By Amanda Yarnall (Whetstone staff writer)

Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. Left to right, Jordan Gillman, Melissa Bace, Christina White, Megan Street, and Holly Crittenden. The Whetstone/ Shane Miller

This semester the women of Wesley’s Greek system received the same benefits as the men – their organizations turned national.

Former local sororities Sigma Phi Sigma, Delta Phi Sigma and Sigma Theta Chi became two national sororities, Delta Phi Epsilon and Theta Phi Alpha.

“With our local organizations going national, the local chapters dissolved,” said Beth Fisher, director of student activities. “Members of the local organizations became new members of the national organizations starting new chapters at Wesley College.”

When an organization is local, it means that it only exists on the campus. When it is national, there are many more chapters across the United States and Canada with whom the students can correspond.

“Becoming national will open up a ton of doors for me,” said senior Natalie DiSabatino. “I plan on joining the National’s team when I graduate and becoming a traveling consultant to local chapters who are transitioning into national, just like I am.”

National organizations require more from members, including higher fees, more volunteer hours and events, and a higher GPA.

“Chapters need to maintain a balance of what all Greek organizations are found upon,” Fisher said. “[These include] leadership, service, scholarship and friendship.”

Senior Katie Cooper already has future plans with her new sorority.

“My goal is to become the president of Delta Phi Epsilon for the last semester that I am here at Wesley, which will be the fall semester of this year,” Cooper said.

Cooper also plans to remain involved with the sorority after she graduates, including participating in alumni events.

“[I hope the women] will take advantage of being part of an alumnae chapter once they graduate and give back as a volunteer to their national organization and to Wesley College,” Fisher said.

Over the next year, the Student Activities Office is looking to bring a third national sorority to Wesley, along with a traditionally African-American women’s organization.