The Interfraternity Council approved Chi Phi’s membership at its President’s Council meeting Tuesday night, allowing it to become the 50th active fraternity recognized by the Penn State IFC.

Chi Phi (@ChiPhiPSU) was originally founded at Penn State in 1911 under Alpha Delta Sigma. With the help of Penn State President Edwin Sparks, Chi Phi was chartered in 1924. An award — known as the Sparks Medal — is still presented in his honor to one brother in each Chi Phi chapter with the highest GPA.

Chi Phi remained chartered until 2008 when the fraternity was disbanded as a result of not being able to meet the financial obligations of a new State College Borough mandate that required sprinklers systems in each fraternity house. The alumni started a five year fundraising campaign to renovate the house with the hopes of recolonization.

The original house, located at 360 East Hamilton Ave, is undergoing a $1.4-1.7 million renovation which is expected to be completed before the Fall 2013 semester. Currently, the newly recognized fraternity has 31 founding members.

“I wanted to find a group that had a sense of close friendship, honor, integrity, and a desire to better themselves,” said founding member Thomas Scully. “I found it in Chi Phi.”

After countless hours of research and preparation, the Chi Phi executive board made a presentation to the IFC Tuesday night. The brothers would leave the Forest Resources Building that night as the 50th member of the IFC.

As part of IFC bylaws, Chi Phi will be put on a one year probation. During the probationary period, the fraternity can participate in IFC events but they cannot vote on new business. Additionally, the process for removal by the IFC is much easier during the first year.

“The IFC is a great organization of fraternities whose member’s hold themselves to a high standard,” said founding member and Chi Phi secretary Rishi Mittal. “We see a lot of benefit joining this organization. We look forward to adhering to every IFC policy and procedure set-forth in the constitution and bylaws so we can become a fully recognized member of the IFC.”

Chi Phi will look to create its own identity, especially when its newly renovated house opens next fall. With a rich history at Penn State and especially nationally, the fraternity’s recolonization will provide a fresh yet established face in the IFC.

“Greek life at Penn State year after year has contributed to the support and welfare of students, our university, the community of center county, and beyond,” said Community Service & Philanthropy Chair Cliff Hamilton. “We want to follow that trend and hopefully set some new trends too.”