Phi Delta Alpha Re-Recognized

By Thomas Monahan | Friday, June 11, 2004

In the winter of 2003, nineteen upstanding gentlemen began rebuilding a fraternity that had been dead since winter 2000. Now in the spring of 2004, after a rigorous review process, endless interviews, two Rush classes, and several reams of paper-work, the Phi Delta Alpha 'Colonists' have achieved their ultimate goal: to regain recognition and become fully accepted into the Dartmouth fold, with all of the rights and privileges of every other house on campus.

On Tuesday, May 18th, Dean Martin Redman dramatically declared Phi Delt's rerecognition in an impromptu announcement at the Order of Omega reception, an annual achievement awards ceremony for the Greek system. Campus leaders, as well as a large contingent of Phi Delts, attended the event which was made more satisfying by the presence of many members of the College administration, including President James Wright and Dean of the College James Larimore.

Dean Redman was quite magnanimous in his praise and support of Phi Delt. He made the announcement prior to presenting George Faux '84, Phi Delt's Corporation President, the Omega Award for Advisor of the Year. The house also cleaned up in other areas as well: Emerging Leader of the Year (David Grey '05, Inter-Fraternity Council President), New Member of the Year (Austin Lord '06), and Most Accountable house (Phi Delta Alpha).

Needless to say, the brotherhood is thrilled. Full recognition puts them on an even playing field with the rest of the Greek System, and restores some of the privileges that were lost with Phi Delt's suspension. Phi Delta Alpha was temporarily derecognized by Dean Redman in March 2000 for a period extending through the fall of 2002, the action stemming from a series of misconduct incidents over several months.

As a group they have worked tirelessly to get the organization to where it is now, far sooner than anyone dreamed possible. Both classes, the 2005s and 2006s, have contributed significantly to this outcome. In only eighteen months, Phi Delta Alpha forged a robust brotherhood fifty-one members strong (comprising only two classes) and stands as one of the strongest houses on campus.

The Phi Delt physical-plant will be completely overhauled during the next year, as plans are finalized for a major renovation and addition. Starting in the late summer, 5 Webster Avenue will add a second means of egress off of the back of the house; move the kitchen to new space on the first floor; build handicapped-accessible bathrooms on the first floor and in the basement; refurbish the upstairs bathrooms; renovate the current kitchen space into additional living quarters; adding a wheelchair ramp up the side of the house; and replace all of the carpets and drapes on the first floor. This initiative will address the remaining safety and Americans with Disabilities Act issues outlined in the Fuller Audit, and put the house nearly ten years ahead of schedule for the required refurbishments. It is an exciting project that will reshape and refinish the house and make it a model residence at Dartmouth College.

With the recent changes in the College Rush policy, Phi Delta Alpha poises to build a strong class of 2007 this fall. The Rig, in little more than a year and half, became a revitalizing force in the Greek community at Dartmouth. Brothers can be proud of resurrecting a hallowed institution when no one thought it could be done.

Phi Delta Alpha Re-Recognized

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