The sorority Delta Phi Epsilon will form a colony at Syracuse University this fall and will start recruiting Oct. 7.

The sorority will lease the former home of Alpha Chi Omega, which is located at 705 Walnut Ave., said Maggie Thompson, DPhiE’s coordinator of chapter services.

Alpha Chi Omega left the university in January 2011.

This week, DPhiE will host events from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., which will include different types of informational sessions about the organization. More events will start at 8 p.m. at the new house, said Thompson, who is also the head of colony recruitment.

The sorority will begin as a colony rather than an official chapter. A colony doesn’t have the same privileges, such as alumni support and complete independence from the national organization.

A chapter of DPhiE was founded on SU’s campus in 1921, but left in the late 1980s, Thompson said. The colony will become the 12th Panhellenic sorority chapter on campus.

DPhiE officials hope to have about 152 students become part of the organization and will recruit about 100 members before official recruitment begins this spring, Thompson said.

The organization is looking for “empowering women who look to be the best versions of themselves,” Thompson said. She added that the sorority hopes to find female students who are also philanthropic and have strong leadership skills.

Published on September 27, 2013 at 4:25 pm

Contact Meredith: mhnewman@syr.edu | @MerNewman93