The Gamma Omega Chapter of Phi Mu, which closed in May 2007, will not be reorganizing at the University this semester, though a new independent sorority — now called Nu Omega Iota — recruited its first members during the past two weeks while under the name Phi Mu.
“Neither the [Inter-Sorority Council] nor the national organization of Phi Mu has supported the recolonization of Phi Mu [at the University] at this time,” said Michael Citro, assistant dean of Fraternity and Sorority Life. “It remains closed and there are no immediate plans to recolonize the organization.”
The group of women who called themselves Phi Mu earlier in the semester and who attempted to recruit members under that banner is now known as Nu Omega Iota, said co-founder Susan Fisher, a fourth-year College student. She explained that the name change resulted from liability issues. A representative of the Phi Mu national organization was unavailable as of press time, but Fisher said the new independent sorority will not face any sanctions or fines from either the ISC or the national group.
“It’s very important that you look at it as an independent organization,” Fisher said.
The name change, however, has not deterred first-year Engineering student Marina Piper from considering joining Nu Omega Iota. She, like other girls in her unofficial class, began rushing the sorority before the name change.
“I thought it was kind of cool that we got to come up with the name ourselves and make it more of our own,” she said.
Though at this time the organization is not affiliated with the ISC, the women of Nu Omega Iota hope to reach out to 100 to 200 women in the next month and expand their organization in years to come, Fisher said.
“We do hope to become a part of ISC in the future,” Fisher said, adding that the 40- to 60-member organization will hold elections in February.
“The [Phi Mu] national director knows that we would love to blossom into Phi Mu,” Fisher said.
The group faces a lengthy process to join the ISC as Phi Mu, though, because a sorority cannot return for at least five years after disbanding, said Ashleigh Carson, ISC vice president of recruitment.
“There’s no chance of them coming back immediately,” Carson said. “They still have to go through the process.”
Fisher said the main difference between Nu Omega Iota and the ISC sororities is the financial obligation. Although Nu Omega Iota does not have dues, Fisher said the newly formed organization has social events and philanthropy projects similar to those held by ISC sororities.
“It’s not an anti-sorority,” Fisher said. “It’s an alternative.”
First-year Nursing student Rachel Antanitus said she has enjoyed her rush experience and plans to continue with Nu Omega Iota.
“No matter what happens, I still love the friends I’ve made,” she said.
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