Late start for Sigma Chi

The colonization of the Sigma Chi fraternity has been delayed until spring 2006, rather than this fall as originally planned.

Earlier this month, the University invited Sigma Chi to begin the colonization process by recruiting members on campus. Since then, a handful of students have expressed interest in being founding members of a GW chapter. Sigma Chi leaders, however, have not yet started to recruit students on campus and will begin the colonization process in the spring.

The move confused many in GW’s Greek-letter community, who chose Sigma Chi over four other fraternities that were eager to colonize immediately. The President’s Council of the Inter-Fraternity Council, the governing body that oversees fraternities on campus and ultimately chose Sigma Chi among five organizations to join GW’s Greek-letter community, sent a letter to the national organization expressing its disappointment.

“We chose Sigma Chi because they were the most prepared,” said David Upbin, a senior and president of the Interfraternity Council. “This is going to delay the arrival of other fraternities, such as Kappa Alpha Order, to campus.”

“We feel slightly misled,” he added.

Doug Shapiro, director of expansion for Sigma Chi, said, “The spring gives us a chance to bring our alumni up to date and gives us the chance to choose the best alumni to serve on the advisory board for the chapter.”

Kappa Alpha Order, another fraternity that was set to begin colonization after Sigma Chi had officially launched at GW, will now be forced to push their colonization process back until after spring fraternity recruitment begins on Feb. 13. The arrival of Kappa Alpha Order is likely to be delayed until spring 2007, Upbin said.

-Rony Rothken