Hoping to spark change in the Greek System, Kappa Delta Epsilon sorority recently created the New Woman Program, designed to enhance members' individuality.
"If the Greek system is going to stay around here, it'll have to change," said Georgina Gemmill '96, KDE president.
Under the guidelines of the new program, KDE will no longer have a pledge period; members will join as full sisters, Gemmill said.
The New Woman Program is divided into three areas designed to enhance a particular part of the new sister's personal development -- specifically self development, sisterhood and the larger Dartmouth community.
The New Woman Program is based on Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity's Balanced Male Program. Sig Ep's program was instituted two years ago in an effort to build members as individuals -- as well as part of a bonded group -- by emphasizing community service and discarding pledge period.
KDE sisters designed the program to not only strengthen their own house but also its members and the College community.
"In the busy life of Dartmouth, we hope this program will allow sisters to remember the goodness and strengths within each of them and to strive towards their personal betterment and development," said Gemmill.
First, the program emphasizes the development of individualism within each member of the group.
Gemmill said she hopes the program will allow KDE to "move away from a purely social organization where hazing undermines the individual and move towards a house as a foundation that builds on individuals instead of group development."
The house's 41 new members are expected to keep a weekly journal, spend one hour a week in thoughtful solitude and set both short and long-term goals for themselves.
Lauren Hirshfield '97, who joined KDE this term, said she feels the New Woman Program "provides everyone with a time to recollect your thoughts and reevaluate your ideas -- something I never even thought I would obtain through joining a sorority."
Second, the new members are expected to play a bigger role in the sorority than most new members do, Gemmill said.
"We had such a large part in establishing our house and we want our new members to have the same opportunity. If an organization is already established, it is too hard to get involved," Gemmill said.
Finally, the New Woman Program hopes to make contributions to Dartmouth and the surrounding communities. As a group, the new sisters will choose a philanthropic and programming theme for the year, Gemmill said.
