Gamma Phi Beta will be formally reinstated this weekend and have its new members inducted for the first time since closing its doors on campus in 1993.

The sorority first opened a chapter at Washington University in 1917, but eventually left due to low membership.

The University’s GPB chapter was first established on campus as the sorority’s Phi chapter—meaning it was the 21st chapter formed nationally. The sorority’s reinstallation is happening a year before for the chapter’s 100 year anniversary in 2017.

Coordinator of student involvement and leadership David Stetter said that GPB’s departure was due to a general downward trend of interest in sororities during the 1980s.

“GPB wasn’t closed because of bad behavior, but because of low membership,” Stetter said. “Across the nation during the ‘80s, sororities were merging and smaller chapters were throwing in the towel.”

Stetter believes the sorority’s return to campus was boosted by the organization’s history on campus.

“In January 2015, the Panhellenic Council executive board decided to evaluate the needs of the campus and determined that opening an extension to new sororities was appropriate,” Stetter said. “Lots of local alumni helped to support the sorority and our current students felt that GPB would be the best moving forward.”

Since GPB began its formal recruitment this past January, the sorority has added over 100 women to its roster. Stetter noted that the sorority is focusing its initial efforts on creating a foundation for the new chapter and preparing for the next recruitment class.

“GPB just elected its first set of officers and is still trying to figure out its own identity,” he said. “Next year, they are eligible to run for Panhellenic officer positions and continue to create a presence on campus.”

Although GPB has yet to outline specific plans for working with other Greek organizations, Stetter noted that he is hopeful that the chapter will be highly participative in Greek campus culture.

“It’s a little early to tell how much GPB is working with other frats and sororities, but they are already participating in their events and planning on creating their first philanthropy event next fall,” he said. “I don’t think the sorority will have any problem re-assimilating onto campus.”

Members of Gamma Phi Beta declined to comment on this story.