Sigma Chi is in the process of recolonizing their chapter after being kicked off campus 11 years ago.
A new colony is in Athens. Instead of settling a new land, a fraternity, after a decade off campus, is looking for a crucial resource in familiar territory: new recruits.
Sigma Chi is currently engaged in the “year-and-a-half” long process of “recolonizing” its chapter at Ohio University to rejoin greek life, said Preston Lees, the organization’s expansion coordinator.
The colonization period — which includes recruiting on campus, drawing alumni support and building a foundation for a future chapter — was set in motion this past summer, Lees said.
“The reason we’re here is that there’s a lot of alumni and since there’s been some time, they want to recolonize the chapter,” said Justin Brandt, a Sigma Chi chapter support coordinator. “We think it’s the right time.”
In 2003, Sigma Chi was suspended for three years and have been off campus ever since, according to previous Post reports.
The suspension initially arose from an alcohol-laden party at the former Athens Recreation Center Nov. 17, 2002 where the group’s former members caused $1,000 in property damage. Fifteen people were arrested for underage drinking; university policy stipulates no alcohol at fraternity events.
At first, OU sought to permanently expel the group. But the fraternity’s initial punishment was later substantially reduced. After they appealed their suspension down to three years, the fraternity did not return to OU in 2006.
The fraternity was forced to vacate their residence at 15 Park Place. OU bought that property in 2008 for $700,000, converting it into the Walter International Education Center.
“It was the only time an expulsion was reduced to a suspension penalty,” John F. Burns, the lawyer who defended the university in the court case 11 years ago, recently told The Post. “I’m a little surprised it took this long for them to recolonize. By now, 99.9 percent of the people involved (in the situation in 2003) are gone and it changes the people’s perception of the brothers.”
Lees and Brandt plan to have a fresh start with this colony, distancing it from the organization’s past actions.
“I think one of the main things to combat (past incidents) is to focus on recruiting guys that are focused on the right thing,” Lees said while he worked to recruit new members at Baker University Center last week. “We want to get people that more focused on the values of Sigma Chi and leadership.”
It also gives Sigma Chi’s national organization and OU alumni “a fresh start” after the controversy last decade, Brandt said. “We can establish the right mindset and culture from the beginning,” he added.
Lees and Brandt have hosted several events to attract new members.
“For (my friends and I), personally, it’s just starting our own chapter and starting fresh from everyone before us,” said Tony Safford, a freshman studying political science who expressed interest in joining the colony.
Sigma Chi’s recruitment process — separate from the 15 other members of the Interfraternity Council — began Monday, Sept. 22 and will finish during Homecoming, on Oct. 11.
“I’m a legacy,” said Jimmy Evans, a freshman studying communication studies. “My dad and grandpa were in (Sigma Chi). Sigma Chi also has very good morals.”
Correction: The incident that resulted in the suspension of Sigma Chi occurred Nov. 17, 2002 rather than Nov. 17, 2003.
@LukeFurmanOU
lf491413@ohio.edu
