Statement of Acknowledgment of Involvement in Past Exclusionary Practices as Well as a Commitment to Reform
As a chapter, it is important to express our solidarity with the black community, along with other marginalized groups. We have been passively complicit in a discriminatory system for far too long. We recognize the barriers not only in joining a Greek organization such as Kappa Alpha Theta but access to higher education in its entirety. Our Beta Xi chapter must take responsibility for our actions and ensure that our members are educated about these practices and what must change. Overall, our goal is to acknowledge, welcome, support, and celebrate women from all walks of life.
Acts of ignorance such as the use of racial slurs, microaggressions, and past exclusionary actions in recruitment cycles on an international level have not reflected the principles Theta was founded upon. As a chapter, we do not condone this racist behavior performed by other chapters. We are committed to reform and learn from our mistakes.
We fully acknowledge that an Instagram post or any performative action will not suffice in changing such a deeply rooted issue. But as long as the Theta continues to exist it is our prerogative to recognize the immense privileges we have to achieve change and take concrete, actionable steps to do so. Starting in 2020, Theta headquarters has implemented task forces that address issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion concerns across several programming areas (finances, recruitment, ritual, etc.). We have stopped using the legacy policy in recruitment and implemented officers committed to DEI. This committee is responsible for holding events to educate the chapter and help the community around us. This committee is responsible for coordinating diversity training on topics such as microaggressions and unconscious biases. We also created a monthly newsletter in order to educate our members as well as document our progress. We are committed to holding each individual member accountable and providing a space for these uncomfortable, but necessary conversations.
In 2020, Theta headquarters reviewed our organization’s recruitment policies through a racial lens and discovered the discrimination that underlies the “legacy” tradition. “Legacies” are women who had a relative who previously belonged to a Kappa Alpha Theta chapter, and this connection gave them an advantage when being considered for membership during the recruitment cycle. As many legacies were the result of membership in the sorority decades earlier, it was a practice that reflected racial discrimination in the 20th-century, when many non-white women were unable to attend higher education and restricted from sorority involvement. Therefore, we have removed the legacy practice to eliminate the advantage to what was mostly women from white families.
Commitment to Financial Transparency
2024 Spring Quarter Dues Active Dues: $405 Panhellenic fees: $8 Total: $413 One time per capita fee: $184 National Panhellenic Conference fee: $5 Live-out Facility Fee: $693 Live-in Facility Fee: $3276
** Dues are all-inclusive meaning that membership comes at no extra cost
In addition to scholarships and grants, Theta offers payment plans and inactivity available for hardships.
Each year Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation supports hundreds of women, providing more than $800,000 in scholarships to make academic dreams a reality. The amount awarded for each scholarship varies depending on the award received, but the range is a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $12,000. Depending on an applicant’s qualifications, they may receive more than one scholarship and can receive more than one type of scholarship (merit- and need-based) in a given year.
A woman will be automatically considered for any of the 100+ scholarships for which she qualifies after she submits Theta Foundation’s posted application. Applicants who select the “Need-based” application type and who have complete applications will be considered for both merit-based and need-based scholarships. As long as one meets the current general eligibility guidelines, the only restriction is that each recipient is limited to a maximum of $40,000 in Theta Foundation scholarships and grants during their lifetime. Each scholarship application cycle is held separately from previous cycles, so the opportunity for an applicant to receive a scholarship is renewed each year.