About 30 girls have come together to form Phi Kappa Delta, a new women’s social club set to officially launch at the start of the spring semester.
According to Kara Abston, assistant dean of students, the club is still in early stages and has a lot of work to do regarding things like officers and the constitution. They are also still working to secure sponsors, which are required before the club can become official.
Abston said, however, she is not worried about the progress of the club.
“I think with the determination of these young ladies and the fact that they’re very eager, motivated and enthused, the club will be ready,” Abston said.
Abston explained the way Phi Kappa Delta came together as “friends of friends who found each other.”
Although the handbook states that new social clubs need at least 10 upperclassmen with club experience, Phi Kappa Delta was approved to begin without involvement of any students who had previously been active in a club.
“We’re willing to accommodate chartering new clubs in order to help them meet their goals,” Abston said. “They may lack actual club experience but I think they’re going to do great and be fine.”
Phi Kappa Delta’s official symbol is a key and the colors are Tiffany blue and gold. They are also looking to be a part of Spring Sing with Iota Chi and Shantih.
Sophomore Courtney Petree said she is excited for the opportunity to grow in friendships and be a part of something new through Phi Kappa Delta.
“One of my friends had told me that Phi Kappa Delta was starting and I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to be a part of,” Petree said. “It gives me a chance to make more friends in a much more relaxed and natural way than I would if I were going through club week.”
Petree said that, looking to next fall, she hopes Phi Kappa Delta will stand out among other clubs because of the relationships they form with girls looking at the club.
“I think Phi Kappa Delta will really strive to be a club that, even if we couldn’t take everyone for third and fourth rounds, we still stop you on the sidewalk to say ‘Hi,’ and we (will) still try to make sure that you know you are still loved and included even if you don’t have a jersey to wear on Fridays,” Petree said.
Junior Jessica Romero said she is glad to be part of forming something new.
“I wanted to be in this club because it’s a chance to make it whatever we want,” Romero said. “There aren’t any reputations to live up to and we can start our own traditions.”
Although the students are excited about the opportunities that Phi Kappa Delta will offer, they are also aware of the amount of work that it takes in order to form a club.
“The most difficult part of being involved in forming a new club is definitely trying to get organized and to know everyone,” freshman Ashton Grace Yates said. “But the most rewarding aspect of being involved in a new club is to start a new tradition. It’s not very often that you get to say ‘hey, I helped to start (a new club) and was a charter member.'”
Although Phi Kappa Delta has reached the maximum number of members for its first semester, Abston said that if there is another group of students who are interested in forming a club she is always willing to help those students with another new club.
