Fiji returns in full force

Phi Gamma Delta is returning to Penn for the first time this century.

The fraternity, also known as Fiji or Phi Gam, had been an establishment at Penn since 1881.

Fiji fraternity members surrendered the Penn chapter in 1999 following a fatal accident in which an alumnus fell several stories at the fraternity house after he had been drinking heavily.

But last fall, the fraternity came back to campus. Fiji alumni interviewed over 200 interested students before choosing 32 for the new Alpha class.

The new brothers were officially initiated into the fraternity last October and are now looking to reclaim their on-campus house at 3619 Locust Walk.

The house is currently occupied by the Penn Humanities Forum and several other campus groups.

While the 1999 incident sparked a wave of alcohol restrictions across campus, including a new comprehensive alcohol policy, the fraternity is being given a fresh start at the University.

According to Interfraternity Council President David Ashkenazi, a Wharton and College senior, this year the brand new colony is renewing its legacy with "a clean slate."

"This is a completely different set of guys," he said, "and they're starting over."

Jon Strauss, College junior and president of the new fraternity, has his hands full leading Fiji this year.

"We had no idea how it would be coming into rush," he said. "But that's the great thing about Fiji. You can do things your own way."

This spring, Fiji is growing fast - recruitment flyers for open rush could be found all over campus last week, and brothers say Fiji's closed rush is going strong as the brothers court underclassmen to swell the colony's ranks.

According to Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs director Scott Reikofski, the fraternity will be recognized as a full chapter once it gains more members and meets University requirements.

Under the supervision of alumni advisors, fraternity brothers are confident about Fiji's success, following the recolonization efforts of Sigma Pi in 2007 and Zeta Beta Tau the previous year.

According to Strauss, Fiji could be granted its charter as early as spring 2010.

"We're learning a lot," he said. "It's an exhaustive process."

According to Fiji's Web site, the fraternity offers several perks for new pledges, including a $250 scholarship for all students who earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher during their pledge semester.

Justin Burns, director of expansion for Fiji's national organization, is optimistic about the chapter's future.

"Our men are motivated, dedicated to the cause and serious about creating a role model fraternity," he wrote in an e-mail. "We hope that Phi Gamma Delta will rise to the top as one of Penn's strongest fraternities."

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