On Sunday, Vanderbilt’s Phi Delt fraternity was officially installed as the Tennessee Alpha Colony of Phi Delta Theta, a vital step in the fraternity’s recolonization process.
After almost getting completely suspended from campus last year, Phi Delta Theta has created an interest group to attempt the recolonization process for a second time.

“Last year, the previous colony of Phi Delta Theta was suspended by the national fraternity,” said Director of Greek Life Kristin Torrey, “However, after further consideration, the national fraternity chose to move forward with the revitalization efforts to restart an interest group with the men who had once been new members of the colony."

This process left the fraternity with a 15-man interest group, which recruited members throughout the year.

"A headquarters staff member has been working closely with the interest group, which is comprised of men who were at one time new members of Phi Delt and also new men that have been recruited as part of the interest groups, including some past members of Sigma Phi Epsilon who had not yet participated in the Epsilon Rite of Passage,” Torrey said.

Phi Delt President Edin Trto said the colony hasn’t been treated any differently during the recolonization process.

“We're pretty much treated as a chartered fraternity,” Trto said. “We have the same opportunities and powers as any other fraternity and sorority. The challenge is getting coordinated and involved on Greek row and campus in general, because we don’t have a lot of older leadership.”

Phi Delt members are optimistic about the future of the colony on its way to gaining a charter.

“Recolonization is nationals' way of saying that they recognize the viability of having the charter here but we have a few more things to accomplish before we can gain it. If we bring in a solid class, they will be able to see that we can charter here and have a successful chapter. It's like a trial to see how things go,” Trto said.

The leaders of Phi Delta Theta say the progress they’ve made so far has been encouraging.

“To see us having grown from 15 men to 46 now and colonizing in three months,” said Rush Chair Nelson Graham, “it's been really cool to be a part of the rebuilding of a once-elite fraternity and get to shape how the fraternity will act for years to come.”