Pikes ready to start over on campus

Two years after a sophomore died at Pi Kappa Alpha, the fraternity is ready to begin again.\nThe Pikes, residing at 1012 E. Third St., were officially reinstated May 15. The fraternity had to clear a series of hurdles, including an interview process conducted by the national organization.\n"Over the last year, we have tried to prove ourselves to be scholars by succeeding in the classroom, (being) leaders on campus and within the community, and trying to portray ourselves in a positive light," said Pikes President Tim Kolar, a junior.\nThe fraternity was suspended by the University and its national organization after the alcohol-related death of member Joseph Bisanz on Dec. 13, 1998.\n"When we went unrecognized by the University, we had a significant amount of work that we both needed and wanted to accomplish," Kolar said. "Our ultimate goal was to meet the standards that were set upon us by both the University, our nationals and our alumni."\nIU is now ready to give the fraternity another chance on campus.\n "I really expect big things after having met with them and seen their sincerity," said Dean of Students Richard McKaig. "I am expecting them to be a fraternity in the best sense of the word."\nThe national organization also was pleased to see the Pikes reinstalled.\n"Over the years, it has been a long-standing chapter, and we are happy they are back on campus," said Eric Wulf, Pi Kappa Alpha national executive director. "We are just happy the University, the chapter and us came together to rectify the situation. We expect them to remain in compliance with the rules and regulations of the University and the national organization."\nAfter working for nearly two years to be reinstalled on campus, fraternity members are ready and eager to get involved with campus activities.\n"We are very eager to get back on campus and involved heavily (in) what we missed being away for a year," said Reinstatement Chairman Ben Cipra, a senior. "The greek system has evolved a lot in the time we were off campus."\nThat evolution was a result of Bisanz's death, which had far-reaching implications for the entire greek system. The tragedy was the first of its kind on the Bloomington campus, and administrators responded with a series of new drinking policies, including parental notification for underage drinking. Students have also since been offered more alcohol-awareness and risk management programs than ever before.\nThe Pikes also plan to support new Interfraternity Council alcohol regulations, for which the fraternity did not have voting rights.\n"We do feel that the University is moving in the right direction, and that RAMP 2000 is a brilliant idea," Kolar said. "We are advocates of the new policy and will give the University 100 percent of our support." \nRAMP 2000, Responsible Alcohol Management Program, is the recently instituted alcohol policy that says all fraternities must have their alcohol served by a third-party vendor, among other stipulations. \nKolar said the Pikes are ready to make a difference at IU.\n"We are now willing to once again be leaders on this campus," he said.