The recent rise in sorority recruitment numbers at UNF led the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life to consider expansion last August. In Fall 2014, over 400 women signed up for formal recruitment.

Certain limitations have made it impossible to ensure that existing chapters could function well without expansion. Currently, each chapter is required to have a minimum of 183 members. However, the biggest room on campus can only hold 200 people.

“It allows the opportunity for our chapters to come down to a more manageable size. Over the past few years, we have seen the interest in joining a Panhellenic group truly increase on campus. Offering another option gives women something different to look for,” Jen Miranda, coordinator for the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, said.

Out of 10 applicants, the new sororities that were chosen by the Extension Committee are Alpha Phi and Alpha Delta Pi.

Alpha Phi has already begun the process of colonization. Meanwhile, Alpha Delta Pi will begin colonization sometime before their scheduled recruitment, Fall 2017.

The two sororities are staggered to ensure that Alpha Phi can become well established on campus before Alpha Delta Pi begins colonization and so that the year-long expansion process does not have to be redone.

Students, especially those in the Greek community, are excited to see the campus expanding. Caroline Schmidt, engineering major, said, “I think it will provide more options and diversity.”

Hannah Carver, public administration and political science major in Kappa Delta, said, “I’m really excited to see new sororities come to campus. I speak for everyone in Kappa Delta when I say that we love having all of the sororities be involved.”

*1/9/2014 at 6:59 p.m.- Updated with video of student interviews.

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