By Mallory Sherwood, Managing Editor
University officials have yet to decide the immediate future of women’s social club Delta Theta.
The club was deactivated in October after the club’s advisers resigned, prompting the administration to require members to conduct a self-study of the club to evaluate its mission and purpose before reactivating the group.
Lindsey Jessup, DT president and senior human communication studies major from Bakersfield, Calif., said the club turned in its self-study before Thanksgiving and is awaiting a response by Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of campus life, and Mike Spell, director of social clubs.
“We’ve had to look back at our club’s history to find out what they did when it started, what went wrong in the past, and how they fixed it,” Jessup said. “We have so many cool traditions even from the first year the club started that we are anxious to begin again.”
Jessup said all members participated in interviewing DT alumni, researching the history of the club, which began in 1925, and completing a confidential survey on how they viewed their club and what changes should be made.
Barnard said in an e-mail the club is heading in the right direction.
“Overall, they need to re-evaluate their mission and purpose and their goals in light of their mission and purpose,” Barnard said. “As is true for all organizations, such self-assessment is necessary and important so that the ideals and dreams of the organization will continue to be affirmed.”
He said without this analysis, leaders and members often forget about the people and traditions that were key in beginning the club.
Jessup said once the club found out about its deactivation, all officer position dissolved, and the club changed.
“We want to stop the ACU rumor mill from being negative to being positive,” Jessup said. “We’re known as a party group but in a negative connotation. We’re a unique group of girls who like to have fun in a positive way.
“We have 13 new officers with positive attitudes, helpful things to say, who are dedicated to keeping traditions that will continue to make DT something everyone can be proud of,” Jessup said.
The club has two new advisers, both DT alumni, who have fresh, new ideas. Jill Langford, class of 1977, and Katie Alford, class of 1996, have stepped forward to advise the social club as it takes a new step.
For now, club members await approval of administration, so they can plan for Sing Song, spring rushes and pledging next fall.
Barnard said he is in the middle of reviewing their study with respect to the needs of the club as an approved and recognized ACU organization.
“As with any club who has or will struggle with issues of purpose and mission as reflected in current practices,” Barnard said. “I believe Delta Theta has great potential as a club at ACU.
“I encourage them to continue to seek the advice and counsel of alumni members, to seek a partnership with advisers, whose goal is to encourage the club toward the original purpose of Delta Theta, and to work closely within the ACU community to uphold the standards of a Christian women’s social club.”
