Troy University’s Panhellenic Council is in its final stages of bringing another sorority to TROY’s campus.

According to Barbara Patterson, the Director of Student Involvement and Leadership and Panhellenic Adviser, the average number of members in each National Panhellenic Conference sorority has gone from 95 to 195 in the past three years. She cited TROY’s growing admissions, active sorority recruitment, and nation-wide membership growth as reasons for the increase.

“All over the nation, it is seen as something that is invaluable to a young woman’s university experience,” she said.

The process of inviting another sorority to come to TROY started three years ago with Erin Salter, former vice president and president of the Panhellenic Council.

Patterson said that Salter’s desire for her office was to bring a new sorority to campus. In order to accomplish her goal, they first had to get approval from the chapters on campus, each chapter’s national organization and from the university.

“This is not something that happens overnight,” she said. “It is a process.”

Three new sororities — Alpha Chi Omega, Gamma Phi Beta and Alpha Omicron Pi — will all visit the campus by Sept. 15 and will then be voted on by the sororities and their national chapters.

“I think they are looking for a group that will just be a wonderful addition to the NPC sisterhood,” she said. “We think that all three sororities are groups that women would be excited to join.”

She also said the support of the alumnae in the area will be invaluable to the startup of a new chapter by serving as advisers.

“Women are selected to be in these roles who are a great fit and will be able to lead and guide those women through the sorority process and to build their new sorority,” she said.

The current sororities have deep roots at TROY, with the most recent one being established in 1977, but Patterson said the challenge of something new and the immediate availability of leadership roles are what will attract women to the new sorority.

If all goes according to schedule, the new organization will be selected and notified by Oct. 6 and will be a part of the recruitment process next fall.

Alumnae of these groups are welcome to contact Barbara Patterson through email or by telephone 334-670-3204 for more information.