Yes, you would still have to go through NPC channels. You and your friends can form an interest group, then approach your college Panhellenic. If they allow expansion to proceed, you and they can then approach NPC and indicate that the campus is open for expansion and that there is a local group with a preference for affiliating with AEPhi. (Unfortunately, if the college Panhel decides not to allow expansion to proceed, you won't be able to affiliate with AEPhi... but you can always petition again later on.)
That chapter has been closed for at least ten years; my new member manual, printed circa 1993, indicates that the chapter is not active. It would be great if that chapter were reactivated.
Good luck!
