This question “What college has delta sigma theta?” is two-fold. First, what is Delta Sigma Theta? A sorority for Afro-American women. Secondly: what college host this sorority? Several hundred colleges host the sorority mainly in the US. It is relevant to know about their presence to select the appropriate choice if belonging to a sorority represents a crucial concern.
What is a black sorority?
On a general level, it is an Afro-American sorority. Put differently, Delta Sigma Theta is a campus student institution. It belongs to the historical Divine Nine, nine Black fraternities and sororities committed to “community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities.” They constitute the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NHPC) and are connected symbolically to the more elderly “White” Greek letters organizations (GLO). As such, they frequently feature five elements. The first is secrecy. The second is single-sex membership. The third represents the selection of members based on co-optation. The fourth has to do with a common residence for the undergraduates. The fifth element concerns several identification symbols (e.g.: Greek letters, colors). From a practical perspective, one must be aware that belonging to such a society involves time and money. It is, furthermore, a lifelong commitment. It implies giving back to society and sharing the privilege attached to having a significant level of education. Belonging to such a society involves sacred aspects, chiefly concentrated around the rituals of the initiation. Before becoming a member, there is a background screening, and the process takes between one and three months. Belonging to a sorority can be of relevance in the current state of public affairs. For instance, black sororities are involved in the Black Life Matters movement thus is the definition of “what college has delta sigma theta?” first question.
What is the sorority delta sigma theta?
As we saw in the preceding paragraph, delta sigma theta belongs to the “Divine Nine”, the historical Black sororities and Fraternities. The sorority provides a website and a lot of information can be extracted there. The sorority was founded at Howard University in 1913. The founders were soon after involved in the civic movement of suffragists. Those educated women wanted to serve and promote the African-American community. There are two types of membership, one for collegiate and another offered to post-graduate students. The initiation ceremony is described minutely here. In the end, belonging to such a society may convey social power in the exercise of philanthropic activities. That might be the ultimate social function of the sorority. It allows belonging to a certain social order beyond the college years. Belonging to this powerful society might be the most beneficial element of the college years. Thus is the definition of “what college has delta sigma theta?” second question.
Geographical presence in the US and globally
To resolve the question “what college has delta sigma theta?”, it is advisable to refer to the website of the sorority, where homologated chapters figure here. Overwhelmingly, the chapters are located in the US. Historically, they were first established in Howard, then Wilberforce, University of Pennsylvania, Iowa University, Columbus, Cincinnati, Syracuse, Georgia, Ithaca, Pittsburgh, Boston, Berkeley, and Chicago before 1925. Ivy League universities are also well present. As we just saw, a chapter was established early in the University of Pennsylvania, others came after at Cornell, Columbia, Harvard, or Yale. Chapters were later established in many other universities. The list is excessively long to be reproduced here. To be sure that the sorority has a branch in a certain college, it is also possible to Google it. To understand in detail the geographical organization of the sorority, please, refer to this page. In essence, the presence of the sorority is now international, if not global. There are officially seven regions (Central, Eastern, Far West, Midwest, South Atlantic, Southern, South West) and chapters are linked with one region. In England, the sorority also has chapters in Cambridge and Oxford Germany, Japan, and Korea are even represented, as well as in the Bermudas, the Bahamas, and Jamaica. One of the most recent chapters has been launched for West Africa. Thus, the sorority is massively present in the US, in part of the Caribbean Islands, and in some African countries. As such, it could further the goal of a truly global vision of Blackness (cf.: Natives by Akala).
Socio-political relevance
In addition to the “what college has delta sigma theta?” first two questions, a third one can consider its socio-political relevance. Already a long time ago, sociologists were trying to decipher the social meaning of secret societies, which student society is one sort (cf. article of the sociologist Georg Simmel in 1906). The role of the secret here is critical. It might be in tension with other concerns for openness or transparency. Secrecy as we saw earlier is a prominent feature of those organizations. There could be litigation if secrets known during the initiation are leaked (e.g.: handshake). Each sorority has its identity deeply interwoven with rituals, and those rituals should not be discussed with outsiders. Before pledging to enter one of these secret societies, one should carefully think. Of course, belonging to a black sorority may align with the goal of Afro-American emancipation. Hence, the motto of Divine Nine is “Until we are free”, an implicit reference to a grim past where Black people were rather perceived as a commodity. It seems to align with the Black Lives Matter contemporary struggle. Even the wife of Malcom X, Betty Shabbaz, many years after his assassination, became a member of the sorority. Still, some critics may regret that the symbolic culture of the sorority is strongly attached to the Christian and the Greek culture, two arms of the Roman Empire. Its model may be in tension with the Pan-African culture originating in Egypt.
Conclusion
To conclude, we would say that this black sorority is mainly present in a lot of US colleges. Making the choice to belong to it is in the end up to you. This brief article should assist you to gather more information about delta sigma theta, and weigh the pros and cons of this identity.
