Phi Gamma Delta to recolonize at MU

The fraternity will hold a six-week recruitment period.

By Travis Cornejo

Published June 2, 2010

The Phi Gamma Delta fraternity will re-colonize at MU in the fall semester after a four-year absence from MU. Originally chartered in 1899, the Chi Mu Chapter left MU in May of 2006 after members voted to return the charter to International Headquarters.

"It wasn't like some of the situations we've had more recently, where they've lost recognition," Greek Life Coordinator Julie Drury said. "They just decided, 'We don't really want to mess with it.'"

In April, Phi Gamma Delta Expansion Director Jesse Hitt sent a letter to Chi Mu alumnus asking if they supported a recolonization at MU.

"The decision to recolonize must be mutual," Hitt said in the letter. "We need to make sure there is a commitment from the Chi Mu graduate brothers before we pursue the opportunity."

According to the Phi Gamma Delta - Chi Mu Chapter's website, more than 100 members supported the recolonization.

"We have a process for any group wanting to colonize, or re-colonize on campus," Drury said. "There are two phases that our office works with them on."

Phase one includes meeting with stakeholders, discussing the processes the colony must go through and answering any questions pertaining to it.

"For groups that are recolonizing, part of that phase one meeting is talking about the reasons why they left and how to avoid that happening again," Drury said.

According to Maneater archives, the fraternity voted to return their charter after receiving several hazing-related sanctions. The sanctions ended in May 2009. The meeting included Greek Life Adviser Danny Jonas, IFC President Brandon Green, two staff members from Phi Gamma Delta Headquarters and six to eight Chi Mu alumni. Drury said they're now in the process of phase two.

This process involves another meeting with stakeholders to discuss the colony's new member program, member development program and advisory board structure. Additionally, Drury said the Office of Greek Life would help the colony with other needs, such as providing them with a mailbox and making campus reservations, as they are not yet a university-recognized organization.

"After school starts, they'll be meeting with different students on campus -- meeting with Greek students and non Greek students and essentially starting their recruitment process, to recruit members for the colony," Drury said.

In his letter, Hitt asked alumnus to provide names of any prospective members. Drury said Phi Gamma Delta would probably be looking for students who are interested in being a part of something new.

"One of the cool things about a recolonization is that it takes what the organization is about, and what it was founded upon, and they can build from that, rather than a group starting what they think a fraternity is supposed to be like," Drury said.

Chi Mu's recruitment period will last for six weeks.

"During the six-week period, fraternity staff members would recruit colony members, train key graduate advisors, build relationships within the Greek community and hold a retreat and training session for new colony members," Hitt said.

According to Chi MU's website, when the chapter left MU in 2006, the Board of Trustees was unable to find enough funds to retain ownership or a suitable renter for the chapter's home at 704 College Ave. The house was eventually sold to the Christian Campus House, allowing the Board of Trustees to repay debt and preserve enough money for any future needs.