The University of West Georgia’s chapter of the Delta Delta Delta sorority has been shut down following a hazing investigation.
Some sisters, though, say the allegations were years old and had nothing to do with current members — and, as of late Monday afternoon, an online petition asking for reinstatement has garnered more than 2,000 signatures.
Delta Delta Delta's national leadership posted the announcement on its website last week, saying it and the university conducted an "extensive investigation" after being alerted to "hazing and risk management concerns" involving "several" members.
“We are deeply disappointed in the choices made by several members of our chapter at the University of West Georgia,” national president Phyllis Durbin Grissom said in a statement. “This decision was made with a heavy heart as our chapter has enjoyed an uninterrupted 44-year history at West Georgia.”
The sorority, often referred to as Tri Delta, did not release specific information regarding the allegations or when the misconduct occurred. In a statement emailed Monday to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the University of West Georgia said only that there were “activities confirmed to be in violation of university policy and the student code of conduct.”
“There are standards of conduct for all student organizations,” the university’s statement said, in part. “Both Tri Delta national and the University of West Georgia are fully committed to enforcing acceptable behavior within our standards of conduct. Student success and safety remain a priority.”
The official who sent the statement said that, because the school’s investigation is “ongoing,” she could not provide more information about the misconduct or when it is alleged to have occurred.
A change.org petition started by one West Georgia Tri Delta sister, however, claimed the alleged hazing "took place several years ago."
“There are no sisters active today that have initiated any hazing events,” the petition said. “The sisters accused under this investigation are no longer at UWG. They have since left or graduated. Therefore, we are being punished for violations we did not commit and have no opportunity to defend ourselves.”
One signer, who identified herself as the sorority’s chapter president, said “the rug was ripped beneath us.”
Attempts to reach out to sorority members directly were not immediately successful.
The University of West Georgia is in Carrollton, about 50 miles west of Atlanta.
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