Beginning this school year, Saint Louis University will get its sixth sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha.

“Starting a new chapter with new traditions is very exciting,” said freshman Jessica Vinduska. The Bid Day celebration took place on Sept. 9.

According to ZTA extension Director Karen Mills, more than 120 women pledged during the celebration. There was recruitment for sophomores, juniors and seniors and a separate formal recruitment for freshmen.

“I chose ZTA because it’s brand new, and we can build it to be what we want it to be,” said freshman Kara Fahrney.

“Once we colonize within the next week or two, the colony will receive chapter goals,” said Mills.

The colony has to reach certain goals in order to become a chapter.

The chapter goals include maintaining its membership, completing a seven-week, new-membership program, completing a philanthropy project, and completing at least one service project.

The colony will have meetings once a week to start planning a sisterhood retreat, socials and service projects.

“In a couple of weeks, we are going to have our first social event,” said Vinduska.

Members are encouraged to participate in service projects, such as giving out breast-cancer-awareness ribbons at a St. Louis Rams’ game, said Mills. They will also hand out breast self-examination stickers and shower cards promoting regular examination.

ZTA’s national philanthropy is breast cancer education and awareness.

According to Mills, ZTA is the only group to have its philanthropy slogan, “Think Pink,” trademarked.

“As a sorority, we may not be able to cure breast cancer, but our mission is to increase awareness that breast cancer can be prevented by early detection and education,” Mills said.

“A lot of people are looking forward to the breast cancer awareness projects . It’s a big deal to ZTA,” said Fahrney.

“Zeta should be something that enhances [the members’] time at SLU,” said Mills about ZTA’s goals for its move to the campus.