By Sarah Carlson, Arts Editor
Members of women’s social club Delta Theta are continuing their self-study this semester as they refocus their club’s mission and goals and await reactivation later in the spring, in time for rushes.
Lindsey Jessup, DT president and senior human communication major from Bakersfield, Calif., said in an e-mail that the club’s main focus is on service projects and finding ways to serve the community. Jessup said DT’s deactivation period has been a time of reflection for members, enlightening them on what DT’s founding members wanted the club to be.
“Obviously, we needed to reevaluate a few things in our club, and I feel we, as a whole, have achieved those desired changes,” Jessup said. “In researching Delta Theta, past and present, it has really let members speak out to what they want their club to be. We have had so much alumni support through everything, and a stronger, more deeply rooted Delta Theta will come out of this.”
Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, has worked with Jessup and DT’s other officers and members during the deactivation period and said in an e-mail that the self-study experience for DT has been invaluable.
“They will be a stronger and more viable club because of this process,” Barnard said. “I believe Delta Theta will make significant renewed commitments to their original charter, and they will have developed in ways that might not have happened without this opportunity.”
Barnard said initiating a review process for all social clubs and organizations would be a great benefit to the group and help avoid them falling into modes of complacency and status quo.
“Any organization’s desire should be to continuously improve,” Barnard said. “Such improvement is impossible without adequate self-study and reflection.”
DT has a rich tradition at the university, Barnard said, and needs to be vibrant and active on campus again.
Formed in 1925 and known as “Lucky 13,” the club was originally comprised of 13 girls who gathered weekly to tell ghost stories and whose mascot was a black cat. The name was changed to P.A.L.S. in 1932, and in 1943, the club adopted the name Delta Theta and changed its mission statement to “creating a bond of spiritual and personal friendships.”
In 1990, DT was kicked off campus but was recharted in 1996 by 13 sophomore women, an homage to the clubs original charter members.
“As with all of our clubs,” Barnard said, “we need strong and committed leadership to lead, not only for a year at a time, but with a vision and commitment related to a long view of organizations. This requires reflection on the past, as well as engagement with alumni for a bright future. Lindsey is working hard with her officers to ensure a transition of leadership next year.”
Jessup said she is excited about spring rushes, which will have even more energy than previous rushes, and sending a positive message to women on campus and showing them the true nature of DT.
“Delta Theta is a club of strong, independent women who like to have fun,” she said. “In today’s world, girls need that strong support to help drive them to success.
“We are coming back with a bang,” Jessup said. “There’s no doubt about that.”
