Phi Sigma Kappa recolonizes, looks to regain house

The 99-year-old chapter recolonized on Penn's campus this past April but did not immediately get back its IFC affiliation. Phi Sig President Michael Germano, a Wharton junior, said the chapter will meet with a local advisor in November to help build membership, though he suspects the 11-member chapter will grow rapidly. "Last year we had a strong group of underclassmen interested at the end of the semester," he said. He also added that the chapter intends to pursue its former house at 3615 Locust Walk, but it remains unclear whether the effort will succeed. The Veranda, a student center, has occupied the building for the past year. "It's a challenge but we don't foresee it as a big obstacle," Germano said. "We plan to get a house as soon as we recharter." Provost Robert Barchi was unavailable for comment last night to discuss the possibility of Phi Sig regaining its old house. Now recognized as an official University fraternity, the chapter is working to reacquire a charter from its national organization by the chapter's 100th anniversary next spring, Germano said. In order to receive a charter, the fraternity must meet a number of criteria, including high academic standing, community service initiatives and recognition from the IFC. Tom Recker, the executive vice president of Phi Sig's national chapter, said national Phi Sig officials also will meet with the chapter in January at the fraternity's national leadership conference in Philadelphia. "We are delighted to be back at the Penn campus," Recker added. "It's an academic elite with a long history here." IFC President Mark Metzl said Phi Sig has proved itself to be organized and goal-oriented. "Phi Sigma Kappa showed that it is focusing on expanding its membership and is dedicated to being an active participant in Greek life at Penn," the College senior said. The chapter's average GPA -- second-highest among the nation's 92 Phi Sig chapters last semester at 3.29 -- further suggests, according to Metzl, that Penn's Phi Sig is looking to improve its image. Germano said Phi Sig's goals include expanding brotherhood activities within the chapter, heightening the members' understanding of the University's Greek system and developing stronger ties with the chapter's alumni. "We aim to become the most well-recognized and respected organization on campus," Germano said, noting that Phi Sig intends to do so by establishing life-long relationships; creating a network of connections with organizations and alumni; building a strong financial base to fund activities, scholarships and philanthropy; and maintaining an active position in the IFC. Another major initiative is recruitment, Germano said. Proposed recruitment activities include Monday night football gatherings, dinners and intramural sports for prospective brothers. The Phi Sigma Kappa office and Penn's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs determined in April 1998 -- after two findings of beer kegs within one year as well as a discovered link to pornography on the fraternity's World Wide Web site -- that the brotherhood would be forced to give up its charter.