Thirteen women have banded together to reactivate Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, a historically African-American organization that was deactivated at the College by its national chapter five years ago for unspecified violations.
Though the sorority will not hold Fall term rush coinciding with other Coed Fraternity Sorority organizations, new AKA President Brandi Kenner '98 said the group will hold a separate rush at a different time.
The reactivated chapter will not seek a permanent physical plant, but members will occupy space in the River Apartments beginning this Fall term.
During the five-year ban, AKA was prohibited from accepting new members or sponsoring events.
The sorority would have remained deactivated at the College, except some women expressed interest in starting a second black sorority. In response, the sorority's regional representative pushed for the reactivation of the College's chapter and chose a graduate chapter from Boston to help organize the reactivation.
Interested women attended an official rush organized by the Boston chapter in Thayer Dining Hall last term and were required to submit applications listing their grade point averages and campus activities.
The chapter holds meetings once a month, under the guidance of a representative from the graduate chapter. Members are also consulting old documents from the previous Dartmouth chapter.
Kenner said members have high hopes for the sorority. "We're really excited about being back and really looking forward to working with other Greek organizations on campus," she said.
Many women joined because of the organization's commitment to education and community service, Kenner said.
Treasurer Latia Curry '98 agreed. "Growing up, a lot of people who had a positive influence on me disclosed information peaking my interest in AKA. The organization is empowering as a black woman, and the idea of sisterhood is an added bonus."
The group has organized several service projects for the spring, including last week's sale of "Eastergram" greetings in Thayer Dining Hall. All the funds raised from AKA's projects will go back to the community, Kenner said.
Future events will include participation in the American Heart Association's Walkathon, co-sponsorship of an upcoming Elaine Brown lecture and the hosting a reception for freshman parents and prospective students and parents.
"It's a lot of work and commitment, but something I take very seriously," Curry said. "It's not just another club, but something I am going to be active in for the rest of my life, beyond Dartmouth," she added.
The new members are Tiffany Battle '98, Carmen Brady '98, Curry, Arika Easley '98, Taheerah El-Amin '98, Mitsuko Gardner '99, Llezlie Green '97, Nadine Haig '97, Erika Johnson '98, Kenner, Chere Lucas '99, and Robin Nunn '99 and Farrah Russell '99.
AKA is governed by the Pan Hellenic Council, which oversees the four College-recognized African-American Greek organizations. The council is separate from the Panhellenic Council, which governs the other seven CFS sororities.
