The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity will return to the University of Maryland campus after its charter was suspended four years ago.
Matt Supple, Department of Fraternity & Sorority Life director, said Pi Kappa Alpha, or PIKE, fulfilled the “terms of the conditions that we set before they could come back.”
During the fall 2011 semester, chapter members caused thousands of dollars in damages to hotel rooms during a weekend trip while the chapter was on probation, leading to the suspension of its charter.
Backed by both the university and the fraternity’s international headquarters, the new endeavor has been in the works for more than a year. Josh Murphy, director of expansion for the fraternity, said he has been working closely with the Department of Fraternity & Sorority Life to ensure the success of the new chapter.
“It was truly a joint effort between the university and the fraternity,” Murphy said. “I don’t want anyone to view it as PIKE just coming to campus. It was methodically thought out.”
To begin recruiting new members, the fraternity’s New England and Atlantic coast regional consultants Jeff Farris and Devon Teixeira will be on the campus to meet with faculty, staff, clubs, sororities and other organizations from Feb. 12 to March 12 to seek out interested candidates.
The fraternity finds its members through a recommendation-based process, which Murphy said he considers one of its best qualities. Anyone can recommend male students considered to meet the fraternity’s standards.
“The recruitment process is very unique and special,” Murphy said. “I’m very proud of our expansion process and how we literally target the best men on campus, the men who can truly take a responsibility like this and create a new fraternity.”
He said the experience of creating something new at this university’s PIKE chapter should bring in a number of members.
“There are a lot of great fraternities already on campus, but [PIKE is] an opportunity to create their niche as opposed to joining a niche,” he said. “We’re recruiting anywhere from freshman all the way up to senior.”
Supple said he hopes the new chapter will boast young men “who embody the values that PIKE embodies and are hoping to create in their new organization” — specifically scholars, leaders, athletes and gentlemen, as the fraternity’s website touts.
Although Murphy said all of the characteristics of a worthy member should not be overlooked, he stresses the importance of being a gentleman.
“You might find someone who’s a scholar, a leader and an athlete, but if he’s not a gentleman, then there’s no room in our organization,” Murphy said. “We’re looking for men who are going to treat the campus and the community with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
Christine Licata, Interfraternity Council adviser for the Department of Fraternity & Sorority Life and a key liaison between the fraternity and the university, said she appreciates how organized, upfront and communicative the fraternity has been.
“I hope that they recruit a large number of fraternity men who are interested in why fraternities were created: to build better men and to make our community stronger, healthier and more inclusive,” Licata said. “I am looking for scholars and leaders — people who give back to their community and build others up through the Greek experience.”