The search for TCU’s new fraternity is almost at an end as the Interfraternity Council members say they hope to have a decision finalized as early as the week of April 12, said the Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Molly Devine.

The fraternities that have presented and applied to be a part of TCU Greek life are Chi Psi, Phi Kappa Tau, Pi Kappa Alpha and Sigma Nu, said IFC President Diego Padilla.

“The Expansion Committee has a very difficult choice to make; we had four great organizations present,” Devine said. “The feedback from students and staff who attended the presentations and meetings with each of the fraternities is critical to our process.”

The expansion committee is a combination of students and staff both Greek and non-Greek that represent organizations around campus, said the IFC Vice President of Finance and Administration Michele Ragnesi.

“IFC is looking for a fraternity that shows commitment, a strong alumni base in the area and a strong financial platform for insurance costs,” said the IFC Vice President of Programming Tim Dieschbourg.

Dieschbourg, Ragnesi and Padilla all said that Sigma Nu is the most suitable fraternity for TCU.

“Sigma Nu has stood out because they are really committed to the values of the university,” said Padilla. “They are committed to having staff live in the area the entire school year to help their chapter succeed to be chartered.”

“Sigma Nu presented a lot of emotional commitment and excitement,” said Ragnesi. “The fraternity has a lot of members in the area, the right tools and investment plans in place, as well as a great outlook on TCU Greek life.”

Due to the increased recruitment registrations, the IFC presidents voted unanimously in the fall of 2014 to open for expansion, said Devine in an email. 

“A lot of guys on campus wish to become Greek but the amount of fraternities we have cannot accommodate,” said Ragnesi. “So a lot of guys are dropping out of the whole system.”

More than one-third of the men that signed up for recruitment did not a receive bid last year. Devine said in an email that sixty-four percent of men who registered for IFC recruitment received a bid in 2014.

“I think a new fraternity will provide a unique opportunity for the many great men on our campus who are not members of IFC fraternities to start something fresh- an organization that will help push our community to be stronger, while also complementing the groups we currently have,” said Devine in an email.

Once the fraternity is selected by the Expansion Committee, IFC will notify the fraternity’s headquarters immediately, said Devine in an email.

“TCU IFC and Fraternity and Sorority Life will work with the organization to get them better connected with the TCU community and map out a timeline for their arrival to campus,” said Devine.

Devine said the new fraternity will most likely come to TCU to do advertising during the end of the spring semester; however, their recruitment won’t start until the fall semester with the other fraternities.

“Those dates will be determined by the organization once selected,” Devine said.

Ragnesi said unlike the other fraternities that usually have a pledge class of 35 men, the new fraternity will be aiming for a larger number.

“The fraternity will start looking for a target of men that will become their leaders and founding fathers,” Ragnesi said. “Once they find enough kids to become part of their fraternity they can move forward.”

Devine said the new fraternity will initially be unhoused.