Panhel to vote on 9th sorority

The Panhellenic Council will vote Monday night to decide whether the Sigma Kappa sorority will join the University's Greek system. But according to Scott Reikofski, director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, the date of colonization is "the only thing still up in the air." "I really anticipate Panhel is going to approve them to come on," he said. "They were going to come this past year, but with Kappa Delta closing, they decided, out of respect, to wait." Former Panhel President Lissette Calderon, a Kappa Alpha Theta sister, explained that Panhel compiled a list of five sororities for colonization in the late 1980s, Kappa Sigma being the fifth. Alpha Phi, Alpha Chi Omega, Kappa Alpha Theta and Pi Beta Phi, the other sororities on the list, have already joined the University system. The Wharton senior explained that Panhel has been in contact with Sigma Kappa's national office for two years, and that the sorority has already agreed to colonize if invited. "[Sigma Kappa] is very excited by the opportunity that Penn presents for them," she said. "We already have a commitment on their part." Calderon, in addition to current Panhel President Jessica Schreck and outgoing and incoming Panhel sorority presidents will vote Monday to decide the fate of the new sorority. Colonization could begin in the fall with a core group selected by representatives from the national office, Reikofski said. He added that if Panhel rejects Sigma Kappa now, it would reconsider colonization next spring. Panhel offered 355 bids this year -- a slight decline from last year's 386. But Reikofski said the decrease is not too substantial. "All of our chapters are strong -- bringing another chapter on isn't going to put any of them in danger," he said. A Panhel expansion committee voted last year not to colonize Sigma Kappa at that time. But Calderon said this is no indication that this year's vote will end the same way. "Last year, the conversations were cut much earlier," she said. "[Colonization] is under serious consideration -- there's a good probability that they will come." College freshman Courtney Fine, an Undergraduate Assembly representative, expressed interest to Reikofski in helping to colonize the sorority after dropping out of rush. According to Fine, Reikofski helped her to get in contact with officials in Sigma Kappa's national office, whom she has been speaking to on a regular basis. "I feel that Penn needs more sororities," Fine said. "Just from my friends and people I know, I've found 14 girls that are willing to help and are really excited -- I think that shows interest."