Chi Omega, a National Panhellenic Conference women’s fraternity with the largest membership in the United States, is coming back to Georgia Southern University after a 23-year absence.

After having a chapter at GS from 1976-1993, the organization has a large and enthusiastic alumnae base. Large recruitment numbers among other sororities and cooperation from the Department of Fraternity and Sorority life made Chi Omega want to recolonize GS. Chi Omega did not leave on bad terms, so GS was accommodating and welcoming to them returning to campus.

A group of national representatives are on campus to recruit new members to establish the chapter. They hope to get 200 women to join, which is the average membership for other sororities on the GS campus.

Chi Omega hopes to bring something new and unique to Greek life on GS campus. One of their unique selling points is their main philanthropy, the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Chi Omega will try to bring a more structured relationship between the Make-A-Wish Foundation and GS in order to serve children in our community.

Having Chi Omega back at Georgia Southern means a lot to the alumnae who were members before the chapter closed. The national representatives expressed that they felt very welcome on Georgia Southern’s campus.

“I always feel relaxed when I’m here. It’s just a relaxing atmosphere, people are easy to talk to, people are fun to talk to, it’s fun to meet people here,” Payton Gartman, the director of extension/special projects for Chi Omega, said.

Chi Omega owns a lot on Greek row between the houses of Zeta Tau Alpha and Alpha Omicron Pi. They plan to break ground in the summer or fall of 2018 and have the house ready for rush by fall of 2019.