Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, also known as “Fiji,” announced it would begin recruitment of new members at the end of January after a more than 10-year absence from the UW-Madison campus.

Fraternity headquarters staff will begin recruitment of Founding Fathers in Madison from Jan. 30 to March 13, according to Fiji Field Secretary Justin Burns. The fraternity will begin pledge class recruitment during the traditional rush period in the fall.

Burns said the fraternity, which originally began in Madison in 1893, left campus in 1995 following several years of sub-par performance.

“We had fallen into a period of mediocrity. We are an organization that really prides itself on excellence,” Burns said. “It was time to take a few steps back and re-energize.”

According to a May 1987 Daily Cardinal report, the fraternity suffered harsh criticism following an incident in which the house was accused of using a racist caricature to advertise for an island-themed party.

As a result of the advertisement, the fraternity was suspended from campus activity for a five-month period, according to the report.

Former Interfraternity Council president Drew Willert said although Fiji’s history on the Madison campus cannot be ignored, he does not anticipate the new members will have any of the problems associated with the fraternity in the late 1980’s and has high expectations for the new chapter.

“It’s always great to add more chapters to our community as long as it is a chapter that supports what our community stands for and will help us promote the good image that we’re trying to get out there,” Willert said.

Burns said Phi Gamma Delta hopes to create a positive image among the student body and build relationships with the university, professors and sorority members in addition to the men on campus.

“It’ll be a time for the campus to celebrate us finally being back,” he said.

According to Burns, once re-established, Fiji plans on renovating and eventually reoccupying their former house at 16 Langdon St., which is currently occupied by the fraternity Sigma Pi.

“They hold all legal control over the house,” Joe Braga, member of Sigma Pi said. “Whether they claim the house immediately is up to them.”

Phi Gamma Delta will be seeking members of all class years, according to Burns, and will provide several information meetings for any men that are interested.

“The Founding Father experience is an opportunity for students that may not have explored Greek life before to research a brand new opportunity and build a fraternity that they want to be a part of,” Burns said.