Victoria Silman | News Editor
Featured Image: The sorority no longer recruits under a student club on campus. | Fatema Ali
Despite a refusal to recognize fraternities and sororities within the student community, these unauthorized organizations exist—sometimes as legitimate clubs.
An anonymous student came forward expressing her concerns with the pledging process, as Gamma Delta Nu, a sorority operating near campus, explained to her they are a legitimate organization operating within the York community.
According to the student, the sorority approached girls at a party, which turned out to be a rush event. “I was approached by a group of girls claiming they were a sorority supported by York at a village party,” she says.
In a correspondence with Gamma Delta Nu, they explain their rush events occur for approximately two to three weeks. “Most of the events are held at our house, but it isn’t too far from campus and somebody is always available to give directions,” they say.
“We have different events each rush, but usually we have some fun sisterhood events to get to know the sisters. The rush that just passed included a baking night, and skating, and in the fall we had drinking games, and karaoke,” they add.
The student says the events she attended seemed fun until the alleged hazing began. “I was attending rush events unknowingly, as I thought it was a fun experience until I received an invitation. I was excited, but soon found out they bullied and hazed us. I immediately quit when this started, as I felt uncomfortable,” she says.
The university club policy against these types of organizations states three major concerns of recognizing these organizations within the community, including: “Various forms of inappropriate conduct, while not necessarily endemic to sororities and fraternities, are sufficiently common to raise apprehensions,” which coincides with the students’ concerns.
The students’ biggest concern is why the sorority claimed they were supported as a university organization. According to her, Gamma Delta Nu operates as a club under Trillium United, funded by a student levy.
“This sorority is not a club—why is it being funded by the school and our tuition? The money the founders and sisters use is for buying alcohol and funding parties,” she claims.
A source familiar with the club process, who requested anonymity, says the sorority was working under Trillium United so they could recruit potential pledges on campus through tabling events. Furthermore, the group is a legitimate charity on campus.
The anonymous source says any money which was raised or allocated to Trillium United did, in fact, go to their designated charity.
“I don’t think it’s malicious at all. I don’t think they made this club and are taking all this money for their sorority to take advantage of all this—it was just that they need an outlet to host their philanthropy,” they say.
Furthermore, despite Instagram posts displaying Trillium United signs at tabling events, it appears the club has been dismantled. On the YU Connect website, Trillium United is no longer listed.
Though the policy website says fraternities and sororities are unauthorized, the university “will provide services or facilities to them only on the same basis as it does to other off-campus groups: when available, subject to appropriate conditions, and upon payment of reasonable charges,” the policy states.
York Media could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.
