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The Dartmouth
July 10, 2025 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

Sororities Must Secede from CFSC

We are speaking on behalf of a group of women who attended the all sorority meeting held at Sigma Delta sorority Wednesday night. The meeting was called to develop a unified plan of action for all sororities in response to recent events that raised questions regarding our association with the Coed Fraternity and Sorority Council (CFSC). We fear that our active participation in this council, and the allegiance that this implies, directly contradicts the respect and equality that we hope to foster within the community.

Condemnation of sexist and racist actions was unanimous at the meeting. Yet proposed plans of action engendered debate and division. One suggested solution was that the sororities withdraw from the CFSC and form a separate governing body. In the end, secession was overridden in favor of giving the system yet another chance to reform from within. Some felt that the sororities have an obligation to help the fraternities build an environment of respect towards women. They worried that abandoning the system as a whole would only exacerbate the existing problems.

A '96 who formerly sat on the CFSC stated that even two years ago the women of this body were demanding more power and influence. Today, the group is still composed of 24 men and only six women. How can the sororities effect reform in a group where women do not have an equal voice? Working within the system has not effected change. It is apparent that new alternatives are necessary.

As members of sororities, we're tired of defending a system that degrades women. We joined sororities in search of a safe and supportive environment for women. We have found this support both in our houses and in the sorority system, but not in the Greek system as a whole. Why is it that a woman can be slapped across the face by a man in the basement of her own house? Why do fraternity brothers think they are entitled to push their way into a closed sorority party once they have been asked to leave by a sister? Why is it that when a woman takes a stand she gets laughed at? Or a beer thrown in her face? Or physically intimidated? Is it surprising that sororities now have to hire "bouncers" for their parties?

As women, we at times feel powerless in our own houses. There has been enough talk; we need to take action. Secession is not intended to create a moral highground, but to denounce these acts of disrespect. The behavior of many fraternity members has shown that fraternities and sororities have different goals. How can we support a system in which such discrepancies exist? Secession would allow each organization to individually demonstrate the ideals that they value.

As a small group of women, we cannot purport to speak for the entire sorority system. We do, however, feel that our voice was not heard Wednesday night. Even though no vote was taken at the meeting, it was decided that secession was not the answer. But this option cannot be ignored. Perhaps a poll of all the women in the Greek system would ensure that the decision made truly reflects the majority's opinion.