Transcript Staff Writer

In its first year back on the University of Oklahoma campus after the alcohol-related death of pledge Blake Hammontree, Sigma Chi will recruit about 50 new members.

Hammontree's alcohol-poisoning death in September 2004 at a Sigma Chi function led to the chapter's suspension. Since then, the fraternity has completed all requirements set forth by OU President David Boren, including keeping its house dry and creating an alumni advisory board, said Michael McMichael, Sigma Chi rush chairman.

"We've worked really hard for this moment," he said of the chapter's return to campus.

The International Sigma Chi organization also has instituted an alcohol education program since Hammontree's death so nothing like that happens again, said McMichael, one of the 14 current members who were in Hammontree's pledge class.

"We're definitely not the reputation that precedes us," he said.

The chapter was fully reinstated for the start of summer recruitment, and the response has been primarily positive, he said.

About 40 men signed preliminary commitments to OU's Beta Kappa chapter of Sigma Chi, and the chapter plans to accept about 50 total new members when bids become official at tonight's official Bid Day, he said.

Most returning fraternities have about 20-25 new pledges in their first year returning to campus, McMichael said.

The chapter has put a lot of effort into recruiting a quality pledge class because most of the 27 members from before the suspension are seniors now, he said.

"It's these guys who are going to be taking over," he said. "... These guys are absolutely vital."

In addition to Sigma Chi, Triangle fraternity was added to the Interfraternity Council roster this year, bringing the number of IFC fraternities up to 19.

Triangle left IFC in 2005 because they refused to abide by the new alcohol-free fraternity policy instituted at that time.

The fraternity decided to submit to the dry house policy and re-joined IFC three days before fall recruitment began, said John Sokatch, IFC vice president of recruitment.

Fraternity Bid Day at 7 p.m. today will wrap up OU's fraternity recruitment week with nearly 150 more men participating than last year.