In March 2014, Penn State’s Panhellenic delegates voted to reopen the university’s chapters of Phi Sigma Sigma and Delta Phi Epsilon. Phi Sigma Sigma opened last fall (2014), and now it’s Delta Phi Epsilon’s turn.

“We will be adding a chapter of Delta Phi Epsilon to our Panhellenic community in the fall of 2016,” said Panhellenic Council President Abby Renko. “We saw such success in chartering a new chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority last fall, and we expect to see the same success in chartering this new chapter. Our community continues to grow and more women express interest in joining sororities each year – this new chapter will be yet another way for individuals to become involved in Greek life on our campus.”

The two sororities were intentionally colonized a few semesters apart to allow each group to receive Panhellenic Council’s full attention. When Delta Phi Epsilon’s return to Penn State was originally announced a year and a half ago, the sorority was anticipated to colonize no sooner than fall 2015 and no later than fall 2016.

Similar to Phi Sigma Sigma, the new chapter will hold it’s recruitment following PHC’s formal sorority recruitment next fall. It will be informal, serving as more of an “open” bidding process for the new sorority’s first semester. Consultants for the sorority will come to Penn State to help with the bidding process. DPhiE will then have the opportunity to participate in formal recruitment in fall 2017 after they’ve been established.

The Delta Pi chapter of Delta Phi Epsilon was on campus from 1960 until 1966, but closed because the 60s were a “hard time for Greek life nationwide,” according to 2014 Panhellenic president Meaghan DeMallie.

The addition of Delta Phi Epsilon will bring the total number of sororities at Penn State to 19 chapters, in addition to the three existing associate chapters.