The Greek community on Grounds is preparing to offer a new option for University students who are interested in joining a sorority.
In May, the Inter-Sorority Council approved the addition of Sigma Delta Tau as its 16th sorority. The chapter will be recolonized by the national organization in the spring.
The first chapter of Sigma Delta Tau was founded at Cornell University in 1917 by seven Jewish women who experienced religious discrimination by the existing Greek organizations on campus. The sorority does not have any official religious affiliations nor requirements for its members, but one of its three national philanthropies is supporting the mission of Jewish Women International.
ISC President Sarah Feldner said the decision was made after the ISC noticed a need to expand its offerings to meet the increasing number of participants in the Greek system. At the time, some sororities were unable to hold meetings in their houses because of overcapacity.
To solve this problem, representatives from various ISC sororities came together and formed a group to brainstorm some possibilities.
The solution was found in an existing associate chapter of Sigma Delta, whose estimated 50 members were eager to be linked with a national organization, said Michelle Carlson, Sigma Delta Tau's national vice president of external relations.
Within a month, Feldner said, the idea for the colonization of the chapter had been presented to the Greek community and was voted on by the ISC representatives.
Feldner expressed excitement at the addition of Sigma Delta Tau on behalf of the ISC and its sororities.
"Going forward, it's important for all existing chapters to be supportive for Sigma Delta Tau to be successful at U.Va.," Feldner said. "It will be a welcome addition to our community."
The University has asked for recruitment efforts to begin following formal recruitment. Carlson said the organization fully intends to honor that request and is currently focused on designing its public relations campaign.
Feldner described the wait as simply a logistical concern and said Sigma Delta Tau will be able to make active recruitment efforts to build the chapter's numbers once the formal recruitment stage has passed for the 15 existing ISC sororities.
Sigma Delta Tau will be introduced to the University Greek community at Go Greek Night, Oct. 19, Carlson said.
The sorority is looking for founding sisters and leaders from all years at the University, Carlson said. Students will take these positions in the spring, making first-year students eligible.
Carlson encouraged anyone interested to visit the Sigma Delta Tau sorority website.
"This is a great opportunity to help create tradition on a campus where tradition is so valued," Carlson said.
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