New sorority approved

A vote by the chapter presidents of the Panhellenic Association has paved the way for the organization to expand. The Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority has passed the first hurdle to becoming an established IU chapter. \nThe next step in the process will be for the group of prospective women to make a presentation to an expansion committee. The expansion committee consists of the organization president and one chapter president from the PHA, Interfraternity Council, IU Pan-Hellenic Council and the Multicultural Greek Council.\nAccording to the organization's Web site, Sigma Sigma Sigma was founded in 1898 and is one of the 26 members of the National Panhellenic Conference. There are 106 chapters throughout the United States in addition to one chapter in Germany. The only chapter in Indiana is at Ball State.\nThe students who expressed interest in bringing Sigma Sigma Sigma to IU first met with Stan Sweeney, director of student activities. Sweeney then submitted the group's proposal to the Panhellenic Association, which voted on it this week. \n"The Greek community supports this," PHA President Leslie Fasone said.\nThe measure to allow expansion passed resoundingly, receiving only two dissenting votes. Fasone said the primary concern for the dissenting groups was that established chapters might not be able to reach their quota with a new house in the mix. \nFasone said that should not be a concern. Approximately 1,200 interested women with qualifying grades participated in formal recruitment. However, only about 850 received bids.\n"An overwhelming amount of women signed up for open recruitment," Fasone said. "It broke my heart to see so many women not having the opportunity to have the same experiences that I've had. Anyone who wants to go greek should have the opportunity."\nThe last obstacle the prospective Tri Sigs face before getting on campus will be making a presentation to the expansion committee. They will have to prove they have both the funds to start a chapter and a house to reside in.\nIf the motion to expand passes, the committee will then determine whether the chapter can begin the colonization process in 2003 or 2004.\nHaving a chapter build itself from the ground up is not something entirely new at IU. Alpha Omicron Pi re-colonized in 2000. If Sigma Sigma Sigma comes to IU, it will be expected to go through the same process as AOPi.\nAOPi was allowed to participate in 19-party so rushees could get a glimpse of what the sorority had to offer when it would be on campus. In lieu of a house, the new chapter held recruitment from St. Paul's Catholic Center on 17th Street.\n"In order to be successful here, Tri Sig will have to find an open area where they can start recruiting women," Fasone said.\nAfter 19-party, AOPi dropped out of formal recruitment. After the rush process was completed by the other chapters, women who did not receive bids from other chapters were allowed to interview to become members of AOPi. The interviews were conducted by alumni and active members from other AOPi chapters in Indiana.\nJessica Bednarz, now a senior and president of AOPi, was one of the women who went through the interview process. Though she did not get to join the chapter she originally wanted, Bednarz was impressed by AOPi.\n"It was so interesting hearing everybody's different stories as to why they joined," Bednarz said. "They made it seem really exciting."\nBednarz added that Sigma Sigma Sigma will have to take a similar approach if it is accepted on campus.\n"They have to really sell greek life -- not just the chapter itself," Bednarz said.