It can be considered a new Greek organization that is awaiting official recognition from their international headquarters to maintain a chapter on their college’s campus.
The entire membership of the colony remains as uninitiated associates, usually learning and operating under the guidance of an advisor from the national organization and/or from a sponsoring chapter.
Regardless of which word is used, a colony is generally probationary in nature and has not yet been granted a charter or warrant enabling it to have legal status as a unit of the national organization.
However, many organizations have a process that is similar to this: National, or when available, local alumni volunteers will work with the colony to establish effective chapter operations, develop scholarship programs, teach recruitment skills and devise a long-term plan of action.
Nationals also send what can be referred to as "Education Consultants," who are paid by the organization, to spend time with the colony to teach them all of the traditions, values and ways of the fraternity or sorority.
Staff members from the national organizations assist the colony as needed in the process of earning a charter, giving them formal and legal recognition as a chapter.