Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Kappa Tau to colonize
Phi Gamma Delta and Phi Kappa Tau fraternities have been invited to start new chapters at USC, but Phi Kappa Tau’s colonization is contingent on the successful creation of a new Phi Gamma Delta chapter.
Dates for colonization, the process by which fraternities create new chapters, have not yet been released and will be finalized as the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and the fraternities’ national organizations hash out a time frame.
“I can see it as a process occurring for both organizations over the next 4 to 5 years,” said Jarod Holt, assistant director of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
The process began when the 2011-2012 Fraternity Council opened campus to expansion. Several organizations submitted packets of potential expansion plans, which were reviewed by Fraternity Council.
Phi Gamma Delta and Phi Kappa Tau were invited to present to members of Fraternity Council and Fraternity and Sorority Life, as was Theta Chi fraternity.
After voting to invite Phi Gamma Delta and Phi Kappa Tau to come to campus, Fraternity Council closed expansion.
Andy Hesse, vice president of conduct for Fraternity Council, said the group considered several factors in narrowing the field of applicants.
Chief among them: having local alumni support, other chapters in the Southeast, potential advisors, funding for a new house and past successful colonizations.
“As a council, we felt [Phi Gamma Delta and Phi Kappa Tau] will continue to lead our community in a positive direction while still bringing a new, unique perspective to our campus,” Hesse said.
More than 700 students went through recruitment last fall and less than half of them ended up joining fraternities.
“Each fraternity offers its members unique opportunities,” said Fraternity Council President Chris Kline. “By bringing more fraternities on campus, we are providing the avenue for these opportunities to men who currently aren’t finding them in our existing chapters.”
Holt echoed that sentiment and said he hopes the new fraternities will diversify the Greek community and bolster its goals.
“I am excited about the growth of our fraternity community and the benefits these two groups will bring to our fraternity and sorority community,” Holt said. “Each group brings a unique quality of philanthropic endeavors, opportunities for civic engagement, key leadership development, a strong commitment for academic success and values-driven experience.”
Correction: An earlier version of this story included an infobox that misstated when Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity originally colonized at USC. The fraternity came to campus in 1929 and was later recolonized in 2001.