Fraternity comes together after fire

Last month’s fire at the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity house was initially feared to have… Last month’s fire at the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity house was initially feared to have damaged something more valuable than physical possessions. It hurt the chapter’s efforts to become reinstated as an official University organization.

But now, just two weeks later, the fire may actually be a positive catalyst for the fraternity’s efforts.

‘It showed everyone involved just how important having that [official] connection with the University is,’ said the executive director of Pi Lambda Phi, Gary Sanders.

A ‘dispute on some of the zoning and property rights of the chapter’ lost the fraternity its affiliation with Pitt in 1996, said Sanders.

Summer Rothrock, coordinator of the Office of Cross-Cultural and Leadership Development, said she doesn’t have any information regarding the loss of affiliation.

Instead of receiving help or accommodations from the University after the fire, the house’s fraternity brothers chose to rely on support from friends and family in the area.

Of the eight brothers who lived in the house on 225 N. Dithridge St., four are sharing a Bloomfield apartment rented by a fraternity alumnus, said chapter president Thomas Cole.

Still, the Greek community reached out to Cole, because ‘it’s a tragedy whether they’re recognized by Pitt or not,’ said Rothrock. ‘They’re still Pitt students.’

The incident has not harmed the organization’s unity so far, said Cole.

Sanders agreed.’

‘[The brothers’] spirits seemed to be pretty good,’ he said. During his visit with the brothers, Sanders said it appeared that the incident has not really affected their academic performance.

‘We were worried about the brotherhood at first,’ said Cole.

Investigators did not give specific details as to the cause of the fire, which started in John Connors’ bedroom, but said it was accidental and related to an electrical malfunction.

Sanders said although the fire was contained to mostly the second and third floors of the house, early assessments estimated the damage to cost at least $40 thousand.

The fraternity has been at the Dithridge Street house since 1922, and the last major renovation was in 1948, said Sanders.

‘I think we’re on a four- to five-month time frame [to get back in the house] … but obviously some things need to be brought up to [par],’ said Cole.

Despite not being affiliated directly with the University, he said, the chapter functions in much the same way as other recognized Greek organizations.

But since he became president, Cole said there is a ‘renewed urgency behind re-recognition.’

Because of its relative separation from Pitt’s Greek community, the chapter experiences more independence but also less social recognition, said Cole.

While the chapter unofficially collaborates with other Greek organizations for private mixers and more open parties, the last pledge class was considered low, bringing in about seven brothers, said Cole.

‘[Recognition] would just reflect better on us and Pitt,’ said Cole. ‘The benefits of being separated don’t outweigh the costs.’

The chapter’s recruitment currently relies on events like bowling, hookah and house parties, but affiliation with the University would allow the organization to take advantage of the larger Greek networking activities on campus.

‘We’ve done fairly, but we’re absolutely looking forward to [reinstatement]. The recognition of the University would be extremely helpful,’ said Sanders.

Sanders and chapter representatives have been working closely with Rothrock and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life since early March to form an action plan for reinstatement.

‘The [Interfraternity Conference] as an umbrella organization is completely, 100 percent valuable,’ said Rothrock.

In order to take advantage of IFC resources, though, the first step is to ‘establish a working relationship,’ said Rothrock.

In addition to the general requirements for any organization seeking recognition, Rothrock will require that Pi Lambda Phi representatives meet with her on a biweekly basis.

Because the fraternity seeks reinstatement instead of first-time recognition, members must also provide a detailed explanation as to why all past violations ‘are no longer a part of the chapter’s culture,’ said Rothrock.

The process is not new to the fraternity as a whole. Other chapters have recently regained recognition from their respective universities, and others have had to start over, said Sanders.

While one chapter was forced to close completely, the fraternity’s chapter at Temple University is expected to colonize in the coming fall.

But at Pitt, the chapter has focused on aligning its vision with that of the Greek community, said Sanders.

‘There are major benefits [to reinstatement],’ said Sanders. ‘We are really looking forward to reconnecting with the University and rejoining the Greek community.’