Two consultants from the national council of Pi Kappa Phi will travel to East Lansing this month to assist with ongoing development of the embattled MSU chapter.
The consultants will work with the group from Jan. 19 to Feb. 1.
After a year of controversy, the fraternity enters the new year with several goals, including eradicating the negative image cast last year.
The fraternity was suspended and its members evicted last spring after members walked into Mason and Abbot halls cafeteria wearing sleeveless pink T-shirts with phrases such as "Fag Hairstylist" and "Capt. Gay Sex" printed on them.
In the fall, the fraternity began a recolonization process, which included recruiting new members. At the end of the fall semester, there were 25 associate members, up from 16 at the beginning of recolonization.
"Last semester, we were struggling to build a base for a fraternity," said Grant Munson, president of the fraternity. "Recruitment was an issue, and it still is an issue."
Recruitment will continue this semester. The fraternity's goal is to reach 35 members, which is one of several guidelines a fraternity must maintain to be recognized by Interfraternity Council.
The Interfraternity Council is the governing board for social fraternities at MSU.
"We're happy with the progress we've made," Munson said. "To have 10 new people before the last month of school is a big accomplishment."
The national consultants will help the group gain new members during their two weeks in town.
"That's when recruitment is really going to be pushed," said Kenny Oubre, coordinator of chapter development for Pi Kappa Phi's national council.
Oubre said the earliest the chapter can reapply for a charter is next fall. Besides having the minimum number of members, the fraternity must also initiate a risk management program and maintain academic standards.
"We opened that chapter with men of class in mind," he said. "We want to see Pi Kappa Phi (at MSU) live up to our standards. They must be men of class."
Munson said he and the other members are hoping to build something everyone in the community can be proud of.
"Looking back, we accomplished way more than anyone thought we could, and we hope to accomplish more," Munson said. "We've got a busy semester ahead of us, and hopefully I can look back and say we've accomplished all our goals."
