St. A's)-active The Epsilon Chapter of Delta Psi, organized in 1850, was the first instance of a national fraternity at Trinity College. For many years, it occupied space in downtown Hartford. After the move to the Summit Campus, the fraternity occupied its new chapter house – St. Anthony Hall – in 1877. This extraordinary building was funded by Robert H. Coleman, Class of 1877 and designed by Josiah Cleaveland Cady Hon. M.A. 1880, Hon. LL.D. 1905, based on the London home of William Burges, the designer of the original plan for the Summit Campus.

Stella Society-active Founded in 2016, Stella is another local sorority. They are located on Brownell Street and are known for their involvement in the Hartford community. Stella sisters dedicate themselves to the improvement of the college and pledge to support one another in lifelong achievements.

Zeta Omega Eta (ZETA)-active ZETA is a local sorority founded in 2003 by student Meghan Boone, who wished to create “a feminist-minded group of individuals dedicated to diversity, community service, inclusiveness, and the drive to create a more positive social outlet on campus.” The chapter is often associated with WGRAC, Bystander, and Title IX due to its feminist and inclusive values. It is currently described as a co-ed organization.

Attempts at Abolishment

Fraternities and sororities have been widely criticized for practicing elitism and favoritism, discriminating against non-white students and other marginalized groups, conducting dangerous hazing rituals, and facilitating alcohol abuse or binge drinking. Fraternities specifically have been further criticized for encouraging misogynistic behavior and perpetrating sexual violence. Many colleges and universities have sought to reform or eliminate Greek life due to these concerns, but these efforts have typically been met with intense controversy.

Throughout Trinity's history, its Greek Letter Organizations have come under scrutiny and the decision to abolish all fraternities and sororities was considered numerous times.

Between 1970 and 1972, declining interest in fraternities and sororities suddenly changed and new organizations were established. As a result, President Theodore Lockwood revitalized the Interfraternity Council and in 1979 asked the Board of Fellows to examine the role of Greek organizations at Trinity, to which they responded that while the fraternities “contributed positively to the quality of life at Trinity and they should continue as long as undergraduate interest was sufficient to sustain them,” there was also concern that “fraternities had become an obstacle to realizing the College's objectives regarding minorities and women.” ¹⁾ In response the IFC drafted new guidelines for the fraternities' membership, hazing, initiation, social functions, academic studies, and personal conduct.

In the spring semester of 1981, an episode of sexual misconduct occurred at the Alpha Chi Rho (Crow) house, and the fraternity was put on indefinite social probation. Editorials published in the Trinity Tripod calling for the abolishment of fraternities. A 1981 investigation undertaken by a Committee on the Fraternity System and its Alternatives, which included faculty and students, decided unanimously and unequivocally that “Trinity College would be a healthier place than it now is, both socially and intellectually, if fraternities and sororities were to be abolished on this campus.” ²⁾ The Committee recommended that Greek organizations be phased out over the following three years.

The Trustees, who undertook their own investigation and report, concluded instead that the Greek organizations become coeducational and “discriminatory conduct in regard to race, religion, or sex on the part of any student organization was grounds for withdrawal its recognition by the College.”

The faculty, not quite satisfied with this decision, created an Advisory Committee on Fraternities and Sororities “as a means of monitoring the situation” and the Board of Trustees created a similar committee in 1991.

The Trustees in 1992 approved the following recommendations for Greek Organizations: that they adopt mandatory coeducation by 1995; that each organization have an advisory board consisting of at least one faculty member, alumni, and administrator; and that the houses are maintained to college and city standards.

In 2012, President James Jones attempted again to mandate coed Greek organizations, but that too was not met. President Berger-Sweeney overturned the coeducational mandate for Greek organizations in 2015. “I approached this topic with an impartial view and open mind,” Berger-Sweeney said in a video statement. “Based on all of my research and conversations, I have concluded that the co-ed mandate is unlikely to achieve its intended goal of gender equity and inclusiveness.”

A Trinity Tripod article that year stated that “the Associate Director of Student Services for Social Houses, and the Greek organizations, Timothy Dunn, has been hard at work over the past year. According to Dunn, there has been exceptional progress in many areas of the Trinity Greek System, 'GPA’s are up, there have been more faculty involved events, the Greek community has excelled at philanthropy as well as created more opportunities for non-traditional collaboration,' said Dunn.”