Psi Upsilon trying to regain Castle from U.

Still seeking re-recognition The Psi Upsilon fraternity may return to its former house at the center of campus if the fraternity is re-recognized by the University later this semester. Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said yesterday that the University and Psi Upsilon are presently sorting out details from an agreement made by the two parties in the 1950's. Apparently, one of the terms of the agreement says if Psi Upsilon ever lost its house on Locust Walk and 36th Street, better known as the Castle, the fraternity could have the option of moving into the building at 3609-11 Locust Walk, McCoullum said. The University revoked Psi Upsilon's charter in 1990 after fraternity brothers kidnapped a member of Delta Psi, a rival fraternity. The brother was abducted from his apartment, handcuffed to a pole and had racial slurs yelled at him by several Psi Upsilon brothers in January 1990. All members of Psi Upsilon were ultimately kicked out of the Castle. The Community Service Living Learning Program is currently housed there. Psi Upsilon is currently in the process of reapplying to the University for re-recognition. Phillip Timon, president of Psi Upsilon of Philadelphia, said members of the local alumni organization appeared in front of the Greek Alumni Council last week. And Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Tricia Phaup is expected to soon make a decision regarding Psi Upsilon's future at the University. "I'm hopeful in a couple of weeks she will make a decision," Timon said. Phaup could not be reached for comment yesterday. Officials in the Psi Upsilon fraternity said they are more concerned about how to re-organize a chapter if the fraternity is re-recognized than they are with where the chapter would be housed. "It would be putting the cart in front of the horse to worry about real estate," Timon said. Mark Williams, executive director of Psi Upsilon's national headquarters, echoed Timon's sentiments. "Fraternities tend to succeed a little faster if new members spend time on the organization rather than the property," he said. Williams said his office has no involvement in any property discussions. Negotiations are being conducted between the University and the Psi Upsilon chapter of Philadelphia. Timon said it is unclear exactly who owns the Castle. "Ultimately the University would like to own the Castle outright," Timon said. "And ultimately we would like recognition of the fact that we bought the property, built the house and maintained it for almost 100 years." Deputy Vice Provost George Koval said the fraternity must recolonize before an agreement on housing is finalized. The Community Service Living Learning Program will once again be housed in the Castle next fall, he added. But McCoullum said she is not sure where the community service program will be located in the future. "If for any reason we had to relocate [the program], all of us would work closely with the program to try to make them as comfortable as possible in a new location," she said. Psi Upsilon officials said they realize there could be controversy if they return to the Castle. "There would be scrutiny no matter who is in there," Williams said. "Given its prominent location, it would be like living in a fishbowl." Koval said the University's General Counsel is in charge of the negotiations. He added that no decision has yet been made on what will be done with the property at 3609-11 Locust Walk, which is currently vacant. Associate General Counsel Neil Hamburg refused to comment on the issue.