Alpha Phi, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma
WPA maintains that discrimination on the basis of race, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status will not be tolerated. We are committed to fulfilling our responsibility to uphold this belief.
Greek Life, as a historically white institution, has perpetuated institutionalized racism and socioeconomic inequality against the WashU community, especially BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students. In recent years we have begun to make strides towards inclusivity, but there is still work to be done.
We, as a community, need to identify and address a member’s actions when they are in the wrong.
We, as a community, need to train all members about implicit and explicit racial bias.
We, as a community, need to challenge any practices that perpetuate forms of discrimination based on race, socioeconomic status, religion, or sexual orientation.*
We, as a community, need to create a more diverse space where all members can feel comfortable, welcome, and supported.
*This is not an all-inclusive list of the types of harm Greek Life may have perpetuated
In the fall semester WPA has:
- Supported the establishment of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) positions and expanded DEI programming within affiliated chapters
- Worked as a council to create a unified and inclusive WPA community
- Advocated for reform on both a local and national level to best represent our chapter members’ concerns and interests
Other goals to be further addressed in the coming months:
- Expand our philanthropic efforts to include additional philanthropies that center on equity and inclusion, as well as causes important to the WashU community
- Reducing financial responsibility
- Increasing members’ comfort and safety by promoting inclusive practices through concrete programming
- Establishing a community that is dedicated to constantly bettering itself by continuing reform efforts far past the ones that have been incorporated into this year’s recruitment plan
We spent months planning recruitment with reform in mind, and we believe this is the best opportunity to show our community how we are creating a more equitable sorority experience. We have chosen to move forward with recruitment because it provides us a platform to enact serious and thought-out changes to this community. We recognize that there is interest in joining WPA chapters, and we want to provide that opportunity while making it clear that WPA has and will continue to undergo reform. The following expectations are the basis upon which recruitment will operate, and we pledge to hold each other accountable to them.
Expectations for Recruitment
- Our recruitment will, in every way possible, aim to provide an equitable experience for Potential New Members (PNMs) and Actives alike.
- WPA aims to create a community of women who support each other. Our recruitment will be rooted in community over competition.
- In addition to WPA, individual chapters will hold each other accountable to follow a set of guiding principles based in fairness, equity, and inclusivity.
- Recruitment 2021 is our council’s opportunity to re-shape the WashU Sorority and Fraternity Life (SFL) community. We expect all WPA chapters and individual members to uphold the values and ideals that are shaping this transformation. We will educate all members––Actives and PNMs alike––on our reform efforts and expect they will contribute to this process.
- Below is a non-exhaustive list of the changes being made to Spring 2021 Recruitment*:
- Zero-dollar recruitment for both PNMs and actives (i.e., no registration fees)
- Using an informal structure called Continuous Open Bidding (COB)
- Greater emphasis on values-based recruitment
- Attire is not specified and is an individual choice through which PNMs can express themselves
- PNMs choose which chapters’ events to attend, providing them with more control than previous recruitment cycles
- Required panel before recruitment allowing PNMs to ask questions, voice concerns, and have an honest conversation with active members from each chapter
*More information will be provided in the 2021 Recruitment Kick-Off Panel. Information about this event will be released shortly.
We want to hear from the WashU community, so please feel free to fill out the form in our bio to contact WPA directly with any questions or concerns. https://forms.gle/EkvhS7ArWoDjKvVC8