Chapters of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia - Formation and Closure

Formation and Closure

Chapters are formed by the granting of charters to petitioning groups at qualified institutions of higher education. The only basic qualification for an institution to house a chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is that it offer a four-year degree in music. Prior to receiving a charter, petitioning groups must seek recognition as a colony, which is the designation given to a developing chapter. After being recognized as a colony, the petitioning group must complete the fraternity's Colony Program, which consists of numerous activities designed to help the group organize itself as an effective and viable branch of the fraternity. After completing all aspects of the Fraternity's Colony Program, a colony may be approved by the Commission on Standards to receive a chapter charter.

Chapter charters may be recalled by the Commission on Standards for operational or disciplinary reasons resulting in inactive status or charter revocation, respectively. Inactive chapters may be reactivated through the Colony Program. A group at an institution that formerly housed a chapter that was expelled or that had its charter revoked can petition for colony status in order to reactivate the chapter, but not until seven years have passed from the date of the charter revocation.