Fraternities recolonize

Greek houses seem to pop up as quickly as they disappear. Over the last several years, Delta Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Theta Chi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon have had their chapters pulled from campus. However, many wonder what happens to these organizations after they are removed. Phi Kappa Tau recolonized last spring after being absent from campus for over four years and Beta Theta Pi and Sigma Lambda Beta already have colonized during this semester. \nTau Kappa Epsilon is trying to return to campus next semester and Sigma Alpha Epsilon is looking to recolonize in 2005.\n"In the majority of cases, fraternities leave and a few weeks later there's discussion between the University about when it is appropriate to return to campus," said senior Evan Waldman, president of the Interfraternity Council.\nExpelled fraternity chapters petition an expansion committee made up of University officials. The expansion committee presents a series of requirements to the potential chapter. These requirements include the academic standing of members, goals of the chapter and community service hours. \n"The committee then decides if they are meeting requirements to return to campus," said IU Director of Student Activities Stevan Veldkamp.\nThe chapter also has to be approved by its national headquarters, which must decide whether to support the chapter and its members. The organization's application is then reviewed by IFC, Panhellenic Organization, Panhellenic Council and the Multicultural Greek Council. Criteria for acceptance include tradition on campus and alumni and headquarters support.\n"Organization is very important," Waldman said. "One fraternity's game plan must be better than the others'."\nA chapter's reinstatement usually occurs at least three to five years after its expulsion. This is done to make sure all the previous members have graduated and to guarantee the incoming members a fresh start.\nBut starting a new chapter can be difficult. Phi Kappa Sigma, also known as Skulls, was established at IU in March 2001 after petitioning to its national headquarters.\n"We had to fill out like a book of paperwork," said senior Dax Brodhacker, founding member of Skulls. "It was a lot of hard work, but it was definitely worth it."\nBeta Theta Pi is currently in the process of recolonizing.\n"We're having officer elections," said sophomore Wes Podell, a member of Beta Theta Pi. "We basically have to start afresh. It's going great ... One of the biggest challenges was finding the right guys, and I think we found them."\nThe University and the reviewing committee also must avoid too many chapters returning in the same year. \n"It's tough to compete when you're just starting out in regards to recruitment," Waldman said. \nReasons for expulsion also play a part in the reinstatement of certain chapters. It is the responsibility of the University and the fraternity's national headquarters to reduce the risk of a "negative shift in fraternity values," Waldman said.\n"It's a risk management issue," Veldkamp said. "Alcohol poisoning and hazing may warrant expulsion."\n-- Contact staff writer Aaron Uslan at auslan@indiana.edu.