Sororities

A Female Student Recalls Restrictions Still on Campus in '61

Date
March 27, 1979

From her time here at Dickinson, a female student of the class of 1961, recalls the restrictions women still faced on campus in the "Women as Leaders" survey. Women's social life was restrictive in that "Freshmen girls had to be in by 9:00 p.m. on weeknights, etc." The women's Freshmen dorms were also "terribly far away" from campus. Women's sports were also downplayed, which she experienced firsthand.

A Female Graduate Recalls Sorority Life in the 1960s

Date
March, 1979

In one of the responses from the "Women as Leaders Survey" from 1979, a female graduate of the class of 1969 writes on her experiences with Greek Life at Dickinson. She mentions that social life at Dickinson could be restrictive in forming relationships with people because "people were stereotyped...in those years (frat vs.

Omega Psi Sorority Becomes Chi Omega in 1907

Date
1907

In 1907, the Omega Psi Sorority was adopted into the Delta Chapter of the Chi Omega Sorority. The Omega Psi Sorority was started in 1899 at Dickinson College.

Sui Generis discusses their purpose, status as a sorority

Date
February 9, 1961

The president of Sui Generis, Bobbi Jo Thome, called a special meeting which was attended by the members of Sui Generis as well as Dean Stevens.  The purpose of the meeting was to "examine where we are going and what we are," according to Dean Stevens.  A majority of the discussion revolved around whether or not Sui Generis should be a part of Pan-Hel and the traditional rush process.  Some worried that withdrawing from Pan-Hel would send a stand-offish signal to freshman and independent women, while others felt that continuing to be a part of Pan-Hel created more competition between Sui G

Sororities at Dickinson: Do they serve a purpose?

Date
November 15, 1963

In an article entitled "Analysis Suggests Sororities at Dickinson Serve No Purposes and Produce Barriers," a writer for The Dickinsonian explores whether or not sororities are justifiable at a liberal arts college. The author argues that it is not difficult to make friends on a small campus and that there is a psychological danger to the rejection some face at the hands of sororities. Moreover, the author called for sororities to justify their existence, especially in light of the discrimination they practiced toward black women.

Sui Generis Receives Plaque from Phi Beta Kappa

Date
Septermber 16,1960

According to the official minutes of Sui Generis, a non-exclusive women's fraternity, in 1960 the members received an award from Phi Beta Kappa for their outstanding scholarship.  Sui Generis had the highest percentage of the Phi Beta Kappa average, a 3.5, of all of the sororities and fraternities on campus.

Changes in Rushing Rules

Date
April 25, 1960

According to the official minutes of Sui Generis, a non-exclusive women's fraternity, the Pan-Hellenic Council established changes to the rush rules for the subsequent semester.  According to the minutes, "There will be free association in South, but no in other eating establishments, riding in cars is OK if two or more sororities are present, double dating with a Freshman and a sorority girl is OK if arranged by the boys, and only one social service project may be advertised on campus."  Pan-Hel also established the length for invitational parties and what food would be served during open

Social Rules Evaluation Committee Approved by Sui Generis

Date
February 20, 1961

According to the official minutes of Sui Generis, a local women's sorority with a non-selective policy, the proposal of a Social Rules Evaluation Committee was approved in 1961. The main purpose of the Committee was to create a system of accountability for those members of sororities who were caught drinking.

Sororities: A Time for Self-Analysis

Date
December 15, 1961

An article in The Dickinsonian entitled "Sororities: A Time for Self-Analysis" examines the role and possibility for continuance of sororities. According to the article, sorority women are just as likely to befriend women who are not sisters due to the living arrangements for female students at Dickinson.

Dickinson Grade Analysis: 1960-1961

Date
June 10, 1961

A report released by Dickinson on June 10, 1961 showed the distribution of grades by class, gender, and greek organization.  According to the report, the 348 women on campus maintained an overall average of 2.81, while the 721 men had an grade average of 2.35.  Seniors maintained the highest average with a 2.82, while freshman had the lowest, a 2.21.  Sui Generis was the greek organization with the highest average, a 3.0, and they were closely by Phi Mu and Pi Beta Phi with 2.97 and 2.89 respectively.