A group of freshmen women signed a document last night at the Collis Center pledging that they will become the founding members of the seventh sorority.
The creation of the new sorority is "definite," Panhellenic Council President Jess Russo '97 said. Russo would not comment on the number of women who signed up to form the new sorority.
Panhell Vice President Marcie Handler '97 said the number of women who signed up was "under 50. We didn't reach the limit."
Panhell is the governing body of the College's six existing sororities.
"We had the sign up at nine o'clock, and there were 99s waiting outside the door to sign up," Russo said. " Everything is going smoothly. I'm really happy."
Russo said the sorority presidents will meet tomorrow to decide whether to allow more women to sign up. Handler said the new sorority will not be holding rush in the fall.
Handler said the group "will probably be meeting with the administration to discuss recognition and their goals."
Andrea Stenger '99, a founding member of the new sorority, said "they had us sign a piece of paper and that was it." Stenger said about 20 women signed up.
Stenger said the women will be meeting next week to elect officers. The group will choose a name once it decides whether to join a national sorority or remain independent.
Stenger said she knows very few people who will join the sorority.
"I thought it would be neat to start a new sorority, and the fact that we would be the founders of the sorority," she said. "And it eliminates rush, which is kind of convenient."
Stenger said she thinks Dartmouth needs a new sorority.
"The sororities are so large it is hard to get to know everyone," she said. "It is nice we get to work with these people, and we get to start now."
Stenger said she believes more women may join later in the year. "I think 40 would be a great number [of members] for next year."
Stenger said members will probably live together in a Residence Hall while they look for a house.
Stenger said she hopes members decide to become nationally affiliated.
"I want it to be national," she said. "There are more connections that way."
She said joining a national would save paperwork, since members could borrow the chain's bylaws.
