More than a week after the closing of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s MSU chapter, greek leaders have say some of the ousted members have a chance of rejoining in the fall.

Stephen Whitby, the North Carolina-based fraternity’s assistant executive director, said Friday that the former members of the MSU branch will be able to appeal the national council’s decision to expel them in early August.

Even if their appeal is unsuccessful, Whitby said they will be allowed to reapply for membership in November.

The MSU fraternity members were evicted May 1 after some of its pledges wore pink, sleeveless T-shirts to the Mason and Abbot halls cafeterias on April 1 and April 2 that had phrases such as “Capt. Gay Sex” and “Fag Hairstylist” written on the back.

Murat Bashelvaci, the MSU chapter’s former president, said he is thinking about appealing the national council’s decision.

If the appeal fails, Bashelvaci plans to reapply for membership in November even though he plans to graduate in December.

“I’ll always be a part of this organization,” he said. “When I’m an alumni, I’ll help them out.”

A temporary suspension was issued April 10 by the national organization until the incident could be investigated, and an MSU greek system panel issued other punishments, including its own suspension of the fraternity.

Witnesses have said Pi Kappa Phi members approached Mason and Abbot halls residents after suspensions were handed down and engaged in an animated discussion in which fraternity members referred to the halls as the “gay house” and inquired if residents outside were lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender students.

The fraternity’s house at 131 Bogue St. is located across the street from the residence halls.

Lansing television station WLNS also reported that the fraternity held a party at the house the day after suspensions were handed down. The suspensions prohibited members from hosting social activities on their property.

The national council expects to recolonize the MSU chapter with new members in November.

Although members who have recently been removed will not be a part of the original recolonization, former Pi Kappa Phi members will eventually be able to reapply as long as they are not facing disciplinary action, Whitby said. At present, all of the men are eligible to reapply.

Whitby said the fraternity’s national staff will speak with MSU faculty, administrators, advisers and people from other greek organizations. The recruitment process also might include setting up information tables on campus and searching other student organizations for new members, he said.

“We will come onto campus and select men that uphold our standards,” Whitby said.

Tamar Jourian, external vice chairperson for the Alliance of Lesbian-Bi-Gay-Transgendered and Straight Ally Students, said she is worried that fraternity members who were involved in the April incidents would be let back in.

“My concern would be who they would be allowing back in,” she said. “Those involved in the incident should definitely not be let back in.”

Kurt Ludke can be reached at ludkekur@msu.edu