The Quad | Photo by Cheyenne Waddell | Edited by Jessica Fugett | The Wright State Guardian
Wright State University (WSU) members are currently attempting to secure funding for Divine 9 plots. While the location is still undetermined, the support from the community and the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is unwavering.
NPHC
NPHC is a coalition of the nine largest historically African American Greek-letter sororities and fraternities.
Initiate of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc and current President of the Association of Black Business Students (ABBS) Dai’Shanae Moore is active within the WSU community through her sorority.
“NPCH not only promotes education and achievements in every field, it also bears witness to social injustice. The Divine 9 fraternities and sororities are collaborated together to try and bring a sense of community for minorities at Wright State,” said Moore.
Divine 9 plots
According to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc initiate and Student Government Association (SGA) President Adrian Williams, the Divine 9 plots would be a way for WSU to have a dedicated space on campus for minorities.
“I think it’s important to have space that minority students can go on campus and know that it’s a place they can be proud of. It would be a place they can have events, they can use for programming and they can take their kids to when they graduate,” said Williams.
While Moore is a legacy of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc, they are still trying to push for the plots to show representation at WSU and have a space for mentorships to feel welcome.
The Divine 9 plot will feature an open area with a flag and a plaque. Though the plans are not finalized, each organization would have their own area and share the space for yard shows.
“We would be the first public and predominantly white institution in Ohio to have a Diving 9 plot,” said Williams.
According to Williams, the plots would honor all of the previous NPHC members and current member’s accomplishments throughout the years.
Bumps in the road
According to Moore, one of the biggest issues currently is seeing things through on both sides. As in, what NPHC wants and what WSU wants.
Fall 2019 initiate of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc and University College senator for SGA Jeff Shehee has also noticed this situation.
“We’ll state our problems and say what’s wrong, but then what will happen is the university will say, ‘Okay, we recognize those problems’ and we’ll hold meetings and then we’ll hold sessions talking about those problems and rather than the university helping us come up with a solution, they just say, ‘We recognize your problems,’ and they stop there,” said Shehee.
According to Williams, they place no blame on the university, however, there are always things in the background that people do not think of that the university has to. WSU is taxpayer funded, so those funds and everything is accountable to someone.
“It just takes a long time and it’s a slog, and I think the only reason we were able to break through this semester is just because of the perfect storm of everything working together,” said Williams.
If readers wish to donate to the Divine 9 plot funds, email Greek Advisor Gina Keucher at gina.keucher@wright.edu.
