The group of 15 women intending to form a new sorority on campus hopes to formally request College recognition this term.
Panhellenic Council President Jess Russo '97 said the sorority has many plans for the future. "They are in the process of becoming recognized as a national or local sorority, getting new members and filing for housing."
Dean of Residential Life Mary Turco said the group of women presented their initial proposal to Assistant Dean of Residential Life Deb Reinders, who is responsible for coed, fraternity and sorority organizations.
Reinders then advised the group as to what steps they have to follow to put together a formal proposal, Turco said.
The women must create a constitution that has a mission statement, an officer list with an explanation of each position's responsibilities and election process, information about membership and the intake process and the group's financial situation, Turco said.
The group must also propose a budget and plans for generating resources, she added.
Turco said the women will have to make several drafts of these materials and then present the final drafts to Dean of the College Lee Pelton and herself.
"We determine if recognition of the group is in the best interest of students and the College," she said.
The group also needs to select an advisor and is expected to meet with members of the Greek system.
"It is my understanding that they have already consulted with the Panhellenic Council and are going to the [Coed Fraternity Sorority Council] leaders," Turco said.
But other members of the new group said they are excited about creating a new social option for women at the College.
"We're looking to form something new, not just for ourselves, but for Dartmouth," Emily Bahl '99, a member of the group of women intending to form the new sorority said. "There is a need for more social space for women."
Some students said they feel there is an imbalance in the number of options for men and women on campus and this inspired them to join the new group.
"The fact that there are 17 fraternities and six sororities does seem unfair, which is one of the reasons I joined [the group]," Bahl said.
The group plans to open for new members later this term, she said.
"We formed last spring and already we're a tight group, but we're excited to get new people," Bahl said.
The group of women intending to form the seventh Panhellenic sorority does not have housing as of yet. But Turco said they can still apply to be recognized.
"A number of organizations have started and have had no physical plant," she said. "It wouldn't be unusual for this group to apply for recognition with the understanding that they won't have housing."
