The Chi Psi fraternity is returning to the IFC in 2010 after disbanding indefinitely five years ago, according to the Chi Psi Web page.
The fraternity disbanded in 2004 following the death of Gordie Bailey, a pledge who was killed during the fraternity’s fall rush.
The fraternity will be making some structural changes to the system, including a live-in adult director, said Gardiner Tucker, the assistant dean of students.
“It was over five years ago; it was 2004 when Gordie Bailey died,” Tucker said. “So they’re coming back now after doing a lot of soul searching and making some changes.”
Among those changes will be the presence of a live-in house director, being free of hazing and Boulder alumni agreeing to have a much closer supervision of the chapter, Tucker said.
Marc Stine, the Greek Advocate for CU Boulder, said that all national and local fraternities have rules against hazing.
“It is the policy of the IFC and the state of Colorado,” Stine said. “That’s not to say that there aren’t sometimes people who break the rules.”
Bailey died from alcohol poisoning at the Chi Psi fraternity house in Sept. 2004 during a fraternity ritual. He was blindfolded and told to drink a vast quantity of whiskey and wine. His body was found in the morning having been drawn on, according to the Gordie Bailey Foundation.
Bailey’s family started the foundation in memory of his death and to raise awareness of the dangers of hazing and binge drinking.
Tucker said Bailey’s family has been informed ahead of time of the fraternity’s return to Boulder.
Chi Psi Executive Director Sam Bessey will be holding a luncheon in Denver tomorrow to discuss the “re-colonization” of the fraternity at CU, according to the Chi Psi Web site.
Chi Psi will be returning as a member of the Interfraternity Council and the fraternity system remains unaffiliated with CU.
“We have a good relationship with them now, but we still don’t recognize them,” Tucker said. “So Chi Psi coming to the IFC is totally between Chi Psi and the IFC.”
Stine said that he is not ready to comment further on Chi Psi’s return to CU until the details have been finalized.
“There’s nothing in particular that anybody is ashamed of, we’re happy to have them back, but we aren’t ready to go to market yet. We are prepared in January to have a press conference and answer all questions,” Stine said.
Recruitment for new members of the fraternity will not start until the beginning of January, Stine said.
Contact CU Independent News Editor Sara Kassabian and sara.kassabian@colorado.edu and CU Independent Staff Writer Julie Ryan at Julie.a.ryan@colorado.edu
