Although the University’s newest sorority won’t be moving into their house until July 2010, the addition of Delta Delta Delta, also known as Tri Delta, has provided a place for a founding pledge class of 119 University women to call home.
When more than 100 girls pledged Tri Delta this year, they weren’t guided by older and experienced sorority members. Instead, they were greeted with the monumental task of building a sorority from the ground-up.
Unlike most pledges who went through recruitment this fall, Tri Delta pledges must build their own foundation without a house, older members or name recognition.
Autumn Dickhaus, Tri Delta’s field consultant, says that having a house is not the only way to build a community.
Dickhaus has been stationed on campus to assist the women of Tri Delta, helping them get on their feet.
“We’re planning sisterhood events, pairing up big and little sisters and holding study sessions. We are so fortunate to be at Oregon where the University staff has been very accommodating in finding us meeting spaces on campus,” Dickhaus said.
Dickhaus said that many of the women have begun meeting outside of scheduled events and building relationships that way.
“Our women have a big spreadsheet with all of their names, hometowns, majors, phone numbers and e-mails so they are able to get together and keep in contact easily,” she said.
Tri Delta also uses a Facebook group to facilitate communication about upcoming events and an interactive discussion board, which all Tri Delta members are able to access.
Although Tri Delta did not participate in this year’s sorority fall formal recruitment, it still managed to attract a large group of women who were eager to be founders of a sorority.
For freshman Tri Delta member Chantel Alves, the fall formal recruitment process did not work for her. Luckily, she found a fit at Tri Delta.
“I did formal rush for two days and I didn’t feel comfortable at any of the other sororities, but with Tri Delta we are starting something entirely new and making our own image,” Alves said. “That is why I am here.”
For sophomore Tri Delta member Isabelle Morse-Dias, the thought of establishing a sorority was an ideal way to demonstrate her leadership skills.
“I love leadership and that is what has interested me in Greek Life and specifically in Tri Delta,” she said. “We are forging a path for others to follow and setting our own traditions.”
Tri Delta has not elected a chapter president or an executive cabinet; however, they have broken themselves into committees and plan to hold elections for positions winter term. According to Dickhaus, the chapter has organized six committees including: Community Service, Greek Relations, Public Relations, Sisterhood, Spirit and Wellness and Academics.
“I am here as a resource to guide and support the committees as they get used to all of their new responsibilities,” Dickhaus said. “After this term, we will transition from committee to officers and at that time they will be able to run the chapter independently.”
Recently, Tri Delta members received T-shirts with their Greek letters and have been wearing them on the same days to promote awareness and unity. The women of Tri Delta have been setting goals for their sorority as a whole and plan to participate in fall formal recruitment next year.
Freshman Tri Delta member Casey Paulson is enthusiastic about getting Tri Delta out into the community.
“One of our main goals is to really get our name out on campus and show what kind of sorority we are. We are going to be doing a lot of philanthropic work, including fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” Paulson said. “We want to be known as an up-and-coming sorority that is excited to be out there.”
Dickhaus said her job has been made easier by the enthusiastic woman who have chosen to be founders of Tri Delta.
“The excitement of our new members is contagious and the dedication of our new members is unwavering. Being a founding member of a chapter is such an unique opportunity,” Dickhaus said. “These women will literally go down in history of the University of Oregon and Tri Delta as they lay the foundation for the future of this chapter.”
For Morse-Dias, the idea of shaping her own sorority is both highly rewarding and exciting.
“The idea of leaving my legacy behind is something that encouraged me to rush Tri Delta, I just hope to help build the place where girls come to live laugh and love for years to come,” she said. “I want to create something that’s going to add to the campus in such a big way.”
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