It all started late one evening during the Spring semester of 1982 when USF Sophomore Carrie Minucciani knocked on the office door of DZ alumna Janet Kerr, who happened to be a Speech Communications teacher at USF . Carrie’s sister, Terri Lynn, was a Delta Zeta at San Jose State and Carrie wished to start a chapter of Delta Zeta at USF. Carrie learned of Janet’s active involvement in Delta Zeta as a regional advisor and believed she would be an influential voice to persuade the USF administration to allow a sorority to be formed on campus.
Initially, the university was not supportive of the idea of a sorority on campus. Even Delta Zeta was wary of establishing a sorority on a campus that was considered to be comprised heavily of commuter students.Noted Janet Kerr in her letter to the chapter on the occasion of Xi Lambda’s 20th anniversary in 2003:
“I met a very nice group of students… who had responded positively to the idea of creating a social sorority on the campus as a way of expanding opportunities to get to know more students. While the local DZ alumnae from the Mu Chapter at Berkeley and other chapters were quite enthusiastic and supportive of the idea, the University wasn’t quite so sure that it wanted to embrace the notion of social fraternities and sororities. I suspect that some of the administrators felt that greek letter organizations may be contrary to the egalitarian spirit of the campus and of Jesuit Universities in general. The national DZ office was also somewhat hesitant. USF was very commuter oriented and National’s success at commuter schools had been mixed.”
Yet despite the perceived challenges, the University and Delta Zeta embarked on a journey to bring the first social sorority to USF—one that was the most diverse of any existing Delta Zeta Chapter at that time. And, even to this day, that commitment to diversity remains a hallmark of our chapter.
Janet Kerr further explains “ Delta Zeta was the only sorority at USF and it was a bold experiment that we undertook. Our group was very diverse—another first for Delta Zeta, but that was part of the secret of our success in my opinion. It was obvious that we would be inclusive, not exclusive and welcome any young women who had the desire to share the DZ experience.”
In the Fall of 1982, Carrie and a handful of other interested women planned a serious of parties for the purpose of recruiting additional women to Delta Zeta. At the conclusion of those recruitment events, there were 30 women interested in being a part of the sisterhood of Delta Zeta. Janet Kerr became the first college chapter director and faculty advisor.
The first year was spent as a colony awaiting formal installation as Chapter of Delta Zeta. During that time weekly meetings were held for the purpose of learning about Delta Zeta’s rich heritage, and establishing the necessary operating procedures to ensure the chapter’s success. Additionally, the women busied themselves with campus events, contributing to the community through service projects, holding social events and, most importantly, participating in activities aimed at nurturing the sisterhood that was beginning to take root and flourish.
With Delta Zeta firmly established on campus, the Xi lambda Chapter of Delta Zeta was officially installed as a chapter on April 23, 1983 with the support of the Collegiate Chapter of Delta Zeta at San Jose State and neighboring alumnae (especially those from the dormant chapter at UC Berkeley). At the installation banquet and tea, more than 300 friends, parents, alumnae, and campus officials, including USF President Rev. John LoSchiavo showered the chapter with compliments and congratulations. This was no small feat: from a tentative group of women –most of whom were strangers to each other—to a vibrant sisterhood in a few short months.
Over the years, the Delta Zeta Chapter at University of san Francisco has attained success by remaining focuses focused on the key tenants upon which we were founded: Service, Scholarship, Leadership and Sisterhood.
Leveraging the tremendous resources and opportunities available to the chapter through the University and the city at large, Delta Zeta established a reputation for its active engagement in the USF campus and the larger community of San Francisco. Delta Zetas contributed their time, talent, and money to a spectrum of causes during the past 29 years . Most notably, the chapter has staged a Teeter-Totter-A-Thon for the last 18 years to raise money for select local and national organizations supporting the speech and hearing impaired.
Leadership is also a hallmark of our chapter. Delta Zetas are outstanding leaders and take immense pride in their involvement on campus—so much so that 100% of all Delta Zetas are involved in other campus/ community organizations. Throughout the years, Delta Zetas have left their imprint on various organizations such as: academic honor societies, student government, Campus Activity Board, Greek Council, academic and cultural-oriented organizations, philanthropic clubs, religious organizations, and intramural sports.
The Chapter is also proud of its academic accomplishments and have been consistently acknowledged for their chapter GPA that ranks among the best of campus Greek organizations as well as among Delta Zeta Chapters.
Our involvement in the Community, our dedication to supporting the aims of the University, our emphasis on academic excellence, and our firm commitment to the ideals of sisterhood and friendship enabled Delta Zeta to flourish. In 2012, we receive recognition as the USF Greek Organization of the Year. Additionally, the chapter received a Crest Award at our 2012 Delta Zeta National Convention for excellence in all aspects of chapter programming and operations-- an honor bestowed on less than ten chapters each biennium.
On this, the occasion of our 30th year at University of San Francisco, we give thanks to everyone—members, alumnae, school administration, fellow students and the community at large-- who have nurtured our chapter over these years.
May the Delta Zeta Flame endure and be passed on to future generations.
