Students have set up Trinity’s first-ever sorority, an “unofficial, semi-secret group”.
Sororities are typically understood to be secretive, all-female societies found across college campuses in the US, often associated with hazing or initiation ceremonies.
In an email statement to The University Times, Eve Wright, the Secretary of Trinity’s new sorority said: “While traditionally sororities are girl-only secret societies, our sorority is open to everyone.”
Wright continued: “The term ‘sorority’ does have some stigma attached, but we can assure everyone that there is no hazing or cliques involved in our society. Our goal is to make new friends, support each other and uplift students on campus who feel like they don’t have a place in other societies.”
Members of the sorority hope to “create a place where people of all backgrounds can come together and make new friends”, Wright said.
Since its inception in March, the sorority has held an EGM in Trinity’s rose garden, as well as hosting Wine Wednesdays in the Pavilion Bar. Other events that the group has planned for the rest of the semester include meditation sessions in the rose garden, friendship bracelet workshops and picnics.
Wright also said that the group is intending to raise money for charity: “Our society is philanthropic, so anything that we do to raise money is all done for charity.”
“There’s no pressure to sign up, come to weekly meetings, adhere to CSC guidelines or have a certain interest or hobby”, she said. As such, the group is not yet recognised by the Central Societies Committee (CSC).
The sorority is free to join, although a contribution of €2 per member is appreciated.
Wright said that while the response to the establishment of the sorority has been positive, “some people are a bit concerned about hazing rituals, bullying or other negative aspects associated with sororities”. However, she said that “for the most part people have found it really fun to be part of a semi-secret society”.
In 2012, The University Times reported that a branch of the US-based Zeta Psi fraternity was set up in Trinity under the name “Theta Omicron”. The fraternity is an invite-only, all-male organisation, which, according to one member who spoke to The University Times, is focused on “lad culture, suit-wearing and drinking”.
