Education

Harvard Sorority Goes Gender-Neutral After School’s Single-Gender Ban

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The Harvard chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma announced Monday it disbanded from its national organization and has reformed as a gender-neutral social club.

Kappa Kappa Gamma is the first Harvard sorority to become gender-neutral after the school adopted a policy that punishes members of single-gender groups, reported The Harvard Crimson Monday. The sorority has rebranded as the Fleur-de-Lis, a group that, while intended for “female-identifying individuals,” will be open to men.

“The formation of The Fleur is the culmination of numerous discussions spanning the last two or so years within Harvard’s Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma and with the administration,” said Tiana Menon, president of the Fleur-de-Lis. “[Administrators] have helped shape the path we as a group have chosen to pursue.”

Menon noted the influence of Harvard’s December 2017 policy banning members of single-gender groups from holding campus leadership offices, becoming varsity athletic captains, and receiving Harvard endorsement for programs like the Rhodes Scholarship. At one point, a Harvard faculty committee was considering banning single-gender groups entirely. (RELATED: Harvard Faculty Committee Recommends Banning Frats)

“This kind of positive change is made possible by our students’ leadership in creating environments and cultures rooted in respect and inclusion,” said Rakesh Khurana, Harvard dean, according to The Crimson. “As members of this community, we all have an opportunity to strengthen our culture both for current students and future generations, and I applaud the Fleur-de-Lis on their efforts.”

Fleur-de-Lis is the first sorority at Harvard to gender-neutral and follows the September 2017 decisions by fraternities Kappa Sigma and Alpha Epsilon Phi to open their doors to students regardless of gender.

The national KKG chapter declined to comment to The Daily Caller News Foundation.

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