Bucking a national trend of flat or declining growth, sororities are actually budding on the campus of The University of Texas at Dallas. For the first time in more than 10 years, a women’s social service organization, the national fraternity Delta Delta Delta, has been invited to join the College Panhellenic Council at UT Dallas.
When formally installed this fall, Delta Delta Delta, or Tri Delta, will be the third National Panhellenic Conference organization on campus, joining Alpha Gamma Delta and Kappa Alpha Theta.
“Fraternal groups are, in essence, a leadership movement for young women,” said Donna Rogers, assistant vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students at the University. “They provide a lifetime of opportunities and are a place for expression and growth. We are thrilled to add Tri Delta to the Greek program at UT Dallas.”
The Process
Approval to add a third national sorority at UT Dallas stemmed from local colony Alpha Lambda Chi’s interest in becoming a national Panhellenic organization, combined with the increase in the group’s recruitment and potential for new members.
After a call for expansion was placed in February 2007, representatives from three national sororities, including Tri Delta, made presentations to UT Dallas’ Panhellenic expansion committee, which consisted of women from the local chapter, Alpha Lambda Chi; the College Panhellenic Council; and University administrators. UT Dallas approved the selection of Tri Delta, and a formal invitation was extended to the fraternity in May.
The UT Dallas College Panhellenic Council previously expanded in 1996 when Kappa Alpha Theta chartered local sorority Beta Chi.
“This is a big moment for UT Dallas, the women of our Panhellenic and the women of Alpha Lambda Chi,” said Briana Lemos, coordinator of student activities for Greek life at UT Dallas. “Our students are looking forward to a successful partnership with a third sorority.”
Fall Rush
The women of Alpha Lambda Chi have already taken on membership in the Epsilon Theta chapter of Tri Delta, and they begin the formal colonization process this fall. Tri Delta’s recruitment, or “rush,” will take place in September, a few weeks after Alpha Gamma Delta and Kappa Alpha Theta completed their fall rush efforts.
Tri Delta History
Tri Delta was founded in 1888 and began as an organization concerned with the growth and development of the college woman. In 1999, Tri Delta joined with St. Jude Children’s Research hospital to host successful philanthropy events to benefit the children and research at St. Jude.
The pearl, pine and pansy are official Tri Delta symbols, chosen to represent the three stages of growth and development in the sorority. Tri Delta’s colors are silver, gold and cerulean blue. The sorority’s mascots are the dolphin and Poseidon.
About the UT Dallas Office of Greek Life
Established in 1990, the UT Dallas Office of Greek Life is home to 13 national fraternities and sororities representing organizations from the Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and the National Panhellenic Conference. The mission of the Office of Greek Life is to provide students with a quality fraternal experience, which includes scholarship, service, social awareness and leadership.
About UT Dallas
The University of Texas at Dallas, located at the convergence of Richardson, Plano and Dallas in the heart of the complex of major multinational technology corporations known as the Telecom Corridor, enrolls more than 14,500 students. The school’s freshman class traditionally stands at the forefront of Texas state universities in terms of average SAT scores. The University offers a broad assortment of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. For additional information about UT Dallas, please visit the University’s website at www.utdallas.edu.
New initiates of the Epsilon Theta chapter of Tri Delta pose with (l-r) Michelle Popp Shimberg, fraternity president and Linda Wolf McLinden, fraternity director.