Changes

Gamma Chi at The George Washington University and Gamma Psi at the University of Maryland have the distinction of being the only two Kappa Kappa Gamma chapters to be installed at the same time, June 7, 1929; and in the same place, the College Park house of the Maryland local, Sigma Delta. They were known as “The Heavenly Twins.”

As the 1960s opened, the university had a strong Greek system. As late as the fall of 1967 it was a privilege, an honor, and fun to be a Greek at George Washington. It remained a privilege and honor to be a Kappa, but as national and international events threw Washington into turmoil, it became less and less enjoyable. The seeds of protest and change had been germinated. A U.S. President, a presidential candidate, and a civil rights leader had been assassinated. Washington led the nation in the rise of delinquency and the use of narcotics. The “group” approach and the Establishment were challenged. The Civil Rights Movement exploded into violence when Martin Luther King, Jr., was slain in the spring of 1968. The Peace Movement against U.S. military intervention into Southeast Asia became another revolution of protest. Confrontation took place in the streets, in organizations and on campuses.

In the winter of 1970, a Panhellenic meeting was called so that the seven remaining groups could determine a course: to stay, or to recommend general withdrawal. The then Gamma Chi President was the next to last speaker. The entire tenor had been, “It’s no use … we don’t have fun or even like each other … what are we here for? … Greeks are no longer wanted on campus.” But with a few careful words, she brought the entire meeting to a re-appraisal. She declared, in part, “Something must be wrong with Kappa. We love our pledges, we love each other and our alums. We are staying. When you have left, we shall be here. We’ll welcome you back, and we’ll be the oldest and only continuous chapter on campus.” Six of the seven decided to remain. By the fall, however, only three groups were left: Kappa, Delta Gamma and Kappa Alpha Theta.

In 1985 and 1986 the Panhellenic Association is reactivated following the installations of Alpha Epsilon Phi and Sigma Delta Tau, joining Phi Sigma Sigma and Delta Theta. Kappa Kappa Gamma, as the oldest chapter on campus, is responsible for forming Panhellenic.

The Office of Campus Life awarded Gamma Chi an “Outstanding Chapter Award of 1991” over all Greek organizations on campus. The Washington, D.C. Alumnae Association honored us with a scholarship award for the highest GPA, at 3.1. And at Province Meeting at the University of North Carolina, Gamma Chi received awards for pledge, membership and social graciousness. For philanthropies we sponsored an owl at the National Zoo, collected grocery receipts raising $7,507 to buy computers for schools, support “Kappa Korner,” a reading room at D.C. General Hospital, funded by a car wash with Pi Kappa Alpha, sponsored a walk to benefit AIDS and held a successful blood drive with Sigma Alpha Epsilon, breaking our record from the previous year.

Early in the decade the university built Townhouse Row and we were thrilled to have a home at last. In the fall of 2005, we welcomed 28 new members, hosted Founders Day with a display of historical documents and photographs of our chapter's rich legacy. Our new philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental, has been a great addition this year, as we made bookmarks for local schools. Our Kappa Kickball raises funds for our RIF events. Upon the building of townhouse row three years ago, Kappa was awarded the F house, one of the coveted positions on campus. With eight sororities and twelve fraternities on campus, now Gamma Chi had to prove their right to keep their home, banding together and participating in every Greek function on campus, strengthening our unity as a chapter. Our officers created a fantastic presentation highlighting our chapter strengths and goals and the university offered us another year in the house.

In 2011, our chapter was put on social and disciplinary probation and has lost our house due to hazing allegations. While Gamma Chi is not defined by bricks and morter, we value the time we have spent in our townhouse. Members from every pledge class visit the house when they need the support of their sisters, and our town house is a place where sisters can bond and be their true selves. Chapter Council has met every Sunday before our chapter meetings to discuss how we are going to keep morale high and encourage the sisters to keep their heads up through this tough time. In placing as one of the Gold Chapters on campus in Spring 2009, we are confident that our chapter will shine even without our townhouse. Furthermore, Chapter Council agrees that there needs to be more transparency between chapter members, chapter council, Headquarters and the University. Communication and trust is one of the most effective ways that our Chapter can prove how kind and thoughtful we are.

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