In an unprecedented move, a University fraternity that lost its national charter this summer has sought and gained recognition by the Multicultural Greek Council.
After the fraternity's national revoked the charter in June, former members of the University's chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity are one step closer to achieving University recognition with a new name, Phi Delta Alpha, and a new affiliation with the Multicultural Greek Council.
The MGC, a Greek umbrella organization that includes the University's Latino fraternity, Latine sorority and Asian-oriented sorority, accepted Phi Delta Alpha under its auspices in a closed-door meeting last night.
In July, Phi Delta Theta Executive Vice President Bob Biggs said the University chapter lost its charter for violating risk management policies.
Risk management policies are a set of behavioral guidelines put forth by Phi Delta Theta nationals that each chapter must follow.
The University's Phi Delta Theta chapter also lost Inter-Fraternity Council recognition.
Phi Delta Theta nationals now are in the process of recolonizing the University's chapter as a dry fraternity.
Phi Delta Alpha President Brendan Dignan said the fraternity sought recognition from the MGC because it was the "best opportunity for us to obtain Fraternal Organization Agreement [FOA] recognition."
An FOA is the document that sets forth the relationship between the University, a fraternity and an umbrella fraternal governing body, such as the Multi-Cultural Greek Council or the Inter-Fraternity Council.
The University revoked Phi Delta Theta's FOA after the national chapter revoked its charter, ending its recognition by the University.
Asst. Dean of Students Aaron Laushway said MGC recognition is one of the key steps toward Phi Delta Alpha's regaining recognition from the University and its FOA.
It is quite likely Phi Delta Alpha will be recognized by the University, Laushway said.
Dignan said he and other Phi Delta Alpha members intend to work with the IFC to participate in regular IFC rush and fall under IFC party-patrol regulations.
Laushway said such cooperation is unprecedented at the University.
IFC President Justin Saunders could not be reached for comment.
Dignan declined to comment on specific reasons why Phi Delta Alpha did not seek IFC alignment, and Laushway also declined to comment on the issue.
Dignan said Phi Delta Alpha members "find there is better [prospects] for future growth under the MGC" than under the IFC.
MGC President Michael McPheeters said the group "enthusiastically accepted" Phi Delta Alpha as a member, although he declined to disclose the exact vote of the MGC members on the question of whether to admit Phi Delta Alpha.
McPheeters said he felt Phi Delta Alpha will be a "good addition" to the MGC because of its strong alumni base and its philanthropic efforts.
MGC Vice President Sakwa Bunyasi said the group is "excited" to be establishing a working relationship with Phi Delta Alpha, and that he hopes to see them add to the tradition being built by the MGC.
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