Tri-Delta charter revoked

The national organization of the Delta Delta Delta (Tri- Delta) sorority will withdraw the charter of its Princeton chapter at the end of this academic year, effectively shutting down the sorority on campus.

According to Michelle Shimberg, the national president of Tri Delta, the official date of revocation is May 11.

Shimberg said that Tri Delta has been working with Princeton's chapter closely in hopes of making internal improvements.

"The chapter did not score at a level that puts them in accredited status," she said. "They were not achieving our goals."

Of the requirements necessary to maintain a chapter, Shimberg noted that the Princeton section's most difficult challenge was in improving recruitment and increasing the small membership. Tri Delta did not participate in formal rush this fall.

Shimberg explained that although a collegiate chapter will no longer exist on the Princeton campus, the women already associated with Tri Delta will now become alumni members of the sorority.

The University does not officially recognize Greek life on campus, and as a result, some sorority members think students have preconceived notions about joining.

"I think Princeton should be more open and conducive to sororities because they can do a lot of good things," said Aparna Swaminathan '08, a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.

Describing reasons for the perceived negative attitude of the University toward sororities, she cited a letter from the admissions office.

"The letter sent to the freshmen in the summer, for example, discouraged people from rushing," she said.

Despite the end of the Princeton chapter, Shimberg said that if the timing is appropriate in the future and women are interested in the Greek organization, Tri Delta could start a new chapter.

"We are proud of the women of Tri Delta and the things the chapter has accomplished," Shimberg said. "We are pleased that they will become alumni, and we hope that the campus will be supportive during this process."