Troy Greeks thriving with diversity

(PHOTO/Hannah Crews)

While the University of Alabama’s Greek system remains under fire, Troy University Greeks have made efforts to break down the racial barriers.

The University of Alabama’s historically white Greek sororities were criticized for “blackballing” several black women from their organizations during recruitment in September.

These organizations have been notorious for their “white only” groups, and the upcoming steps to end over a century of systematic segregation have already begun this semester.

Because of Alabama’s failure to work on the diversity in its Greek system, new rules have been established that allowed all to be a part of the recruitment process in a program called continuous open recruitment.

This will potentially give all students the abilities and rights to be recruited without going through the organized fall recruitment.

Barbara Patterson, the director of student involvement says Troy University has gone through diverse changes within the last six years, and she hopes to see more interaction and understanding not only with blacks and whites but also with international students.

“I think the issue that happened at the University of Alabama, it is unfortunate that the media had to come there so the university would actually look at it,” Chris Hager, the coordinator of student Involvement said. “Campuses are becoming more and more diverse, with that comes change and I think that with Alabama, I’m just surprised that they’re just now taking the time to think about this issue and have questions about the diversity of the organizations.”

“It being 2013, it’s disheartening that this is just now coming to light. The Greek society has been around for years there, and you would have figured that they would have been a little more integrated by now than what they are,” Hager said.

Hager said he is very proud that Troy University is becoming integrated and chapters are more accepting of races and nationalities.

According to Hager, this year several sororities accepted black women, and three international men went through fraternity recruitment. The majority received bids.

“I think that we’re falling in line with what Chancellor Hawkins says with his mission to become Alabama’s international institution, and to do that we have to involve international students in all aspects of the campus,” Hager said.

Tammie Pinkston, Alpha Delta Pi’s International President gave this statement involving formal recruitment at the University of Alabama:

“During our thorough investigation at The University of Alabama, we confirmed that Alpha Delta Pi processes and procedures were followed, and our collegiate members had the support they needed to make values-based and non-discriminatory decisions throughout recruitment. We are proud of our Eta collegiate members, who – contrary to many of the news reports – have a track record of embracing diversity, and of the alumnae and advisors that have and continue to support them.”