"Phi Kappa Tau recognized as chapter "

AOII_Luv · #1 04-26-2005, 07:43 AM

Phi Kappa Tau recognized as chapter

By Haley Beck | Indiana Daily Student | Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Two years of hard work for the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity culminated April 9 with the official installation of its charter, which recognizes it as a chapter of the national fraternity.

Forty-two newly initiated members were presented with their charter in the State Room of the Indiana Memorial Union.

"It was outstanding," said Rick Wilson, assistant domain director for Phi Kappa Tau national fraternity. "By every measure it was a very special evening."

Geoff Heisey, acting chairman of the board of governors, said even though the entire event was put together by the chapter, a professional event planner could not have done better.

"I don't think I've ever been so proud to be a Phi Tau," he said. "There were wonderful speakers who know what the organization is all about: building men of character. Our men really personify that."

The fraternity has been absent from the IU greek community for 12 years, after a decline in membership led to the local Beta Lambda chapter voluntarily turning in its charter in 1993.

Heisey was part of the last group of Phi Kappa Taus at IU before the current group.

"In the late '80s and early '90s, we lost our identity as a frat," Heisey said. "We failed to recruit because we couldn't figure out what kind of organization we wanted to be. We lost our way."

Heisey said he decided to become a part of the fledgling group at IU after hearing of the group's recolonization. Being a part of the fraternity in 1993 made him even more determined to make this group a success.

"Being there when the charter was turned in was not a happy time for me," he said. "That failure prompted me to become involved and make sure they are successful."

Heisey said the character and energy of the new group led him to believe the men would be successful in their efforts to reinstate the fraternity on campus.

Junior Ryan Healy, president of the new chapter, said the group's next big hurdle is finding housing on campus. He said although 11 members currently occupy an unofficial house on 18th and Lincoln, not having a central location can cause some logistical problems for the fraternity.

"Getting everyone together and communication is sometimes difficult," Healy said. "We have things like a phone tree and listserv, but we want to establish permanent housing as soon as possible."

Healy said now that the group is an official chapter, recruitment and alumni support will improve.

"A lot of our alumni are coming back who were upset about '93 and leery of whether we could pull it off," he said. "We also have a better understanding of the frat itself. It's easier to explain, and we have more to offer to new guys."

Healy said there are benefits to joining a fraternity in such early stages.

"We have something really unique going on here," he said. "Although we've chartered, there is still much more to do. You have a lot more control over the direction the fraternity goes in the next few years."