There’s a new fraternity coming to Locust Walk — and it promises endless breadsticks and pasta.
Omega Gamma, more commonly known as “Olive Garden,” will be colonizing in Fall 2014. Its main chapter house will be located at 3539 Locust, formerly the Phi Kappa Sigma — commonly referred to as Skulls — house.
“We are looking for pledges who are committed to our core values,” College junior and OG President Vinni DiMaggio said. “Most fraternities are committed to bottomless kegs. We are committed to bottomless pasta bowls.”
Scott Reikofski, the director of the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, was particularly excited about OG’s addition to campus. “With the endless carbs available at Olive Garden, we expect the number of students who are MERTed to decrease significantly,” he said.
“I’ll never have to satisfy my drunchies with Allegro’s again!” College freshman Alexa Carmichal said.
Some students were wary of the organization’s notoriously bottomless meals and drinks.
“Portion control is a serious issue,” April Green, a Wharton junior and member of the Urban Nutrition Initiative said. “Olive Garden will turn the freshman 15 into the freshman 50.”
DiMaggio argues the endless nature of their servings is indicative of members’ tight bonds. “Fraternity life is about brotherhood,” he said. “And brotherhood is forever. Just like our breadsticks.”
Beyond the brotherhood, OG plans to incorporate inspirations from the Olive Garden menu into its social events. You won’t find any jungle juice at the OG house. DiMaggio anticipates their most popular cocktails will include the “Shrimp Scampi,” “Alfredo White Wine,” and the “Cucina Mia,” in which guests may customize their experience by taking a shot of any three drink “courses” for only $9.99.
“We found that many fraternal organizations were failing to reach their breadstick quota,” Reikofski said. “We hope that the addition of the Omega Gamma fraternity will fill this hole on campus.”
Reikofski also hopes that the organization will be a home to pasta-loving students who have yet to find their niche at Penn.
“When you’re here, you’re family,” DiMaggio added.
