| Contact: |
Alpha Phi International
Fraternity, Inc. |
| |
1930 Sherman Avenue, Evanston,
IL 60201, 847.475.0663,
www.alphaphi.org/news |
|
Release Date: |
|
March 25, 2005 |
| |
|
|
|
Media Contact: |
|
Kayee Dooley, 847.316.8928 |
NORMAN, OKLA., March
15, 2005 – Alpha
Phi sorority has accepted an invitation from The University of Oklahoma
Panhellenic Association council to colonize on campus starting the fall
2006 semester. The acceptance came after the council voted unanimously
to offer Alpha Phi an invitation to return to campus. Three other
National Panhellenic Conference sororities were considered for the
opportunity to begin a new chapter at the university.
"We are very excited
about the opportunity to return to campus and look forward to
participating in the OU Panhellenic community," said Alpha Phi
International Executive Board President Crista Cate Vasina.
The University of
Oklahoma’s Panhellenic Association voted in favor of opening for
expansion in November 2004 after a series of successful formal
recruitment periods. The prospective NPC groups were invited to conduct
exploratory visits addressing the campus’s needs and housing issues.
According to the
Panhellenic Association council’s resolution, the extension committee
was impressed with the comprehensive colonization plan presented by
Alpha Phi and the local Alpha Phi house corporation board. Alpha Phi’s
ability to provide the required local and national support for a
successful colonization on campus also significantly contributed to the
council’s final decision.
Alpha Phi originally
chartered a collegiate chapter on campus in 1917. The decision to return
to campus was based largely on strong local alumnae interest and recent
changes made within the university’s Greek system.
"Alpha Phi has an
enthusiastic and dynamic alumnae base in Norman, Oklahoma, and the
surrounding communities," said Alpha Phi Extension Committee Chair Laura
Lynn Davidson. "When we visited for our exploratory visit in February, I
had the opportunity to meet many of them and learn, first hand, how
excited they are to support a collegiate chapter at OU."
The average new member
class for sororities has been at or near 80 members, and interest in
sororities continues to strengthen. Since 1998, both Phi Mu and Alpha
Omicron Pi have successfully colonized on the OU campus.
The University of
Oklahoma’s Greek System, formed in 1905, currently has 11 of the 26
National Panhellenic Conference women’s groups with over 2400 women,
making it one of the largest Panhellenic associations in the Big 12
Conference.
Alpha Phi International
Fraternity was founded at Syracuse University in 1872 as one of the
first Greek societies for women. Alpha Phi is dedicated to promoting
sisterhood, cultivating leadership, encouraging intellectual curiosity
and advocating service. The organization is comprised of more than 140
collegiate chapters and more than 130 alumnae chapters throughout the
United States and Canada. The Alpha Phi Foundation is the fraternity’s
philanthropic and educational partner. Through contributions from
chapters, individual members and friends, the foundation supports
women’s cardiac health and other charitable and educational projects.
Together, Alpha Phi International Fraternity and Foundation develop
character for a lifetime.
###
[Go back to main list of news releases]
