Greek life is a prominent force on Longwood’s campus, with roughly 24 percent of students participating in 21 different academic and social sororities and fraternities, according to the Longwood website, Recently one of Longwood’s sororities, Delta Zeta’s Epsilon Tau chapter (DZ), who has been a part of Longwood’s campus since Oct. 7, 1956, has been dismissed from campus until the year 2019. I have had my new member process suspended and am no longer affiliated with the Delta Zeta sorority, nor are any of the initiated women that were previously a part of DZ.
During the recruitment process I was told I would know when I found my home, I would have a gut feeling inside and ultimately, I did. When I first walked into Delta Zeta’s chapter room I felt immediately at home and a sense of comfort, I even cried on the last day of recruitment, which I could have never imagined myself doing. When I accepted my bid to Delta Zeta I was over joyed and I immediately fell in love with my pledge class and everyone in the sorority; I felt like I had found a family.
A few weeks before my new member class was initiated, there was an incident that wasn’t handled, in my opinion, the best way it could have been by Delta Zeta Nationals. The university didn’t want to see Delta Zeta barred from campus. But according to the members who reviewed the case from their national headquarters, the incident warranted suspension of Delta Zeta on Longwood’s campus.
There are multiple stories being spread around campus and within the Farmville community about what happened to Delta Zeta, but no one will know the truth, only with the exception of the previous members of the sorority. What is known and being shared is that this sorority was suspended due to an alleged hazing charge. I have never felt personally forced to participate in any actions or felt like I was being hazed during my new member process.
No sorority deserves this type of punishment and the loss of a sisterhood is detrimental to our college experience. I think of all these women not only as my friends, but as my family and having that stripped away has impacted all of us. This situation could happen to any sorority or fraternity on any campus at any time. I’m in no way blaming Longwood, they were very respectful of the situation and understanding.
During the interview process, the representatives from Delta Zeta Nationals gave a sense of false hope that our sisterhood would be in good hands, especially toward the new members. During DZ’s first meeting with national members, the Director of Risk Prevention and Education, Will Frankenberger, called our executive board “worthless women” and “cowards.”
In my opinion, this should have never been said by a National Member, especially seeing that the men and woman on this national board claim to be professionals representing the national chapter.
When all of the members of DZ met with national review board for the last time the news was shocking. We could not have imagined this punishment, especially with Longwood’s decision to suspend DZ until Dec. 2017, followed by probation for two years until Dec. 2019.
Even through this difficult time my views are still the same, a sorority is much more than its hard letters, generous gifts or even “throwing what you know," it’s family. I imagine anyone involved in Greek life feels a strong bond and sense of community within their own organizations and they mean a lot to them so you can imagine how the women of Delta Zeta are feeling.
I gained a home away from home through Delta Zeta and I will be forever grateful for the experiences and the wonderful people I have met. However, I will always wonder what my college experience would have been like as a member of Delta Zeta my sophomore and junior year, and I will always question the harsh decision made by the National Board.
