Pi Kappa Phi, the fraternity which will attempt to start a University chapter after Interfraternity Council rush, will have a lot of work to do in order to prepare for a spring rush. Luckily, the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at neighboring Drexel University has offered to help the new chapter at the University get on its feet. And this help comes from a fraternity that is in need of some help itself. Last February, the Drexel chapter's house was severely damaged by a fire. All the residents had to move out of the house, located at 3405 Powelton Avenue. Frank Gargione, treasurer of Drexel's chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, said most of the brothers have moved to apartments next door. "We still continue on with the idea of brotherhood even though we don't have a house," Gargione said. Now, although the brothers of Drexel's chapter have yet to finish rebuilding their own house, they are willing to help the new chapter here start up. Gargione said his chapter would be very involved in helping the new University chapter coordinate a freshman spring rush. Joel Borellis, Pi Kappa Phi's national director of expansion, will be coming to the University in early November to spread information about the fraternity and to try to find students interested in starting the chapter here. And the chapter at Drexel is ready to assist Borellis, if needed. "Whatever he needs us for we'll be helping him out," said Gargione. Gargione said he is excited to have a new chapter of Pi Kappa Phi establishing right next door to Drexel. He said he expects various social and sporting events involving the two chapters will be coordinated. Also, more money can be raised for PUSH, Pi Kappa Phi's national charitable organization which benefits the handicapped, Gargione said. Both chapters could be involved with charitable events for PUSH in the West Philadelphia area. With the addition of the University chapter, Pi Kappa Phi will now have an even stronger presence in Philadelphia, Gargione said. The fraternity also has chapters at Big 5 schools La Salle, St. Joseph's and Villanova universities. But, despite all the excitement about welcoming a new chapter, the Drexel chapter is still trying to get over the fire that devastated their house. Gargione said brothers will continue to live next door to the house while the house is being rebuilt. The house should be reconstructed by July 15 of next year, he added.
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