CARROLLTON, Ga. — New members of the Tri Delta sorority were stunned when they learned their sorority was disbanded and they had a week to get out of their house.
Members of the University of West Georgia's Tri Delta Chapter told Channel 2’ Liz Artz through a cracked door Monday they have until Wednesday to move out of their house. They told Artz they were instructed to not speak publicly, but are heartbroken over their chapter being disbanded.
Students on campus said they were just as stunned to hear the news.
“They look at hazing as more of a test of durability, if you're going to stay true to the sisterhood or brotherhood, but the people in charge don't see it that way," said student Ty Alford.
The details are unclear, but the university released a statement Monday stating the withdrawal was the result of an investigation. The national fraternity president stated she was deeply disappointed in the choices made by several members and Tri Delta remains committed to a zero tolerance policy on hazing.
“It's old. It happened a long time ago. They may have had a recent issue that brought it up," said student Katie Bourquine.
The father of a new pledge, who started an on-line petition to save the chapter, told Artz it was an incident that happened three years ago, long before his daughter or most of the other girls were members.
In a statement he said, “It was anti-hazing month and they wanted to make a statement. Let’s be real, if this were UGA they would not have pull the chapter. They thought this chapter was expendable and they used them as an example."
The petition has well over 2,000 supporters. The chapter could be withdrawn for three years. Many of the current members will have graduated by then.
Here’s the full statement from the national president.
“We are deeply disappointed in the choices made by several members of our chapter at the University of West Georgia,” said National Fraternity President Phyllis Durbin Grissom, Southern Methodist. “This decision was made with a heavy heart as our chapter has enjoyed an uninterrupted 44-year history at West Georgia. Tri Delta remains committed to its zero tolerance policy on hazing and will continue to be a passionate advocate for hazing prevention awareness and education across the country.”
WSBTV
