Alpha Sig coming back

Alpha Sigma Phi will likely be back on campus this fall after its Nov. 3, 1999 suspension for repeated alcohol violations, Dean of Students Richard McKaig said Monday night.\nMeanwhile, junior Kevin Gfell, vice president of rush for the Interfraternity Council, said Monday night he had been told the fraternity will not be allowed to participate in formal rush. \nHe said greek advisers told him the Alpha Sigma Phi national organization will tell IU's chapter today it will not be allowed to participate in formal rush Sept. 1.\n"They are included in our rush books and in our correspondent information," Gfell said. "It's a decision from their national chapter (not to let them participate)."\nThe fraternity will have to wait to be recognized by nationals until IU and the national chapter can agree Alpha Sig has fulfilled formal reinstatement requirements, said John Gibson, national president of Alpha Sigma Phi.\nMcKaig said the fraternity should be back on campus this fall once the requirements are fulfilled. \n"There is a time period for which they are suspended for," McKaig said. "After that they have a right to request to be back. Nationals also review their membership."\nMcKaig's office conditionally agreed to reinstate the fraternity if all the requirements are completed by Sept. 15.\nMcKaig said the request for reinstatement has been received, but there are formalities and conditions he could not specify that have not been finalized. \nSophomore John Martorana, president of Alpha Sigma Phi, said he is confident the fraternity will meet the deadline. \n"The minor requirements were easy, and there is no way we won't meet them," he said.\nMartorana said one of those requirements is having a live-in adviser who will be appointed by Alpha Sig's corporate board and move into the house by October.\nSince its suspension, Alpha Sig has decided to be an alcohol-free house, with all of the current members signing contracts agreeing to this living arrangement.\n"A lot of members chose to deactivate because they didn't want to live in a substance free environment, but the ones that stayed are committed to the policy," Martorana said.\nThere are 50 members in the fraternity, and Martorana said the house is looking to recruit a pledge class of about 40 men when the house is reinstated.\n"We want to change our stereotype, and we are recruiting brothers who are well-rounded people, and we are not hiding the fact we are a substance-free house," Martorana said.\nSome prospective rushees said they feel more at ease about rush after knowing about Alpha Sig's policy.\n"If you were rushing this house it would be good because they wouldn't haze and make you drink," said freshman Kyle Harvey. "I heard stories where fraternities make you drink to the point you are sick, more than the amount you want to drink."\nHarvey's brother Kent, also a freshman, said he agreed.\n"It wouldn't be as intimidating to rush there because there would be less pressure," he said.\nAccording to an IFC alcohol resolution passed April 28, all fraternity functions are required to be alcohol-free unless otherwise approved by the University. \nMartorana said following the guidelines is the fraternity's goal.\n"We want to become the most improved chapter on campus as well as our nationals," he said. "We want to keep violations away"