Phi Sigma Sigma to return to campus

After all Panhelllenic sororities unanimously voted to invite Phi Sigma Sigma back to campus, the women ended a four-year hiatus from operations at the university and have begun recruiting once again.


Adam Cantley, the assistant director of fraternity and sorority life, stated in an email message that Phi Sigma Sigma sorority will officially return to campus this spring after a previous sanction in 2008.


Cantley said the sorority was suspended from campus for four years, but after working closely with the Panhellenic team, they decided the spring semesterwould be the best time for Phi Sigma Sigma to return.


According to Cantley, the entire process began last May when all Panhellenic sororities were asked to vote on whether or not to extend an invitation for Phi Sigma Sigma to recruit on campus.


“It is a process that is very similar to the formal recruitment process that all Panhellenic sororities will participate in during February,” Cantley said. “They will be selective and look for a group of women that will set this chapter up for success for many years at Delaware.”


Michelle Ardem, the executive director of national Phi Sigma Sigma, said the national organization is assisting in the recruitment process as well. They have sent two field consultants, Jill Gansert and Megan Beste, to help bring the sorority back to campus and keep the national headquarters informed. They began meeting with students this month who are interested in pledging.

Similar to other sororities on campus, Phi Sigma Sigma will participate in pledging expositions throughout the course of the fall semester and will hold an open house on Nov. 8, Adrem said.


“Starting a new sorority is a wonderful opportunity for the women at the University of Delaware,” she said. “We have had an amazing response already, and we are looking forward to the spring 2013 semester.”

 

Phi Sigma Sigma is not currently expanding to any other schools, but the sorority already has a strong presence in the Northeast and was in good standing on the university campus for 25 years before the 2008 sanction, Ardem said. She said she believes this foundation will help to start another successful chapter at the university, as well as entice students to join.


“The University of Delaware is a great institution, and we know it is a great fit for Phi Sigma Sigma,” Ardem said.


Freshman Talia Rave said she plans to rush in the spring but does not have great interest in joining a sorority that is new to campus. One reason Rave said she is rushing a sorority is in order to seek for guidance from older members. She is looking for a sorority that knows exactly what Greek life on campus entails.


“In an established sorority the upperclassmen are also be able to help the lowerclassmen with problems they have been through before,” Rave said.  “The upperclassmen would know more about running a sorority and how the school runs in general.”


However, freshman Julie Kyrejko finds the process of joining a new sorority appealing. She said although not having older members to look up to is unusual, she is open to learning about what Phi Sigma Sigma has to offer.


“I would rush the new sorority because its gives an individual the chance to create the legacy of the new chapter,” Kyrejko said.