FIJI looking to rejoin campus as frat next year

(See below for corrections.) Phi Gamma Delta, the fraternity that dissolved in 1999 following the alcohol-related death of alumnus Michael Tobin, will likely be returning to campus in spring 2004. "We were supposed to arrive March 22 [2003] and spend five weeks recolonizing," said Josh Morita, the director of expansion for Phi Gamma Delta at its international headquarters, noting that the plan has been postponed as a result of the ongoing litigation of the Tobin case. "Optimistically, it could happen in the spring of 2004," Morita added. Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski said he anticipates that the fraternity will return, but could not specify when that process may begin. "Their national [headquarters] has put off colonizing," Reikofski said. "End of story." The fraternity better known as FIJI has figured prominently in Penn's Greek system since 1882 -- its history is marked by glory and marred by tragedy. Decades ago, FIJI brothers died in service to the country -- but more recently, FIJI suffered from a trend of alcohol-related incidents that culminated in the 1999 death of 26-year-old 1994 College graduate and FIJI alumnus Michael Tobin. The University is still facing litigation as a result of this incident. Following Tobin's death and the removal of FIJI from its house at 3619 Locust Walk, the University administration formulated a new alcohol policy which incited massive student protests and remains in place today. Some expect that Phi Gamma Delta's return could revive old issues and hard feelings. FIJI's return, initially planned to take place in the upcoming weeks, has been postponed indefinitely. "Unfortunately, with the ongoing lawsuit that stems from the reason why we left campus three years ago, we've had to postpone that, and we're not sure at the moment when we expect to return," Morita said. In the event that FIJI returns, the national organization associated with Phi Gamma Delta would send leadership consultants to Penn's campus who would hold information sessions about the fraternity. FIJI would have to meet the requirements of both the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs and the national organization in order to recolonize, and a special rush would be held by the leadership consultants. "The process of coming back involves jumping through a lot of hoops," said outgoing InterFraternity Council President and Daily Pennsylvanian columnist Conor Daly. "Considering the history of a chapter like this, if and when it comes back, it will be hyperscrutinized. "It will have to meet difficult and challenging criteria," Daly added. "And if they can do this, the Greek system will be happy to have them back, as long as everything is kept in order." Reikofski suggested that the ongoing litigation is only one of several factors that prevented FIJI from recolonizing this semester. Should the fraternity return next spring, however, there will be further complications. Sigma Alpha Mu is tentatively scheduled to recolonize next year as well. SAM was forced to dissolve in 2000 after violating dry rush procedures while on social probation. "I'm not sure there's enough interest for two to three groups to colonize all at once," Reikofski said. Neither Reikofski nor Daly could comment on where the new FIJI house would be established. However, FIJI's old house, currently occupied by the McNeil Center for Early American Studies, will soon be vacated. Thanks to a recent $6 million donation, the McNeil Center is moving to 34th and Walnut streets.

Corrections

This story notes that FIJI's old house will soon be vacated. While one of the building's occupants, the McNeil Center, will relocate, the other occupant, the Penn Humanities Forum, will continue to reside at 3916 Locust Walk.