Changes to our Legacy Policy

Dear Sisters,

Over the past few weeks, Alpha Xi Delta has received a great deal of feedback from our membership about ways the Fraternity can become more inclusive. Many members have expressed concern and thoughts regarding our Legacy Policy and how it creates a barrier for potential new members during recruitment. After much thoughtful conversation and reflection, Alpha Xi Delta’s National Council voted to make changes to our Legacy Policy.

The previous policy stated that legacies must be invited through the first round of invitational events. In addition, any legacy who attended the chapter's Preference event had to be placed at the top of the bid list. Legacies will still be defined as any granddaughter, daughter, sister, or niece of an Alpha Xi Delta member in good standing, as well as step- or half-relations resulting from blended or other non-traditional family structures. However, the preferential treatment portion of the policy has been removed. All chapters will now treat legacies equally to all potential new members during recruitment.

Another source of extensive feedback from our membership has been recommendation letters during recruitment. Alpha Xi Delta does not require recommendation letters for recruitment, and we do not have a policy that gives potential new members with a letter of recommendation any preferential treatment. However, Member Recommendation Forms do provide beneficial information and an introduction of a potential new member to a chapter, which is very helpful. I still encourage you to fill out a recommendation for any young woman you know who is attending college at a campus with an Alpha Xi Delta chapter. 

In 1893 women were just starting to be invited to colleges and universities. While this was groundbreaking at the time, it’s important to remember that these opportunities were not afforded to those who were not white. Because of this, much of our history and membership has been based on the perspective and ideals of white members. In order to make lasting change to be more inclusive, Alpha Xi Delta is removing barriers for potential new members whose mothers, grandmothers and sisters did not have the same access to higher education or the ability to join organizations like ours.

I’m sure you may have questions about this change. We have put together a frequently asked questions page about this change. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to us at fhq@alphaxidelta.org.

We look forward to a vibrant Sisterhood for 127+ years to come where Alpha Xi Delta can inspire even more women to realize their potential.

Loyally,

Micaela A. Isler
National President