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The Daily OrangeJunior aims to start SU's first Native American sorority chapter
By Mary Georger
Posted: 11/13/08, 3:47 AM EST Section: News
National statistics are similar. The number of American Indians/Alaska Natives earning college degrees has more than doubled for each degree level since 1976, according to the United States Department of Education. In 2006, 49 percent of males and 44 percent of females within the American Indian/Alaska Native population earned a bachelor's degree, according to the department's National Center for Education Statistics.
"I've definitely noticed an increase in the amount of Native Americans on campus over the past couple of years," said Jenna Rae Gansworth, a senior political science and psychology major and Native American from the Tuscarora Nation. Gansworth said she is a supporter of a Native American sorority on campus.
"A sorority would provide Natives a familiar, supportive environment," Gansworth said. "We all come from similar backgrounds, so we can relate on a lot of levels."
The idea of establishing a Native American sorority has been discussed for a few years, Gansworth said, but Mohawk will be the first to take the initial step for recognition. She said starting a sorority now would be an opportune time, as SU has the largest Native American student population in its history, and more people would mean a larger support network for Native Americans.
Stephanie Waterman, a former SU student, conducted a study published in "The Journal of American Indian Education," discussing the college experiences of Haudenosaunee college students.
Native American students are likely to drop out of schooling when the culture of their home community is discontinuous with that of the school, according to the study.
"At the end of the day, I identify myself most with Natives," Mohawk said. "I think that female camaraderie is very important."
Though SU does not have a Native American sorority, Alpha Pi Omega is a national sorority that was started in 1994 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mohawk does not know if the SU sorority would be affiliated with the national chapter, because of the different Native values and beliefs from across the country.
"I've definitely noticed an increase in the amount of Native Americans on campus over the past couple of years," said Jenna Rae Gansworth, a senior political science and psychology major and Native American from the Tuscarora Nation. Gansworth said she is a supporter of a Native American sorority on campus.
"A sorority would provide Natives a familiar, supportive environment," Gansworth said. "We all come from similar backgrounds, so we can relate on a lot of levels."
The idea of establishing a Native American sorority has been discussed for a few years, Gansworth said, but Mohawk will be the first to take the initial step for recognition. She said starting a sorority now would be an opportune time, as SU has the largest Native American student population in its history, and more people would mean a larger support network for Native Americans.
Stephanie Waterman, a former SU student, conducted a study published in "The Journal of American Indian Education," discussing the college experiences of Haudenosaunee college students.
Native American students are likely to drop out of schooling when the culture of their home community is discontinuous with that of the school, according to the study.
"At the end of the day, I identify myself most with Natives," Mohawk said. "I think that female camaraderie is very important."
Though SU does not have a Native American sorority, Alpha Pi Omega is a national sorority that was started in 1994 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mohawk does not know if the SU sorority would be affiliated with the national chapter, because of the different Native values and beliefs from across the country.
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