The number of chapters in the Interfraternity Council just increased to 53.
The IFC welcomed their new member, a colony of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, at their bi-monthy delegates meeting last night. The meeting was held at Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, 524 Locust Lane.
The new chapter does not include members of the previous Alpha Sigma Phi chapter. The old fraternity members were evicted from their house last fall by their national affiliation for violating risk management policies.
Of the 47 ballots cast, the new chapter received the two-thirds majority needed for the motion to pass. The specific proportion of assenting and dissenting votes will not be released, IFC President Jon Brooks said.
In accordance with their national affiliation, the chapter house will be substance-free but the chapter will be able to attend social functions, said Michael Kennedy, president of Alpha Sigma Phi.
"Alcohol-free housing has become a requirement for any new Alpha Sigma Phi colony or chapter," said Kennedy.
The chapter has also decided to have a mandatory 20 hours of community service for each of their members.
The next step in the process will be a petition to the national association for their charter. Once the chapter recruits 50 members, they can apply for their charter, said Kennedy.
Contrary to popular rumors, the new colony does not consist of a group of men from the Penn State Altoona campus.
"Our colony consists of 25 University Park students. These rumors are not true," said Adam Steinhaus, vice president of the new Alpha Sigma Phi chapter.
The colony began to organize last spring. Founding father Michael Cocco (sophomore-business administration) was the first to contact the national Alpha Sigma Phi office to inquire about establishing a new colony at Penn State. Cocco started the re-colonization process, recruiting by word of mouth.
"For the past year, our entire group has been working hard to get where we are today. . .it's the first step in a long journey that we're very excited to pursue," Cocco said.
For the next year Alpha Sigma Phi will have a probationary status, which does not allow them to have full voting rights, said Brooks. They will not be under any IFC restrictions but will be carefully monitored.
The brothers of Alpha Sigma Phi will soon repopulate their fraternity house, 238 E. Fairmount Ave. Since it was vacated last fall, fraternity alumni had maintained ownership of the house, said Kennedy.
There was widespread support among the delegates for their new members. Prior to the vote Terry Boles, Kappa Alpha Order 234 E. Beaver Ave., spoke about the high quality of the group. After their membership was approved, congratulations came from all sides.
"This decision was a long time coming and these guys have put a lot of work into it, they deserve it," Brooks said.
