Monmouth Panhellenic and Fraternity and Sorority Life announced in a joint Instagram post on Oct. 15 the return of a former sorority to campus. Zeta Tau Alpha, also known as ZTA or simply Zeta, will recruit new members during Spring 2025 formal sorority recruitment.
The Kappa Nu chapter of ZTA, originally founded on campus in November 1998, closed in November 2018 due to a decision made by ZTA’s National Headquarters, according to Jayde Ware, Associate Director of Student Engagement for Fraternity and Sorority Life.
The decision to bring back ZTA has been in the works for a few years. Ware said, “When Monmouth’s chapter closed, the University was aware that it was the intention of Zeta Tau Alpha to eventually return to Monmouth University. Monmouth University supported their eventual return to campus.”
Ware continued, “When Zeta Tau Alpha left Monmouth, Monmouth Panhellenic voted and passed a Panhellenic Return Agreement which allowed Zeta Tau Alpha to return to Monmouth during the 2021-2022 academic year. During the time that Zeta Tau Alpha has been away, Monmouth University and Zeta Tau Alpha have periodically been in communication regarding their eventual return to campus.”
Because of the communication with Monmouth’s Panhellenic—which is the governing council of the five National-Panhellenic Council (NPC) sororities that include Alpha Sigma Tau, Alpha Xi Delta, Alpha Omicron Pi, Phi Sigma Sigma, and Delta Phi Epsilon—the return of ZTA was coming eventually.
Ware said, “Although the original Return Agreement allowed Zeta Tau Alpha to return during the 2021-2022 year, this was delayed in large part due to the national pandemic. This Fall, Monmouth’s Panhellenic voted to affirm Zeta Tau Alpha’s return to campus. The National Headquarters of the current Panhellenic chapters at Monmouth have stated they affirm the original Return Agreement.”
As specified in a Monmouth Panhellenic and Fraternity and Sorority Life Instagram post, those in the unrecognized group will not be allowed to recruit under the name ZTA in the Spring. The post said, “They [students involved in the unrecognized group] do not have authority nor the permission to use ZTA’s name or likeness to recruit or operate.”
At the start of formal sorority recruitment, Monmouth Panhellenic continues to emphasize that sorority recruitment is only for the sororities affiliated with Monmouth University. Students should report if they are contacted by anyone in an unrecognized group.
This Spring, freshman or sophomores who are going through formal sorority recruitment will have the option to meet ZTA’s National Headquarters staff and determine if that is a sorority they want to join.
Alexa Vizzoni, a senior criminal justice student and President of Alpha Xi Delta, said, “I am excited for there to be more growth in the Greek Life Community. It is exciting to be welcoming back a group to our community.”
Vaughn Clay, Ed.D., and Director of Student Engagement, believes this is an exciting change for Fraternity and Sorority Life. According to Dr. Clay, adding another sorority will increase student engagement.
He emphasized, “Over the past 13 years, Monmouth University has witnessed retention levels of first-year to second-year women who were affiliated with a sorority ranging between 91% to 98%. With that in mind, it is my belief that the addition of another sorority can only help to enhance the degree to which students find a sense of belonging and a greater sense of connectivity at Monmouth University.”
Fraternities are not necessarily involved with a sorority coming back to campus; however, the change impacts Fraternity and Sorority Life as a whole.
Ben Vandenakker, a senior supply chain management student and President of Kappa Sigma, commented, “I think the return of Zeta Tau Alpha is good overall for the campus because this school needs more involvement in Greek life.”
Ava George, a senior elementary education student and President of Monmouth Panhellenic, has been directly involved with the return of ZTA. She commented, “The return of Zeta Tau Alpha to the Monmouth University campus will bring a lot of excitement and new opportunities for student involvement.”
George continued, “ZTA’s return to campus will provide another option for women who are interested in joining Greek life, if they did not feel a home in our other sororities on campus. The return of ZTA will also bring more philanthropic efforts which will benefit the campus and community.”
Ware concluded, “Zeta Tau Alpha is a strong national sorority that has a dedicated alumni group. They’ll bring a lot of excitement and energy for their return to campus, which we’re also excited about.”
