MACON – Mercer recently welcomed its first two chapters of multicultural Greek organizations to serve the University's international student population.
Delta Epsilon Psi fraternity and Sigma Sigma Rho sorority, both established South Asian social Greek organizations, have been officially recognized by the Office of Campus Life and Student Involvement and have a one-year probationary period in which to demonstrate they are viable and make a positive contribution to the University's Greek community. Membership in these organizations is open to any student who shares their interests, values and beliefs.
With the addition of these two organizations, Mercer is also forming a new Multicultural Greek Council to help foster a sense of unity and appreciation for the diversity of the University.
“Mercer is dedicated to continually improving the Greek experience at our University,” said Dr. Douglas Pearson, vice president and dean of students. “I am pleased that we have been able to add Sigma Sigma Rho and Delta Epsilon Psi to the stellar list of fraternity and sorority chapter options that we currently offer to our students. These two organizations will provide incoming students with more options and expanded diversity, and should increase the overall number of students who partake in the Greek experience. I am pleased to have them on board, and I look forward to the leadership and service opportunities they will provide to our student body.”
Delta Epsilon Psi was founded Oct. 1, 1998, on the campus of the University of Texas, and is the largest South Asian interest fraternity in the nation.
“We are extremely excited to expand to Mercer specifically, because we will be working to also build a Multicultural Greek Council,” said Bilal Badruddin, national president of Delta Epsilon Psi. “Often, on college campuses, conversations about race focus on black and white. While understanding the dichotomy of black and white is important, an effective conversation should include a multitude of identities. The Multicultural Greek Council would provide a space for students, particularly those of marginalized identities, to participate in the fraternal experience and bring voices for those identities to the fraternity/sorority table.”
Sigma Sigma Rho was founded on Dec. 10, 1998, on the campus of St. John's University in New York, the first South Asian interest sorority on the East Coast.
“We are excited to expand to Mercer,” said Jovita Pinto, southeast expansion director for Sigma Sigma Rho. “The interest group has worked so hard to collaborate communications between the National Executive Board and Mercer Greek life. These students' commitment to this organization is remarkable, and I cannot wait to see how they integrate our values and principles into the Mercer community.”
