Phi Sig looks to recolonize at U.

Phi Sigma Kappa's national organization is in talks to bring the fraternity back to Penn. The national office of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity is in talks with Penn's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs about forming a new colony on campus this spring, according to OFSA Director Scott Reikofski. The fraternity's Indianapolis-based national office suspended the University's previous Phi Sig charter last spring after the brothers repeatedly violated alcohol and risk-management policies. Phi Sig Director of Member Recruitment Sean Shingler confirmed that the brotherhood is looking to return. "We do have an interest group of approximately 10 students interested in starting a new chapter," he said. Shingler visited the students and OFSA officials in late February and said he will return March 31, "hopefully" recolonizing by April 15. The Phi Sig national placed the old chapter's members on alumni status last spring and has prohibited them from associating with the new group. Students interested in reforming the fraternity said they want to have an active chapter by March 2000, the 100th anniversary of the fraternity. If it recolonizes, the fraternity will have provisionary recognition from the InterFraternity Council. Once it receives its own charter, it will receive full recognition, according to OFSA Assistant Director Tom Carroll. Wharton sophomore Michael Germano, who is one of the interested students, stressed that he wants the fraternity to focus on "creating leaders and creating bonds? rather than just partying." Germano added that obtaining a house will have to be a "long-term goal" since the fraternity is now working on securing funding and membership. He said the new group wants to move into the former chapter's house at 3615 Locust Walk -- currently the Veranda, a temporary student center -- when Houston Hall reopens next year. But Carroll said the fraternity will not have the opportunity to move into its old site. "They lost all rights and privileges to that property," Carroll said. College junior Dan Grabell, who is also helping to found the new Phi Sig colony on campus, contacted Shingler last fall after transferring last spring from Cornell University, where he said he was impressed with the Phi Sig chapter. "I wasn't happy with how [Penn's] chapter was run and with the quality of the brothers [last year]," he said, adding that Cornell's brothers were "leaders, presidents [and] people getting fellowships." Shingler, who maintained contact with the founders over spring break, said he has established a five-member alumni board to monitor the new fraternity.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.