Chi Omega Tau announces intention to expand

With the passing of the vote by the College Panhellenic Council (CPC) to begin looking into expanding the number of National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities on campus, one candidate has already made their intentions known. Chi Omega Tau, whose nickname is Coyote, went public Monday with their objective to pursue national affiliation within the NPC.

"Going national was one of the things our founders really wanted... We are really excited about this opportunity, and it is something we have wanted for a long time. To have [national affiliation] and to honor what our older sisters and alumnae have really wanted would be spectacular," said Sara Dean, President of Chi Omega Tau.

The NPC is an organization of 26 national and international sororities that represent members in over 620 colleges and universities. Currently, six NPC sororities are represented on Tech's campus. Chi Omega Tau's announcement was made to let everyone involved with the process of sorority extension know that theywant to pursue national affiliation.

"This isn't Coyote trying to bum-rush the CPC... I want this to be beneficial for [Tech], the Greek community and the CPC... This came up last fall after [formal] recruitment was huge and the pledge classes increased," Dean said.

Affiliation with a national organization benefits a sorority in many ways such as providing a larger base for alumnae support and a stronger financial structure. Being a part of a national group also allows the sorority to have access to a large pool of experience to help deal with unseen issues. Association with NPC would also grant the group the chance to have CPC voting rights, members on the executive board and members on the judiciary council.

They would be allowed to participate in Formal Recruitment during the fall and also have their sisters serve as Pi Chis, or recruitment counselors.

"As it stands right now, [Chi Omega Tau] recruitment is after Formal Recruitment. It puts us at a disadvantage, [because] girls don't know as much about [Chi Omega Tau] compared to one of the national sororities. So, [that] makes it harder for us to recruit," Dean said.

Chi Omega Tau currently holds associate member status within the CPC. The main members of the CPC are the six sororities on Tech that already have national affiliation. Additionally, the CPC has three associate members, like Chi Omega Tau, who are not currently a part of the NPC.

"The other three associate member sororities have national backing, but they aren't NPC chapters. Then there is [Chi Omega Tau], and we are a local sorority, so [that means] we only exist in one place. The CPC only allows one local sorority at a time... meaning we are the only local and associate member," Dean said.

Chi Omega Tau was started in the Fall of 2000 and chartered by the CPC on April 24, 2001 withthe intention that they eventually wanted to be a national sorority. Chi Omega Tau has expressed interest in national affiliation in the past, however the Panhellenic Council voted to not support expansion in January 2003.

Chi Omega Tau currently has 22 active sisters and eight new members. According to Dean, the group was modeled after national sororities.

"Chi Omega Tau has academic eligibility [requirements] for membership as well as standards for our sisterhood. Philanthropy is required by each sister and new member," writes Chi Omega Tau, in their letter to the members of the CPC.

Chi Omega Tau participates in Greek community events such as Greek Week, Homecoming and Mock Rock.As a social sorority they have social events similar to those of NPC sororities, such as a Semi-Formal and Formal, as well as Date Nights, Crush Party and Fall Party.