emory πκα and tufts δτδ illustrate anatomy of a refounding

The frequent remedy for incorrigibly errant chapters who nonetheless maintain a strong membership is derecognition followed by refounding several years later, to maintain campus reputation while excising the troublesome actives. Such was the lot of Pi Kappa Alpha at Emory University, which was dercognized by both the university and its national in 2004 for unspecified but chronic infractions. So abject were their sins that the Interfraternity Council felt obligated to champion their ouster; the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life recalls that "the attitude of the members was such, that they were untouchable," and that in the end the IFC "presented its evidence and documentation to the vice president for Campus Life, who agreed that the blatant disregard for University and IFC policies warranted removal."

But now representatives from Pi Kappa Alpha international are on campus gauging the temperature of the student body and seeking recruits. The IFC recently voted unanimously to permit Pike to recolonize, and Pike is assiduously putting together a taskforce of interested actives, regional alumni, professional staff, and university resources to get the chapter back on its feet. The only folks not invited to the party? Former active members from the failed chapter: "We are starting with a blank canvas. If there are students on campus that were a part of the chapter when we revoked the charter [they] were automatically placed on alumni status and thus cannot become members of the colony," explained one of the Pike staff, Duncan Robinson.

Mr Robinson further adverted to the caliber of brother they were seeking, citing the fraternity's program calling for "S.L.A.G., which stands for Scholars, Leaders, Athletes and Gentlemen." That is a very unfortunate acronym. Very unfortunate. Though probably the reverse order ("G.A.L.S.") would be worse.

A similar process is underway for Delta Tau Delta at Tufts University; though there the misdeeds are specified as debauchery and hazing that almost led to a pledge's death. They too stress that "it is very important for the community to note that the new Delta Tau Delta at Tufts will not be the same chapter that was expelled." And in a particularly odd twist of date, the chapterhouses of both the erstwhile Pike and DTD are now occupied by chapters of Alpha Epsilon Pi, which on this evidence must hover vulture-like over beleaguered chapters waiting to snap up their house. No fears for either, though: AEPi is scheduled to be ejected from both houses once the new colonies are up and running.

Emory WheelTufts Daily