When the last academic year ended, the Greek house at 777 South Deakin Ave. was left vacant.
Tony Marcolina | Argonaut
Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Idaho’s newest fraternity, took over the location of former Greek house Alpha Tau Omega. Pi Kappa Phi is also currently the fastest growing fraternity in the nation.
Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Idaho’s newest fraternity, took advantage of the opening left by Alpha Tao Omega by claiming the house.
“We saw the house as an opportunity because it’s not very often that a house just becomes available on campus and we had the means to get it,” said Jacob Hruska, Greek relations and social chairman of Pi Kappa Phi. “So we figured it would help with recruitment, help us grow on campus faster and become the leading fraternity on campus that we want to be.”
Jordyn Wright, assistant Greek advisor, said the ATO house became available after the ATO fraternity saw a sharp decline in membership last year and was unable to keep its house on Greek row. She said the Interfraternity Council voted to allow ATO to recolonize in 2016.
Wright said she thinks this will be an opportunity to start new traditions and trends in the Greek community.
“I think some of the benefits of a new fraternity coming into the Greek community is that it definitely continues to broaden the types of students our Greek community opens up to,” Wright said. “It’s increasing the diversity amongst the Greek community and it’s allowing groups that have different philanthropy’s to raise money for different organizations.”
Pi Kappa Phi is currently the fastest growing fraternity in the nation, and is ranked in the top 10 fraternities with collegiate and alumni membership, Hruska said.
“This school year we really hope to increase our membership and show that we can be leaders on campus,” Hruska said.
Wright said bringing on a new fraternity to campus shows the Greek community is constantly growing and chapters are able to sustain themselves.
Wright said all chapters on campus offer something unique.
“It’s just providing another opportunity for different kinds of men to join our Greek community and that’s all about what fraternities are, is sharing that brotherhood, raising money, doing service and providing leadership opportunities,” Wright said.
Pi Kappa Phi was founded at UI in March, and they hope to be eligible for a charter by the end of 2013, Hruska said.
“This year we plan on having a strong presence in the Greek community by having many socials with other Greek organizations as well as attending as many Greek events as we can,” Hruska said.
Iris Alatorre can be reached at [email protected]