A new interest group was recognized by the InterFraternity Council Tuesday, which is the first step to becoming a recognized fraternity.

Kappa Sigma, a national fraternity with more than 200 chapters, including locations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Northwestern University, the University of Illinois and Millikin University, asked the IFC for entry into possible colonization at NIU.

The IFC also adopted an expansion policy Tuesday which outlines the steps needed to become an IFC-recognized fraternity.

The policy states it was created to “attract new members that would not join existing groups,” and they “could bring new resources to benefit existing groups (and) new groups.” The policy also “adds increased greek visibility that would benefit the entire system.”

IFC Vice President Dave Stewart said, “IFC has never had (an expansion policy) before” and they are using the University of Iowa’s policy as a model.

David Moyer, Kappa Sigma district grand master, said there are 18 men who have shown interest in a Kappa Sigma chapter on campus and 13 of the men have said they definitely would join.

Assistant Greek Adviser Jim Valentine asked Kappa Sigma Chapter Consultant David Coyne why they chose now as the optimal time to ask for colonization.

Coyne said the greek system can always expand, it would make the members “more fired up” for the leadership conference this summer, and the men would be ready for the fall semester.

IFC President Tom Zur said the IFC wants to see “stability already built in” potential fraternities, and they do not want interest groups “clogging up the system.”

Zur said Kappa Sigma is recognized as an interest group which means they are not members of IFC, and they cannot rush with the other fraternities. He said IFC is not making a “full commitment” yet.

In other business, fraternities are participating in a tug-of-war competition. The tugs will take place Sunday through Friday at Sigma Phi Epsilon house, 924 Greenbrier Road, said Tugs Chairman David Hochberg.