NATIONAL HISTORY
When Ms. Anh Ngoc Nguyen began her education at the University of Georgia, it was difficult to find friends who could understand and relate to her Asian background. In the predominantly white school of 30,000 students, minorities, especially Asians, were very under represented. Worse, was the lack of unity amongst the few Asians on campus. In the Winter of 1998, Ms. Anh Ngoc Nguyen and Ms. Theresa Sung discussed the idea of creating an Asian-interest sorority at the University of Georgia. With the support of her family and friends, Ms. Nguyen began her quest to find other females who shared a common belief: promoting Asian awareness through sisterhood. Her quest led to the formation of the founding class.
The founders felt a need for an Asian-interest sorority to promote Asian awareness on campus. They wanted to educate their peers about the Asian culture and to strip away the stereotypes that were attributed to Asians. They felt that a sorority would serve the community much better than joining a club because they felt the Asian clubs were often limited in serving the entire Asian community as a whole. Because these organizations were often segregated into their own ethnic backgrounds, they tended to promote their own culture. The founding sisters felt that Asian cultures could be better exhibited and promoted on campus through a sorority.
Also, the ever changing status and membership enrollments in these clubs varied from semester to semester due to the lack of mandatory attendance policies and motivation, making it difficult to form lasting friendships. The turnovers of officers at elections were often dramatic and often led to strife within the clubs. It was not a matter of who was the best person for the job, but who had the most support. In addition, most students who move away from home to attend college get homesick. Thus, the sorority wanted to provide a sisterhood for girls with the guidance and support similar to that of a family. With these goals in mind, the founding class: Anh Ngoc Nguyen, Theresa Sung, Sarah Chong Mi Cho, Carmela De Guzman, Yvonne Minh Ta, Linh Khanh Do, and Rebecca Kim Stephenson took on the enormous task of creating Delta Phi Lambda on December 5, 1998. They suffered many setbacks and heartbreaks facing opposition from their school, peers, and competitors, but they were adamant in their beliefs and continued their mission to create an organization that nurtures the talents of its future members.
QUICK FACTS
FOUNDED
December 5, 1998, at the University of Georgia
FOUNDERS
Anh Ngoc Nguyen, Theresa Sung, Sarah Chong Mi Cho, Carmela deGuzman, Yvonne Minh Ta, Linh Khanh Do, and Rebecca Kim Stephenson
VIRTUES
Loyalty, Honesty, Respect, Dedication, Integrity, Discipline & Academic Excellence
ALSO KNOWN AS
DFL, DPhiL, Dedicated Female Leaders®, Ladies in Navy Blue & Silver
CHAPTERS
22 Collegiate Chapters, 4 Alumnae Chapters
PHRASES
Dedicated Female Leaders ®, Everlasting Sisterhood ®,
Let Our Light Shine Forth.
AFFILIATIONS
National APIA Panhellenic Association (NAPA)
As a founding member of the National APIDA Panhellenic Association, we strive to uphold the organizations mission. NAPA serves to advocate the needs of its member organizations and provides a forum to share ideas and resources within its members. NAPA supports the development of positive relations through open communication with interfraternal partners to enrich the fraternal experience. LEARN MORE HERE
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY
Osteoporosis Awareness & Prevention
Partnering with American Bone Health
Our collaboration with American Bone Health provides opportunities to educate local communities about risk factors and preventative measures for Osteoporosis. LEARN MORE HERE
MAGAZINE
The Jade Times builds relationships and strengthens bonds of Delta Phi Lambda's sisterhood through the celebration of culture, community, education, and women.
POLICIES
RISK MANAGEMENT
Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. abides by the most current FIPG Risk Management Policy (adopted January 2013)
The Risk Management Policy of FIPG, Inc. includes the provisions, which follow and shall apply to all fraternity entities and all levels of fraternity membership.
ALCHOHOL & DRUGS
The possession, sale, use or consumption of ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, while on chapter premises or during a fraternity event, in any situation sponsored or endorsed by the chapter, or at any event an observer would associate with the fraternity, must be in compliance with any and all applicable laws of the state, province, county, city and institution of higher education, and must comply with either the BYOB or Third Party Vendor Guidelines.
No alcoholic beverages may be purchased through or with chapter funds nor may the purchase of same for members or guests be undertaken or coordinated by any member in the name of or on behalf of the chapter. The purchase or use of a bulk quantity or common source(s) of alcoholic beverage, for example, kegs or cases, is prohibited.
OPEN PARTIES, meaning those with unrestricted access by non-members of the fraternity, without specific invitation, where alcohol is present, are prohibited.
No members, collectively or individually, shall purchase for, serve to, or sell alcoholic beverages to any minor (i.e., those under legal drinking age).
The possession, sale or use of any ILLEGAL DRUGS or CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES while on chapter premises or during a fraternity event or at any event that an observer would associate with the fraternity is strictly prohibited.
No chapter may co-sponsor an event with an alcohol distributor or tavern (tavern defined as an establishment generating more than half of annual gross sales from alcohol) at which alcohol is given away, sold or otherwise provided to those present. This includes any event held in, at or on the property of a tavern as defined above for purposes of fundraising. However, a chapter may rent or use a room or area in a tavern as defined above for a closed event held within the provisions of this policy, including the use of a third party vendor and guest list. An event at which alcohol is present may be conducted or co-sponsored with a charitable organization if the event is held within the provisions of this policy.
No chapter may co-sponsor, co-finance or attend or participate in a function at which alcohol is purchased by any of the host chapters, groups or organizations.
All recruitment or rush activities associated with any chapter will be non-alcoholic. No recruitment or rush activities associated with any chapter may be held at or in conjunction with a tavern or alcohol distributor as defined in this policy.
No member or pledge, associate/new member or novice shall permit, tolerate, encourage or participate in “drinking games.” The definition of drinking games includes but is not limited to the consumption of shots of alcohol, liquor or alcoholic beverages, the practice of consuming shots equating to one’s age, “beer pong,” “century club,” “dares” or any other activity involving the consumption of alcohol which involves duress or encouragement related to the consumption of alcohol.
No alcohol shall be present at any pledge/associate member/new member/novice program, activity or ritual of the chapter. This includes but is not limited to activities associated with “bid night,” “big brother – little brother” events or activities, / “big sister – little sister” events or activities, “family” events or activities and initiation.
SEXUAL ABUSE & HARASSMENT
The fraternity will not tolerate or condone any form of sexist or sexually abusive behavior on the part of its members, whether physical, mental or emotional. This is to include any actions, activities or events, whether on chapter premises or an off-site location which are demeaning to women or men, including but not limited to verbal harassment, sexual assault by individuals or members acting together. Legal liability is a reality in incidents, situations or occurrences of sexual abuse. Victims of sexual assault may be able to sue the perpetrator, even though criminal charges are not filed or are dismissed. The chapter, chapter officers, and others may be named in a lawsuit if an incident of sexual abuse occurs at an event or function that can be associated with the chapter.
A chapter will not tolerate or condone any form of sexist or sexually abusive behavior on the part of its members, whether physical, mental, or emotional. This is to include any actions that are demeaning to men or women, ranging from assault to harassment or the objectification of individuals.
A chapter will not sponsor or participate in any activity, including competitive games, community service or philanthropic endeavors, activities associated with recruitment, social events, or events related to activities such as homecoming that are abusive or demeaning to human beings.
The employment or use of strippers, exotic dancers or similar, whether professional or amateur, at a fraternity event as defined in this policy is prohibited.
SOCIAL EVENT & FUNCTIONS
General Policy
All Delta Phi Lambda Collegiate members and their invited guests must be aware of and comply with the following policies:
All Collegiate, Affiliate, and Alumnae members and guests must be in compliance with state laws, university regulations, local ordinances, and national policies.
Any Delta Phi Lambda social events with other organizations or non-members shall not involve overnight accommodations.
Any Delta Phi Lambda events held at a men’s fraternity facility must comply with the fraternity’s national/local rules and resolutions and any campus-wide alcohol-free initiatives.
Open parties are prohibited. There shall be a defined and restricted guest list available at every sponsored or co-sponsored Delta Phi Lambda event. Anyone visibly intoxicated should not be allowed admittance to a Delta Phi Lambda event.
Pre- and post-social function parties are never approved. Such parties and the attendance by Collegiate members and Affiliate members are not condoned and will not be tolerated by Delta Phi Lambda.
Co-sponsored social function attendees are limited to chapter members and potential members of both sponsoring groups.
Each chapter shall have adequate liability and other acceptable insurance protection through the national organization.
Chapters may not sponsor or co-sponsor a function or event where firearms will be made available for use.
Chapters must abide by the Social Event Hosting Guide for planning social events and functions.
Contract Policy
All contracts must be reviewed prior to signing by the Regional Governors.
Only the chapter President or chapter Vice President of Finance may sign contracts on behalf of the chapter. Other officers or members who sign contracts may be personally liable.
NON-DISCRIMINATORY
Delta Phi Lambda is fully committed to a policy against legally impermissible, arbitrary, or unreasonable discriminatory practices or procedures. Any individual who lives and identifies as a woman is eligible for membership in Delta Phi Lambda. Individuals who do not live and identify as a woman are not eligible for membership, even if they were assigned female at birth. The membership status of initiated members who undergo a change in gender identity or gender expression will not be affected, so long as the member agrees to continue to uphold the values and mission of Delta Phi Lambda. Our organization will be mindful of each potential member’s personal situations that may conflict with sorority activities provided that these situations are communicated in a timely manner with the current members of our organization and as such, those potential members will not be barred from the opportunity for membership due to those circumstances beyond their control. As an organization that strives for Asian awareness through sisterhood, we exemplify and appreciate the value of diversity and express respect for each individual and what they offer to our organization. No chapter shall permit discrimination in membership selection, initiation, chapter operations, or other activities of the Sorority based upon any person’s race, color, national origin, age, religion, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or disability.
UNRECOGNIZED GROUPS
Delta Phi Lambda, while respecting the First Amendment rights of individuals at public and private institutions to associate, supports the discretion of host institutions to recognize or to suspend recognition of Greek letter organizations. Chapters of Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. are not permitted to affiliate with an organization, chapter, or member of an organization or chapter that is not recognized by their respective university. This includes organizations, chapters, or members that may be at a nearby university of a Delta Phi Lambda Chapter and applies to any event that an observer would associate with Delta Phi Lambda. Chapters or groups of individual members who violate this policy will be referred to the National Executive Board for investigation.
POLITICAL NEUTRALITY
It is the policy of Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. to remain neutral on any political topic and candidate. The essential functions of the sorority require strict institutional neutrality, integrity, and independence regarding partisan political activities. The sorority shall not provide material support, whether monetary or otherwise (including the publishing or distribution of statements), concerning any particular government, administrative agency, government official, political party, politician, political campaign, political movement, insurgent group, terrorist entity, or political agenda. This policy is to protect the neutrality of the sorority in the course of political activities that involve members of the organization.