CADEN HAYNOR / NEWS EDITOR

Alpha Delta Pi, one of USD’s panhellenic sororities, announced that the national chapter decided to withdraw the USD Zeta Pi chapter on Feb. 21. 

The sorority’s statement, released on Instagram with over 1,200 likes, confirmed the Zeta Pi chapter’s closure.

“With care  for  our sisterhood,  Alpha Delta Pi  has made the decision to withdraw  the   Zeta Pi chapter at   the  University of San Diego   at   the   end of this semester,” the statement read.   “This   follows  a   period   of   thoughtful   evaluation     despite  many    heartfelt   efforts to strengthen the  chapter. Our focus now is  ensuring every Alpha   Delta Pi member feels  supported,  valued, and surrounded by  Panhellenic love during  this transition.”

USD Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Kristen Reynolds  explained  why the   Zeta   Pi   chapter   shut  down.

“The   Grand  Council  of   Alpha  Delta  Pi   voted  to  close  the Zeta Pi chapter due to ongoing challenges with membership size, recruitment outcomes, retention and leadership capacity, which together make long-term sustainability difficult,” Reynolds stated. “The International Organization determined that closure is the most responsible option given current conditions.”

The Zeta Pi chapter of Alpha Delta Pi was the first Greek-letter organization brought to USD in 1977, after the men’s and women’s colleges merged.

Nationally,  Alpha Delta Pi is the oldest sorority in the United States, beginning as Adelphean Society  in  1851 at Wesleyan College in Georgia. Wesleyan was the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women.

Reynolds reacted to the closing of the Zeta Pi chapter.

“As both their on-campus chapter advisor and a Panhellenic sorority woman, I am deeply saddened to see the Alpha Delta Pi chapter at the University of San Diego close,” Reynolds said. “This is  a  significant  loss for Panhellenic, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and the broader USD community.”

Alpha Delta Pi is a social sorority and a member of the National Panhellenic Conference. It has an international scope, with 149 active chapters and more than 260,000 lifetime members. 

USD Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life DJ Mahoney showed  his  support  and sadness at the closing of the Zeta Pi chapter.

“The university did not make the decision but our office supports the decision made by Alpha Delta Pi,” Mahoney stated. “I am saddened by the news of this decision as Alpha Delta Pi has  provided meaningful and transformative college experiences to countless USD students    and  alumnae   since 1977. I am so grateful to the members  of  Alpha  Delta Pi, past  and    present,   for  showing  the USD  community   how  to   showcase the positive impact sororities can have on their campuses.”

USD’s Alpha Delta Pi chapter received  support from the students and members of the panhellenic community on their post.

Alpha Delta Pi has been on USD’s campus since 1977. Photo courtesy of @usdadpi/Instagram