The Observer, February 2, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 15
Phi Gamma Delta returns to Case after two-year hiatus
The Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, or FIJI, closed its Case chapter in 2004 amidst low membership and drug and alcohol violations. This week, representatives from the national fraternity arrived on campus to find members for the newest pledge class of its long-standing Xi Deuteron chapter.
Phi Gamma Delta was originally founded in 1875 on the Western Reserve campus and remained an active fraternity until its members and national headquarters closed the chapter two years ago.
"We've found that a two-year window gives time to plan and graduate men," said FIJI field secretary Marcus Hitt, one of the two representatives recruiting men on Case's campus. "It gives us the ability to start things right."
Phi Gamma Delta is in a unique position; because the national organization, rather than the university, made the decision to close the chapter, the new members will find themselves a part of a full chapter by May, without having to be part of a colonization process.
The fraternity's plan to recruit new men started off Jan. 21 and will continue through the next few weeks with info sessions, community service, and sorority involvement.
The info sessions, which took place this week, were designed to give interested men an introduction to the fraternity. FIJI also plans to do a service recruitment event at Abbington Arms.
Sororities are getting involved in the recruitment process through a sort of competition; the chapters earn points based on how many men they recommend to FIJI and how many actually join, as well as for wearing "Be a FIJI gentleman" buttons around campus.
"We are very thankful for the sorority recommendations," said Hitt. "We'd met with many interested men even before the info sessions, which is unusual."
The fraternity will also make its presence known by participating in the spring leadership conference in February. They will present a program called "Taking the Lead" developed by FIJI alumnus Kenneth Blanchard.
Each prospective member of FIJI will go through a three-tier interview process to determine whether the fraternity is a good fit for him. The process will culminate in an "Evening with the FIJIs" on Feb. 22, a campus event to unveil the founding pledge class for the new chapter.
Phi Gamma Delta is nationally recognized for academics, and offers incentives to members to keep up scholarship. Each new member that receives at least a 3.0 during his pledge semester will receive a $250 Academic Acheivement Award. Unaffiliated men at Case can apply for the White Star scholarships made available based on merit and need for up to $1000 each year.
There are also many other scholarships for Case men affiliated with Phi Gamma Delta made possible by endowments from past brothers, totalling over $10,000 per year. In the past year, FIJI has given out over $370,000 in scholarship money to members in all chapters.
FIJI is hoping to find many ideal candidates at the university.
"Case is a strong institute of higher learning," said Hitt, also indicating that the mission and values of the fraternity align with those of Case. "The potential for success is high and we want to come back and add to that."
