Delta Pi
| Delta Pi | |
|---|---|
| ΔΠ | |
| File:Delta Pi sorority crest.png | |
| Founded | November 2, 1989 York University |
| Type | Social |
| Scope | Canada |
| Motto | Sisterhood to Last a Lifetime |
| Colors | Pink and Grey |
| Symbol | Lion |
| Flower | Pink Rose |
| Jewel | Ruby |
| Publication | Delta Pi news (online) |
| Philanthropy | The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation |
| Chapters | 4 chapters |
| Website | Delta Pi Website |
Delta Pi (ΔΠ) is an historically Jewish Canadian sorority founded in 1989 at York University in Toronto.
History[edit]
Delta Pi was founded at York University in Toronto, Canada on November 2, 1989. The organization grew out of friendships among little sisters of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, many of whom wished to establish a lasting organization of their own outside of the fraternity's umbrella. The brothers of Alpha Epsilon Pi were supportive in the endeavor.[1][2][3][4][5]
Delta Pi is an historically Jewish sorority; however, they accept students of all backgrounds.
For over three decades, Delta Pi has operated without official university support. This is a standard practice among Canadian universities, whereas in the US, institutional support is far more common and often enthusiastic.[6] York University maintains a long-standing position that it does not recognize Greek social organizations, while it endorses honorary and recognition chapters.[7] Nevertheless, Delta Pi and other social organizations have persisted. At present, York students participate in three fraternities, namely Alpha Epsilon Pi, Kappa Sigma, and Phi Delta Theta, and three sororities, including Delta Psi Delta, Tau Sigma Phi, and Delta Pi. The men's groups are international, with many chapters across the US and Canada, while the women's groups have only Canadian chapters.
Despite a lack of institutional support, over three decades the sorority has grown to include three chapters and a fourth colony, all within Canada.
Delta Pi's alumnae participate informally with their collegiate chapters at reunion and charitable events, however sorority-wide governance appears to be vested with the Alpha chapter at present.
The Three Pillars of Delta Pi are Sisterhood, Judaism, and Philanthropy.
As philanthropic efforts have been a component to Delta Pi's program from the beginning, this support is exemplified by several annual endeavors. These include:
- The annual Ribbons and Roses Charity Auction to benefit the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.[8]
- Annual participation in the CIBC Run For The Cure, a race now managed by the Canadian Cancer Society.
- Annual participation in the Guelph Children's Wish Fund
- Support of other Greek-sponsored initiatives, like AEPi's Walk With Israel campaign.[9][10]
The sorority reports having raised over $55,000 for the Cancer Foundation.[1]
Symbols[edit]
- The Crest is a shield prominently displaying the Star of David at its apex, surmounted by a banner with the public motto, "Sisterhood to last a lifetime", above. The colors of the crest are varying shades of pink and grey. The letters, Δ and Π are in the center, on a smaller Norman crest, with roses below, extending to the right and left. "Delta Pi Sorority" is written in English on a banner below.
- Colors - Pink and Grey
- Flower - Pink Rose
- Symbol: Lion
- Open Motto: Sisterhood to Last a Lifetime [1]
Chapter list[edit]
As of 2020, the sorority reports the following chapters, their founding dates and universities, at present, all within Ontario: [1]
- Alpha - November 2, 1989 - York University, (serving the Greater Toronto Area)
- In addition to York University, Alpha chapter serves students from Ryerson University,[11] University of Toronto, George Brown College, Seneca College and University of Guelph-Humber
- Beta - February 25, 2012 - McMaster University, (Hamilton)[12][13][14]
- Gamma - February 28, 2015 - University of Guelph, (Guelph)
- Delta - March 19, 2019 - Colony serving universities in Kingston
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 According to the Delta Pi National Website, accessed 15 Sept 2020.
- ↑ The sorority is linked on several Canadian social media sites, such as this national list, accessed 15 Sept 2020.
- ↑ Local community newspapers regularly list Delta Pi among campus organizations, like this 2015 Excalibur article, accessed 16 Sept 2020.
- ↑ Student blog York U Life notes the prevalence of sub rosa organizations, including Delta Pi, and in spite of official lack of support, in an article accessed 16 Sept 2020.
- ↑ Delta Pi is noted as a partner organization by 96-year old BBYO, a pluralistic, global Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences. Accessed 16 Sept 2020.
- ↑ As noted in The Ryersonian, a journal by journalism students at Ryerson University, and a Dec 2016 article on the lively campus connection to Delta Pi, and others among the Toronto "Greek Scene". Article accessed 16 Sept 2020
- ↑ While the school does not recognize social fraternities or sororities, per a 1990 presidential directive on the matter, on an unofficial or sub rosa basis, they exist.
- ↑ The sorority's 23 year (then) history of philanthropy is noted in a 2018 article on the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation website. Accessed 16 Sept 2020.
- ↑ Canadian Jewish News reports in the inaugural Walk With Israel event, where AEPi and Delta Pi were noted participants, accessed 16 Sept 2020.
- ↑ The sorority was again noted for its support of the Walk for Israel in the Jewish Tribune, 31 May, 2012, p.12, which was for several decades the largest Jewish weekly publication in Canada. Accessed 2 Oct 2020. The paper was associated with the B'nai Brith organization, which claimed Delta Pi as a sponsor.
- ↑ Noted on Ryerson's Hillel website as an active group, accessed 16 Sept 2020.
- ↑ Noted on the MacInsiders website, for the McMaster Student Community, accessed 16 Sept 2020
- ↑ Canadian universities do not suppress all mention of Greek activity. Numerous examples of Linked In pages or university articles note participation of individual members, as in this 2017 article on a student travelling to Israel. Article accessed 16 Sept 2020.
- ↑ The Beta chapter is listed among Ontario Non-Profit Corporations, via CanadianCharityLaw.ca, in a PDF accessed 2 Oct 2020.
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