Feb. 26, 2016
Community
From left to right: Louisa Carasco, Luisanna Marte, Julia Cruz, Eleanor Boateng, Brittany Severson and Jully Gomez are the members of Sigma Lambda Gamma.
Aryol Prater
One Home — Continued from page 2 — “I remember telling Julie Dold, I need a home for Latina and multicultural students and females on this campus, and that’s why I wanted to bring it [Sigma Lambda Gamma] here,” Gomez said. Coinciding with the racecharged events of last semester, including a racist and homophobic letter to Dr. John D. Youngblood,
an associate professor of the Department of English and Communication followed by a series of protests, the arrival of Sigma Lambda Gamma on campus is something that Julie Dold, director of Greek Life, said she is looking forward to. “As we continue to grow, improve, and heal, it is good to have as many opportunities as we can for people to support inclusive excellence,” Dold said. “I think that Sigma Lambda Gamma will be a
tremendous asset to the campus, especially now.” Many students and staff members have wondered why it has taken so long for SUNY Potsdam to induct the first multicultural sorority, but several organizations have tried before. Dold said that students have attempted in the past to start a multicultural Greek organization here, but due to the location being a big hindrance, national groups have often not had the resources to support starting a chapter here.
the Racquette
This left those individuals stuck and preventing both Greek life and students from moving forward. Sophomore Eleanor Boateng, a Bronx-born founding sister and chapter president, said that her experience was one that taught her to be proud of her Ghanaian roots, and to embrace the cultures of her line sisters as well. With an eclectic group that represents Haitian, Ghanaian, Colombian, African and Dominican cultures, she said that it has changed her view on what it means to be part of a sorority and the representation that reflects such backgrounds. “[For] girls of color who want to join sororities but don’t feel like other sororities will reflect them and their values, SLG most likely will because SLG was founded by women of color and open to all women of all backgrounds,” Boateng said. The presence of Sigma Lambda
5
Gamma is seen as important step for the Potsdam community. Every Greek organization has their unique purpose. Given that SLG is a Latina-based sorority, Dold said that they have a duty to promote cultural awareness and to take pride in the cultures that comprise the members of the sorority. “This is a great addition to the Greek community, and most importantly for students who are looking to have this type of fraternal experience,” Dold said. According to their website, Sigma Lambda Gamma’s philanthropy includes breast cancer awareness. Gomez said that they will also be working with TRiO, a group that, according to their website, “helps provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.” Sigma Lambda Gamma recently had their first spring informational on Feb. 2, but are looking to bring more interest to the public with their “Beauty Night with The Gammas” event on March 17.
Are you interested in sharing your voice with the Potsdam Community? Do you have a story about cultural experiences you have encountered or stigmas your have faced? Submit to our Community Page! Send your stories to racquette@potsdam.edu or to Dr. Jennifer Mitchell of DIAC at mitchejk@potsdam.edu.