Fraternity Returns to Drexel Campus After Three Years

Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity is re-establishing its chapter at Drexel University this semester. The group, commonly known as PIKE, left the campus in September 2023 after a removal process initiated by university officials. Now, expansion consultants are actively recruiting new members to rebuild the organization from the ground up.

The timeline of PIKE's departure began with a university walk-through that identified several violations. According to Justin Buck, the executive vice president of the national fraternity, members had broken policy regarding alcohol in the facility. They also damaged fire safety signs and left litter behind. When these issues were not fixed within two weeks, a hearing board voted to remove the fraternity from its house. The group surrendered its charter shortly after, and national leadership accepted that surrender in March 2024.

Since then, the national organization has maintained communication with Drexel administration. Buck stated that PIKE expressed a desire to return during the interim period. The university eventually approved the refounding. Lindsay Wolf, the associate director of fraternity and sorority life, confirmed that national leaders met with the Interfraternity Council to set goals for the return. These goals include cultivating high moral standards. Wolf noted that no members from the closed chapter will join the new undergraduate group in a membership or advisory role.

Jason Schutz, an expansion consultant, sent emails to various student organizations to identify potential recruits. He described the target demographic as top-caliber men committed to academic achievement and campus leadership. The recruitment process involves meeting with individuals and groups across the campus to select candidates.

Student reaction to the return is mixed. Some students express doubt about the university's decision. Rachel Gontarski, a fourth-year biomedical engineering major, called the refounding an egregious error by the administration. Gontarski was a freshman when PIKE was first removed. She argued that the administration has a duty to protect students and that Drexel has failed in that duty by allowing the return.

Others point to the national reputation of the fraternity. Elizabeth Uyehara, a sophomore environmental engineering major and member of Delta Gamma, raised concerns about the group's history. She noted that PIKE has a nationwide reputation for spiking women's drinks. Uyehara said that allowing a chapter with that reputation to form, especially after recent events at Cornell University, reflects poorly on the school. A lawsuit against Cornell and its Chi Phi fraternity alleged the gang rape and drugging of a student, which has increased scrutiny on fraternities nationally.

Samuel Lax, a third-year electrical engineering major and member of Alpha Chi Rho, questioned the university's confidence in the new group. He asked how anyone knows the fraternity will not repeat the actions that led to its removal. Alpha Chi Rho currently occupies the house at 210 N. 34th where PIKE previously lived.

The national leadership emphasizes that the new chapter will adhere to all university and fraternity policies. Buck said the goal is to build a group of leaders that resembles the award-winning chapter PIKE was for most of its history. From 2001 to 2017, the Drexel chapter received the Chapter of the Year Award a record 14 times.