Multicultural sorority wins approval at Panhellenic

Representatives from each sorority voted that a multicultural sorority could be under the governing body of USD's Panhellenic council last Thursday. The students interested in starting this organization and the AS senate will now have the opportunity to bring the sorority to this campus.
"After learning about it every week in Panhellenic, I realized it's not just something USD was pushing on us but an actual trend," said Kim Gillie, Gamma Phi Beta's Panhellenic delegate. "Almost all other universities of our size have numerous ethnicity-based chapters," There are two different categories of Panhellenic membership, which are determined by NPC, the National Panhellenic Conference: regular membership and associate membership. The six sororities, that currently exist on USD's campus have regular membership. The multicultural sorority would have associate membership. The only difference is that the members of the new sorority will not pay NPC dues and therefore won't be covered by NPC insurance. They will not be allowed to vote on extension of NPC chapters. This chapter would still be subject to the Panhellenic bylaws and constitution and to the enforcement of the Greek guidelines.
Two years ago a group of women wanted to start this sorority and wrote that, "this chapter will offer a way for women on USD's campus who would maybe not otherwise be interested in joining a sorority to become a part of the Greek Community.
There is also the fact that their dues will be less expensive, so this chapter will also offer a way for women who would not otherwise be able to join a sorority to become apart of the Greek community."
"Now that it is taking serious steps to coming on campus I think it is important for all the chapters to understand the changes and impact it will have on Greek life," said Allie Safran, executive member of Kappa Alpha Theta.
One of the sororities that is interested in coming to campus is a Latina-based sorority, Alpha Pi Sigma, which is currently at San Diego State University. "Our chapter is Latina-based, but it is open to people of all ethnicities and backgrounds," said Sindia Zamarripa, President of Alpha Pi Sigma at SDSU.
This group could not establish themselves under the classification of a club or other organization, because a club for "women only" would be considered discrimination based on sex.
"We have a strong Greek community, so that will help them be more involved and it's a great way for the Greek community to reach out to the rest of the school," Gillie said.