The Psi Upsilon fraternity received provisional recognition this week, and is therefore free to begin recruiting new members, according to Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Acting Director Scott Reikofski. And Psi U may return to its former home in the Castle, which is now home to the Community Service Living Program. "I think they will eventually move back," Reikofski said. "But it is hard to say. There are other options they are looking into." Psi U was thrown off campus in May 1990 after members kidnapped a member of a rival fraternity, chained him to pole, and directed racial slurs at him. Members of the chapter continued in an underground group known as the Owl Society, which was disaffiliated from the national chapter. Psi U consultant Michael Corwin, a College of General Studies student, said he is working to organize the new chapter by building a core group of prospective members man by man -- instead of accepting an entire group. "We're taking a different tact," he said. "There is a lot to overcome. We want to reshape our chapter." He also said that the group is committed to the national Psi U fraternity's non-hazing policy and traditional values. "Integrity is going to be a cornerstone of our chapter," said Corwin. "The chapter will be founded on ideas. We're going to do it on a friendship basis. It will be inclusive, not exclusive." He said that until now, he has not been able to officially recruit new members. But Corwin added that several people at the University have approached him about resurrecting the chapter. Psi U attempted on two occasions -- in 1993 and last spring -- to return to the campus, but they met with no success. Corwin describes the kidnapping event that led to Psi U's demise as "an egregious event" that will not affect the new chapter. "The event is in and of itself and is lamentable," he said. "We firmly believe the past was terrible. "Our purpose is not to vindicate ourselves," Corwin added. "It is the development of integrity and character." He said that it will take at least two years for the chapter to gain full recognition, as they have to fulfill 16 steps set out by OFSA. These include setting up bank accounts, achieving membership goals and aligning alumni support. Corwin is prepared to bring the fraternity to campus. As an undergraduate at Washington State University, he helped found that school's Psi U chapter. The Theta Xi fraternity, which also had its recognition revoked, is making headway on its struggle to return to campus as well. "It is a very exciting time," Reikofski said. "As new groups come on, it starts to change the character of the system." Theta Xi lost recognition in the fall of 1992 after its house sustained significant property damage after a party. According to Reikofski, Theta Xi will face a milestone this weekend, as its alumni group decides whether to colonize the existing interest group. And judging from his discussions with Theta Xi alumni, Reikofski expects things to go smoothly. But he said Theta Xi members will be required to meet high academic and conduct standards if they do receive recognition. Reikofski added that the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity is also up for recolonization this year, and that its national office has expressed some interest in returning. However, he said he expects no action until spring. Phi Kap was kicked off campus in the summer of 1994 for consistently failing to meet with the national chapter's standards. The chapter's house is currently occupied by the Delta Delta Delta sorority -- the first sorority to obtain a house on Locust Walk. Reikofski said the University has room for more Greek organizations -- as less than a third of the student body is presently involved in the Greek system. "A lot depends on how they approach the campus," he said. "Chapters need to look at the situation and to market themselves as something different."
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