It has come to the attention of many NYU students that the Epsilon Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is not allowed to intake students from New York University (NYU). The Epsilon Tau Chapter, which is a New York Citywide Chapter is currently instated strictly at The City College of New York and New York Institute of Technology leaving New York University students ineligible for membership. For many women of New York University, especially women of color, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated represents an opportunity to connect with like-minded women, and be a positive role model on campus and within the community. Many young women have waited years for the opportunity to apply to become members of the organization, and have been unsuccessful. We have been informed that the Epsilon Tau Chapter can intake students from New York University, with the University’s approval. Currently, NYU’s stance on Greek Life is they are only accepting campus-based charters. NYU is slowly becoming more diverse, but currently, we do not have the numbers on campus to maintain a campus-based chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., even if it was to be a possibility. Even with NYU’s stance on not recognizing Citywide chapters, there are still Citywide organizations on NYU’s campus that are intaking members with NYU’s knowledge and approval. This leaves many of us at NYU to believe New York University is picking and choosing which Citywide organizations to allow and is leaving Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in the shadows. While the school administration has the authority to agree to participate in this citywide chapter, they do not plan to do so. After expressing our passion and interest in bringing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated to New York University, the school has continued to refuse to join this citywide chapter. The student body of New York University and the larger community would like to petition this decision. We feel that the many women on campus who have waited for this opportunity deserve to be included now that it is here. New York University is filled with hard-working, eligible, intelligent women of color who want nothing more than to exemplify the ideals of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and continue its legacy of scholarship, sisterhood and community service on New York University’s campus. We would like to see the legacy of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and the history of the Divine Nine to continue to thrive at New York University, but we first must be given the opportunity to do so.

If you are in support of this initiative to bring Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated back to New York University, please sign the petition below.