The End of Tradition in the Trees

As the seasons change, leaves may not be the only things falling from the trees on Washington State University’s Greek Row. The hundreds of shoes that adorn two large trees outside of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity house are also slated for removal by the city, signifying the end of a tradition for the fraternity.

Shoes are thrown into two trees standing outside of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity on Oak Street every Dec. 10, which is Founder’s Day for the chapter. Members say the tradition started around 1987.

“The trees are a symbol for us,” Delta Sigma Phi President Ryan Coumont said. “They represent our brotherhood and throwing the shoes is a way for us to come together and celebrate our membership.”

A series of complaints from residents of College Hill, a neighborhood located near the WSU campus and home to the Greek community, identified the trees as a violation of the City of Pullman’s Nuisance Ordinance. The complaints stated that the shoes create an unsightly appearance and have become an eyesore to residents of College Hill. Exact sources of the complaints can not be identified due privacy reasons.

Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson mentioned that there are also safety issues associated with the trees since shoes sometimes land on or near power lines. Johnson believes that the shoe trees are both unsightly and unsafe.

“College students should have standards too,” Johnson said.

For some, this standard may mean a standard for tradition and appreciation of college culture. The loss of the shoe trees is not only the loss of a tradition for Delta Sigma Phi, but also the loss of a Pullman landmark, says student Erin Dunn, a member of the Greek community.

"Traditions are what keeps the Greek community going so strong. I love the Delta Sigma Phi shoe trees because they are a visual demonstration of strong traditions. They're a fun way to connect with members of every generation,” Dunn said.

The removal of the shoes from Delta Sigma Phi’s trees is a demonstration of the struggle faced by many Greek houses between maintaining a working relationship with the College Hill residential community and upholding the strong traditions for which the Greeks are known.

The Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life encourages all sororities and fraternities to maintain a positive relationship with the residents of College Hill. Assistant Director Samantha Armstrong believes that it is in Delta Sigma Phi’s best interest to develop new traditions in order to set a trend in the neighborhood.

“We understand that the fraternity values the tradition and history associated with the tree,” Armstrong said. “For some the tree represents times gone by, a work of art, college students having fun. For others, it is an eyesore bringing down the property value and making the neighborhood look even more run down.”

In an effort to work with the Pullman community, Coumont says the men of Delta Sigma Phi will not be continuing their shoe-throwing tradition this Founder’s Day after the shoes are removed.

“It’s like the end of an era for us,” Coumont said. “Maybe we’ll have to come up with a new tradition, but it’s sad.”



Sources:

Samantha Armstrong - in person/by e-mail
Assistant Director, Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life
(509) 335-5433
sjarmstrong@wsu.edu

Glenn Johnson - in person
Mayor of Pullman, University Faculty
509-335-3068
galjohns@wsu.edu

Erin Dunn - by e-mail
New Student Programs employee, Chinook Yearbook editor
509-981-2889

Ryan Coumont - in person
Delta Sigma Phi President Fall 2009
509-991-9053