Two new colonies at Murray State (Murray, Kentucky)

[TSteven]

Sorry for the dated article but I just found it.

FYI: This would up the total fraternities from nine to twelve at Murray State since Kappa Alpha Order is recolonizing as well.

Alpha Gamma Rho
Alpha Sigma Phi
Alpha Tau Omega
Kappa Alpha Order (recolonization)
Kappa Sigma (colonization)
Lambda Chi Alpha
Phi Kappa Tau
Pi Kappa Alpha
Sigma Chi
Sigma Phi Epsilon
Sigma Pi
Tau Kappa Epsilon (recolonization)

Fraternities gain members, establish colonies at Murray State
By Elizabeth Fields
The Murray State News
Published: Friday, September 24, 2004

Last week Murray State was caught up in the rush process, and with all the talk of rush events, the names of two new fraternities emerged this year.

Tau Kappa Epsilon and Kappa Sigma are trying to gain numbers and found new chapters of the national fraternities on campus, but the process can be pretty demanding.

"With these prospective fraternities it's like the ball is in their court," said David Aurich, area recruitment manager for Kappa Sigma. "We let them know our standards, and if they meet them then we will help them further."

A group of students cannot simply start meeting, put letters on their chests and claim to be a fraternity. In fact, a fraternity must be declared a colony before it can be an independent chapter at a university.

A colony, according to the Interfraternity Council Constitution, is a group containing 25 or more members or potential members of a national fraternity that is in the active process of achieving chartered status.

"The national headquarters of the fraternities need to be sure that these students are serious and meet membership, service and grade point average requirements," said Aurich.

Kelly Fineman, junior from Louisville, is in charge of Tau Kappa Epsilon during its challenge for a charter. He said the hardest part of the charter process is getting people interested in attending events, the paperwork and deadlines.

After these requirements have been maintained and the new requirements of membership dues, attendance and education policies have been achieved, Eric Geissler, president of the IFC, will send a representative to a meeting.

"Each colony will need an adviser or help from local alumni to keep them moving forward," said Greissler, senior from Germantown, Tenn.

This process could take anywhere from six months to one year to complete, but if they succeed, Kappa Sigma and Tau Kappa Epsilon may be new fraternity names around Murray State.

These fraternities will continue open bids even after the completion of Rush Week.

"Starting a new fraternity is a great way to get involved," said Fineman. "This way you have a chance to be a leader from the beginning and help set the traditions here."