NIU will welcome five new Greek houses over the next three years
Three major fraternities must join one at a time, two others to join by fall
Article by:
Aacia Hussain - Greek Affairs Reporter
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ahussain@northernstar.info
All five Greek houses that were awaiting recommendation to come to NIU have been approved.
The Intrafraternity Council recommended that the three major fraternities, Pi Kappa Phi, Phi Kappa Psi and Sigma Nu all come to NIU, as long as they come at a pace of one house each year for three years, said Chris Juhl, activities adviser for Greek Affairs.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council had a Feb. 6 deadline to respond to the recommendation for Asian fraternity Chi Sigma Tau and Asian sorority Kappa Phi Lambda issued by the Greek Life Standards Board.
Since the NPHC did not respond by Feb. 6, the recommendation for both of these houses to join NIU stands as well, Juhl said.
Although Pi Kappa Phi, Phi Kappa Psi and Sigma Nu must come to NIU separately, the Asian fraternity and sorority can come to NIU at the same time.
“They’ll probably be here by the fall,” Juhl said.
The board will hold a meeting on Feb. 17 to decide when each of the three major fraternities can join the Greek community.
Juhl said one of the three fraternities may come this fall. However, it is too soon to tell which fraternity it may be.
National representatives from the organizations must communicate with NIU to decide which will come by fall; however, Juhl mentioned that the first fraternity to come probably will be either Pi Kappa Phi or Pi Kappa Psi.
National representatives from Phi Kappa Psi anticipate the opportunity to join NIU.
“We are absolutely looking forward to joining NIU,” said Shawn M. Collinsworth, executive director of Phi Kappa Psi National Headquarters. “We are always looking for new campuses that have good traditional programs and good sports programs.”
Collinsworth said they had been interested in coming to NIU for some time and were waiting for the opportunity to present itself.
“We only go to campuses where we’re invited,” he said.