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ATO returns, minus the alcohol

By SARA PAUFF
Published , September 13, 2004, 06:00:01 AM EDT

The University of Georgia's Alpha Tau Omega Chapter received its recharter at a banquet at the Athens Country Club on Saturday. After dining, National Chief Executive Officer Wynn R. Smiley told the group, which was comprised of National ATO officers, parents, pledges and friends, "the enthusiasm in this room is what's gotten you here today." Before presenting the group with their charter and recharter, Smiley asked the new ATO brothers, "How are you going to impact this community ... how are you going to make the University different?"(KENDRICK BRINSON - The Red & Black)

Members of Alpha Tau Omega will be celebrating their initiation into the fraternity this week, but don't expect any invitations to keg parties -- the new ATO is substance-free.

The fraternity stated in a news release it would be classified as non-hazing as well as substance-free.

The original University chapter of ATO was disbanded in April 2000 after a member was killed in a hazing prank. Ben Grantham, a freshman from St. Simons, was killed when the vehicle he was riding in hit a tree. He was handcuffed and blindfolded at the time of the wreck.

Bryant Whelan, public relations chair for the fraternity, said the national organization requires all new chapters to be substance-free.

"It's kind of going around nationally with a lot of fraternities," said Whelan, a senior from Norcross.

Chip Barber, president of the the new University ATO chapter said he was glad to be back on campus.

"I'm very excited about it," said Barber, a senior from Dunwoody. "It's been quite a journey, a lot of work. It's really paid off."

Members were initiated into the fraternity Saturday in a private ceremony at the Catholic Center.

"We're really excited. Everybody's been really positive towards us," Whelan said. "There is no stigma from the past. No one is holding us responsible for what we didn't do."

Barber said any members of the disbanded ATO would now be considered alumni, not active members.

Claudia Shamp, associate dean of Greek life, said many Greeks on campus are already substance-free.

"All the sororities have alcohol-free facilities. Several fraternities are alcohol-free or do not have social events with alcohol," she said.

Shamp said the Greek community has always had a no hazing policy.

"Substance-free is a little more recent," she said.

Barber said he thought many fraternity chapters on campus were becoming substance-free because it was safer and reduced insurance and liability.

Whelan said ATO is happy to be substance-free.

"It shows we're there for more reasons than just to party," he said.

The fraternity is temporarily meeting in a house at 1670 Prince Ave.