The history of black Greek organizations, their emphasis on community service and the misconceptions their members face were some of the topics discussed Friday by a panel of members from several historically black Greek organizations.
The discussion, titled "The History of Black Greek Organizations and Their Contributions to the Community," took place in Room 1 of the Rockefeller Center for the Social Sciences and drew an audience of about 20 students.
Panelists from the Dartmouth chapters of Delta Sigma Theta sorority and Alpha Phi Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternities participated, as did Chris Chambers, an Area Director at the College and former Phi Beta Sigma fraternity brother at Howard University.
The misconceptions that members of historically black organizations experience on campus were a lively topic of discussion.
Former Alpha Phi Alpha President Calvin Daniels '96 said several Dartmouth students have asked him, "Why aren't you allowed to talk to white people?"
Delta Sigma Theta President Taja-Nia Henderson '97 said her sorority should not be lumped in with the rest of the sororities on campus.
"We're not a part of that rush process," she said.
Daniels also emphasized that prospective members "do not rush." He said they must attend informational meetings, be invited to apply, be interviewed by the brothers, and pass a history examination given by the national fraternity.
All panelists said their organizations were not necessarily limited to black students.
"Anyone can join if they're interested," Kappa Alpha Psi brother Adrian Busby '96 said. "In our history, we've had members who aren't" black.
Alpha Phi Alpha brother Rodrego Byerly '98 echoed Busby, saying that his fraternity was "only exclusive in terms of goals and improvement of the community."
Chambers said that historically black Greek organizations also have a social component. "Some of us do hold parties ... all of that is a part of how we socialize," he said.
Byerly said that Alpha Phi Alpha was "not a social organization."
"There is a social side," he said, "but it's not an integral part."
Henderson also said that black Greek organizations at Dartmouth and elsewhere have not considered becoming local houses.
"That would never happen. You might actually have a lawsuit on your hands. You might have to move," she said.
Alpha Phi Alpha brother Drew Brady '96 agreed, saying that "brothers from Boston and Rhode Island would come up here and take issue with that at a personal level" if the Dartmouth chapter chose to go local.
Daniels said he was most proud of the strong brotherhood he said exists between members of his fraternity.
"Brotherhood is a great feeling," he said. "It's great to go to any city, any state, and call up an Alpha."
Daniels said Brady, who is planning to marry after graduation, wrote to Reggie Williams '76, the Cincinnati Bengals football star and one of the founding members of the Dartmouth chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, to ask for help in planning his honeymoon.
Daniels said Williams offered Brady two tickets to a sporting event he was involved with and the use of his guest house.
Similarly, Henderson said she was amazed by the number of Delta sisters and alumnae she met on a visit to Atlanta.
"I saw sisters in the mall, in the grocery store ... in the entire South, there was so much love," she said.
Chambers said finding fellow brothers wearing the fraternity's letters and colors is "like running into family."
In particular, members said involvement was a lifelong commitment.
Pace Duckenfield '96 said deceased brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha enter the Omega chapter of the fraternity.
"My father died in '92. He's still in the fraternity," he said, while noting that Washington, D.C. area brothers attended the funeral.
Henderson echoed Duckenfield, saying "Membership is a lifetime commitment. You serve until you die, and when you die, the organization is going to serve you."
