Sorority Accused of Racism Is Suspended

An all-white sorority accused of rejecting a black woman because of her race has been suspended by the University of Georgia, where the grand antebellum Greek houses that line Milledge Avenue remain bastions of racial exclusivity nearly 40 years after the school was integrated.

The Alpha Gamma Delta chapter cannot conduct social or recruitment activities while the organization and university investigate why the unidentified black woman was rejected.

“Based on the allegation and the early investigation as reported to me, it appears this sorority has acted wrongly,” university President Michael Adams said.

A sorority member told university officials the black student was denied because of her race. The woman said she expected retaliation from the chapter after she filed the complaint and has since withdrawn from school.

The black woman rejected by Alpha Gamma Delta wanted to join several white friends as they went through the “rush” process in which potential members dress up and visit the Greek houses, hoping to be picked as members.

While no written rule bars blacks from the traditionally white social organizations, many minorities feel so unwelcome they have maintained their own fraternities and sororities.

Evita Broughton, a black freshman from Marietta, said she expected at least one sorority to accept the student, but was not surprised by her exclusion.

“That’s just the way it works,” Broughton said. “There’s a lot more harmony between races on campus now, but there are still certain things you just don’t do.”

The woman eventually dropped out of the process after two or three days because she didn’t feel comfortable, school officials said.

About 30,000 students attend the state’s flagship university, but only 6% are black in a state that is 25% black. About 19% of the students belong to Greek organizations.

There are seven traditionally black Greek organizations at the university--four sororities and three fraternities. In sharp contrast to the mansions on Milledge Avenue, none of the black groups have houses. Like their white counterparts, they are usually composed of a single racial group.

Shantwuan Johnson, a black student from Atlanta, said she has nothing in common with members of traditionally white sororities and has no interest in joining one.

“If you want an organization, create your own,” said Michael Carthon, a black student from Atlanta. “Why would you want to be a part of an organization that doesn’t share your culture or values?”