When the traditional greek rush period ends in late February, recruiting for a resurrected chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity will begin. After months of discussion with Sig Ep representatives, other administrators and the Interfraternity Council, Vice President for Student Affairs Janet Dickerson has given Sig Ep the go-ahead to rebuild its Duke chapter.
Dickerson said her decision to recognize Sig Ep was grounded in the fraternity's history at the University, where it existed from 1967 until 1993.
"They had a presence at Duke before," Dickerson said. "When they lost their space and charter, we held on to the possibility that they might be able to return if they reformed, and did not return to their old ways."
Dickerson said administrative responses to the decision to allow Sig Ep to return "have ranged from open-minded to lukewarm."
Sig Ep's return to the University comes six years after the original chapter lost its housing charter, along with University recognition. In late 1993, the Undergraduate Judicial Board found the fraternity guilty of several charges of disorderly conduct and other infractions. The new chapter will not have housing on campus, but it will be a member of IFC.
Because of Sig Ep's new "balanced man" project, Ryan Brennan, the national fraternity's director of new chapter development, said he does not expect the University's chapter to resemble its rowdy ancestors. The fraternity's new look emphasizes academics, leadership, community service and athletics, and eliminates the pledge process altogether.
Recruitment will not begin until Feb. 22, Brennan said, after regular fraternity rush ends; he noted that the national organization will head the membership drive.
IFC President Stephen Broderick, a Trinity senior, said the balanced man project will complement the University's existing greek system.
"While I do not foresee other Duke fraternities moving in this direction in the near future, this is an opportunity to diversify our system a little and provide more options to interested men during our membership recruitment," he said.
Although Sig Ep will not have residential recognition, they will have access to programming space.
Even without housing, national officials remain optimistic about the fraternity's return. "It is optimal to start without a facility. It forces you to focus on the organization," Brennan said. "Down the road, if opportunities for housing become available, we'll pursue them."
Dickerson was skeptical as to whether Sig Ep would draw a base of students during recruitment.
"It will be interesting to see if they attract membership," she said, "I'm not sure if they will because there is not a local group of students [who are already here]."
But Brennan said he does not anticipate problems attracting students, based on the national fraternity's experience at other schools. "It usually clicks with a lot of people," he said.
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