{{Short description|Social sorority at Dartmouth College, US}} {{For|sigma-delta in electronics|Delta-sigma modulation}} {{Infobox fraternity | name = Sigma Delta | letters = {{lang|grc|ΣΔ}} | coat of arms = | crest = Sigma_Delta_logo.png | image_size = 180px | alt = | founded = {{Start date and age|1988}} | birthplace = Dartmouth College | affiliation = Independent | affiliation2 = | former_affiliation = Sigma Kappa (1977-1988) | status = Active | type = Social sorority | scope = Local | motto = <!-- or | mottos = --> | pillars = Strength, Friendship, and Acceptance of Difference | colors = <!-- use and around the colors --> | symbol = Snake | flag = <!-- use and around the flag file name --> | tree = | mascot = | publication = | philanthropy = | chapters = 1 | members = | lifetime = 174 | nickname = <!-- or | nicknames = --> | address = 10 West Wheelock Street | city = Hanover | state = New Hampshire | ZIP code = 03755 | country = United States | coordinates = {{Coord|43.70216|N|72.29116|W|region:US_NH_type:landmark|display=it}} }} '''Sigma Delta''' ('''{{lang|grc|ΣΔ}}''') is a local collegiate sorority at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire in the United States. It was established in 1988 when it withdrew from the North American social sorority Sigma Kappa.
== History == Sigma Delta was founded in May 1977 at Dartmouth College as the Zeta Lambda chapter of Sigma Kappa national sorority.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2024-08-30 |title=Sigma Delta {{!}} Greek Life and Societies |url=https://students.dartmouth.edu/greek-life/greek-chapters/overview/intersorority-council/sigma-delta |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=Dartmouth College |language=en}}</ref> It was the first sorority to be founded on Dartmouth's campus. Women were not permitted to enroll at Dartmouth until 1972; the sorority provided a place where the college's coed students could meet.
By the late 1980s, Dartmouth's student population had diversified and the Sigma Kappa chapter experienced an influx of minority women who wished to have not only a female space, but also a space that would embrace their personal identities as women regardless of age, class, religion, or ethnicity. In the fall of 1988, Dartmouth's Sigma Kappa chapter split from the national organization and became a local sorority.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Sigma Delta |url=https://www.sigmadelt.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803091818/https://www.sigmadelt.org/ |archive-date=August 3, 2022 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Sigma Delta |language=en-US}}</ref> Its members made this decision to move away from "the patriarchal, puritanical and heteronormative conventions ingrained in sororities affiliated with national chapters".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Czachor |first=Emily Mae |date=2015-02-02 |title=Dartmouth Sorority: It's OUR Party! |url=https://msmagazine.com/2015/02/02/dartmouth-sorority-its-our-party/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Ms. Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> In addition, they felt that the national sorority's rituals were too heavily steeped in religion.<ref name=":0" />
The sorority changed its name to Sigma Delta and was established as Dartmouth's first local sorority. It is not affiliated with the National Panhellenic Conference.<ref name=":1" /> As of 2025, Sigma Delta has initiated 174 members.<ref name=":3" />
== Symbols == The sorority's symbol is the snake. Its philosophy or pillars are strength, friendship, and acceptance of difference.<ref name=":0" />thumb|Sigma Delta house, 2007
== Chapter house == The Sigma Delta chapter house is located at 10 Westlock Street in Hanover, New Hampshire.<ref name=":0" /> The house is owned by Dartmouth College.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.sigmadelt.org/about-us |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803103642/https://www.sigmadelt.org/about-us |archive-date=August 3, 2022 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Sigma Delta |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Membership == Sigma Delta's membership is open to all students who identify as female, are gender nonconforming, and are nonbinary.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Marco |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Amid ambiguity, ISC, sororities examine rules for non-binary inclusivity |url=https://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2020/05/amid-ambiguity-isc-sororities-examine-rules-for-non-binary-inclusivity |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=The Dartmouth |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
== Notable alumni == * Connie Britton - actress * Jasmine Drolet - Olympic skier<ref>{{cite web |last=Becque|first=Fran|date=4 February 2026|title=Fraternity and Sorority Members Competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics|url=https://www.franbecque.com/|website=Fraternity History & More|location=|publisher=|access-date=9 February 2026}}</ref> * Michaela Hesová - Olympic ice hockey player * Mindy Kaling - writer and actress
== Controversies == In September 2010, Sigma Delta was charged with three counts of serving alcohol to minors during three incidents in the spring and fall of 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Mark |date=2010-10-02 |title=Town, Greek System, at Odds Again |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-news-town-greek-system-at-odds/159193033/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Newspapers.com |publisher=Valley News |page=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-news-town-greek-system-at-odds/159193033/ A1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-news-hanover-charges-sorority-wit/159193408/ A5] |language=en-US |publication-place=West Lebanon, New Hampshire}}</ref>
In 2015, Dartmouth's sororities decided to ban alcohol. However, Sigma Delta was able to reject this decision because it is an independent sorority and not a part of the National Panhellenic Council.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 19, 2015 |title=Sorority Anti-Rape Idea: Drinking on Own Turf |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/20/us/sorority-anti-rape-idea-drinking-on-own-turf.html?referrer&_r=3 |access-date=November 16, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
== See also ==
* Dartmouth College fraternities and sororities * List of social sororities and women's fraternities * Cultural interest fraternities and sororities
== References == {{Reflist}}{{Dartmouth College}}
Category:Dartmouth College fraternities and sororities Category:Sigma Kappa Category:Student organizations established in 1988 Category:Local fraternities and sororities Category:Fraternities and sororities in the United States Category:1988 establishments in Vermont