Make way for an eighth sisterhood here at Penn.
After an announcement last spring that the Sigma Kappa sorority is headed to the University this year, members of the Greek system and the sorority's national organization are forging ahead in plans for the new chapter.
Although Sigma Kappa does not officially have a house, the chapter is moving forward with publicity and colonization.
Jen Hohman, Sigma Kappa's director of expansion, said that the group's national headquarters is still trying to secure a house.
"Nothing is set at this point, but we are working towards it," she said.
Panhellenic Council President Kristen Buppert said that the absence of a house right now should not be a problem, as new sorority members generally move into houses the fall after recruitment.
"Most of our sorority houses are occupied by sophomores and other upperclassmen," Buppert said.
During the fall semester, the sorority plans to publicize itself through its national office. According to Hohman, the national headquarters will send a team of alumni and advisers to assist in the colonization of the new chapter during the spring semester.
The national office will select Penn women to serve as the chapter's founding members. The colonization period officially begins in February, although Sigma Kappa headquarters will first send either one or two chapter consultants to work on publicity starting in late January.
The sorority will also gain publicity at Panhel events this semester by setting up tables and passing out flyers.
Buppert said that Panhel plans to support Sigma Kappa with referrals and publicity.
"The colonization will be run by their national office," Buppert said. "We're just here to help support them."
Buppert said that Panhel will help by asking current sorority sisters to refer their friends or acquaintances to Sigma Kappa. Panhel will also mention the new chapter at sorority recruitment events throughout the year.
"We can help them make their presence known... through dorm storming and e-mail," she added.
According to Buppert, Sigma Kappa will be targeting women from the freshmen, sophomore and junior classes equally. The sorority needs the older girls to keep the membership of the house balanced, and also to act as mentors and leaders to the younger members.
Last spring, the Panhellenic Council voted to invite Sigma Kappa -- a sorority with 129,000 members nationwide -- to campus, and the group accepted.
"We've always wanted to come to Penn," Hohman said. "Our alumnae are just busting out at the seams, ready to jump in."
Panhel chose to invite Sigma Kappa as part of an expansion plan started in 1987.
"Greek life is very cyclical, and right now, it's starting to boom again," Hohman said. "When all the sororities are doing well, then it's time to expand."
Buppert said she believes that Sigma Kappa will attract girls who are looking for something different in a sorority.
This "usually pulls in girls that wouldn't necessarily go through a formal recruitment period," she said.
"The rigidity of formal recruitment won't be there," she added. "This appeals to lot of girls."
The Panhel leader also noted that Penn women who want to start something new in the Greek system, or those who want to create a legacy, may be interested in Sigma Kappa.
