Katelynn McGinley
Staff Reporter
A local sorority with a controversial past is currently going through the reinstatement process at McDaniel.
In the spring of 2005, the Phi Alpha Mu sorority was suspended from campus following their involvement in hazing and violation of the alcohol tolerance policy at McDaniel. At the time of the organization’s suspension, all current members were informed that Phi Alpha Mu must cease and desist and members were further warned that they could not operate as an underground group.
“This group did in fact violate these sanctions,” said Amanda Rose, assistant director of College Activities. Due to these violations, the sisters of Phi Alpha Mu were not permitted to return to campus following their initial bid for reinstatement in the spring of 2008. They did, however, submit information to Beth Gerl, the Dean of Students, requesting that they be allowed to return to campus as a local group, despite the fact that the college has a policy of only accepting groups that exist on a national group.
According to Rose, the President Council convened earlier this semester to decide upon the future of Phi Alpha Mu, and eventually decided to allow them to return to campus ? but only once they had met certain criteria set down by the college. Rose Eney ’09, a member of Phi Alpha Mu, explains that these criteria include the sisters “meeting a minimum GPA requirement of 2.25, selecting alumni and faculty advisors, creating a letter of intent to form a Greek organization, identifying the sorority’s values, mission statement, and creed and governance structure.”
The group must attain “at minimum one million dollars worth of liability coverage,” says Eney, in addition to establishing a member education program that does not include hazing, and selecting a philanthropy group to donate their time and money to.
According to a letter to the Phi Alpha Mu sisters from Gerl, the Phi Alpha Mu sorority may not resume official activity on campus until the fall of 2009, and “if at any point the interest group is found taking new members or functions as a group beyond the established college criteria, the approval to reform will be revoked in its entirety.” This includes any gatherings during Homecoming, Spring Fling, or “any other type of on or off campus social activity.”
The Phi Alpha Mu members are not allowed to display the letters or insignias of the sorority until they have collectively met the specified criteria set in place, and the college has provided them with their official approval.
Rebecca Sanger, says that she believes the reinstatement of Phi Alpha Mu is “an amazing opportunity for both us and the college,” adding that she thinks that this move will allow the sisters to “bring their unique spark back to the Hill.” She cites the sorority’s long history with the school, calling its legacy “unparalleled,” and says that the group is “incredibly proud of becoming a recognized sorority once again,” and that they “look forward to working hand-in-hand with the school to return and carry on this tradition.”