The fraternity was left in shambles – like the aftermath of a group of boys unwilling to leave their clubhouse. Holes were punched in walls, a toilet was destroyed, and $700 worth of plaques and paintings were stolen according to police reports. Sigma Nu lost its national charter in September 2005 after an investigation into hazing reports. Members were given 30 days to vacate.
The second-story porch overlooking Emery Road was crowded with weathered couches- the black wooden letters above read ΣN. Now the balcony is covered in ivy; the sign reads AΓΔ- changes made when Alpha Gamma Delta leased the house from Sigma Nu. The sorority signed a one-year lease, according to Debbie Pitts, chapter advisor for Alpha Gamma Delta.
“We didn’t think they would come back as soon as they have,” said Pitts, “We were hoping to have the house for at least two years. But we wish the best to Sigma Nu.”
Pitts’ assumptions are understandable, considering most fraternities must wait up to four years before they can begin recolonization.
“Usually they wait long enough to get rid of the seed that caused the original problem,” said Don Raidt, a Sigma Nu alumnus who is leading the recolonization efforts.
It is especially understandable to assume that a Sigma Nu would be particularly cautious about revoking a house that closed because of hazing. In a recent edition of Sigma Nu Inc.’s magazine, The Delta, the fraternity said it would lead greek efforts to “militate against hazing.” The publication also announced Sigma Nu as the “premier sponsor of the National Hazing Prevention Week and the National Hazing Symposium.” But Sigma Nu will be returning to KU next semester – less than two years after its charter was revoked.
Even though students will be living in the Sigma Nu house, the Sigma Nu national headquarters will not immediately recognize the house as an official chapter. At first the house will only been known as a Sigma Nu “colony.”
“The alumni have officially begun recolonizaion,” said Brad Beacham, executive director of Sigma Nu, “They are working to meet basic operational standards so that they may become an official entity. I am confident in the alumni. It is one of the fraternity’s most outstanding chapters.”
The colony will work for University recognition once it regain its charter, said Ian Lang, Interfraternity Council president.
The recolonization is largely thanks to the assistance of Don Raidt. Raidt has been a professor for 42 years, mostly teaching at the University of California, Irvine. On October 28, shortly after Sigma Nu lost its charter, Raidt came to Lawrence to meet with other alumni about rebuilding the chapter.
“We all were shocked,” Raidt said, “It seemed impossible that this should happen.”
Raidt was chosen by other alums to lead the recolonization. He left California and began teaching at KU so that he could focus on the endeavor. But Raidt isn’t the only one dedicated to reestablishing Sigma Nu’s presence on campus. He assembled a 12-man transition team and has the assistance and support of many alumni.
KU Vice Provost of Research and Sigma Nu alum Jim Roberts said, “I really think Don Raidt is doing a great job on recolonizing Sigma Nu, but I think we’re going to have to look at different models for fraternities and sororities as we look to the future in terms of how they interact with the University.”
This is one of Raidt’s main concerns. He hopes to build a much stronger relationship with the University than in past years. And he intends to do this by bringing the University to Sigma Nu.
According to Raidt, they are working on a new audio/visual program that will allow Sigma Nu to have the most technologically equipped house on campus. Along with benefiting members and connecting with alums, this will help facilitate a KU class. The fraternity plans to allow a class to meet in one of the rooms of the house. Although nothing has been determined, Raidt says the class will be small and scheduled around fraternity activities.
Alumni intend to stay active even after students move back into the house. They will be monitoring the reestablishment and tutoring members. But returning Sigma Nus aren’t concerned with their involvement or supervision.
“They know that part of their experience was partying, and they want us to have that experience too,” said John LeRoy, a former pledge who was invited back.
The returning members of the 2005 pledge class had their GPAs and involvement histories considered before being invited back, Raidt said. However, about seven of the original group intend to return. Many lost interest or joined other fraternities, LeRoy said.
The pledges have been meeting monthly with alumni and recruiting high school seniors to live in the house. Raidt estimates that about 50 men will move into the house in May.
Active members who lived in the house when the fraternity closed have not been invited back. Many of them are apprehensive about the chapter’s future but still support the recolonization.
“I’m glad Sigma Nu will be back on campus,” said Rob Rossiter, Sigma Nu junior, “I’m just upset it’s not going to be anywhere near what the old Sigma Nu was like.”
Most Sigma Nu juniors knew little about the process.
“We haven’t been involved at all,” said Miller Davis, Sigma Nu junior, “But everyone understands why we’re not.”
Raidt understands. He’s made sure that members of the fraternity and corporation board that were involved in the 2005 incident have no direct influence on the recolonization.
“This way, we will avoid the virus that caused the problem in the first place,” Raidt said.
The men will move into the Sigma Nu colony around Aug. 7.