AMHERST — A recent collection of 758 pounds of nonperishable food for the Amherst Survival Center by members of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at the University of Massachusetts is part of the ongoing work being done to bring the chapter back to campus as a full-fledged entity.

“We’re trying to rebrand and turn around the image to something better,” says Anthony Lam, the public relations chairman for Pi Kappa Alpha, or PIKE, a provisional chapter at UMass.

Lam explained in a recent interview that the fraternity members’ four-hour appeal to customers entering the Stop & Shop supermarket in Hadley prior to the Thanksgiving break, along with plans for other community initiatives, is an effort to restore confidence in the fraternity.

Six years ago, the UMass Theta Mu chapter, which had been established on campus in April 1977, was suspended under the student code of conduct over hazing allegations. At the time, the chapter, charged by the Northwestern district attorney’s office as a corporate entity, faced four grand jury indictments, which also led to an administrative suspension by its parent organization, the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity in Memphis, Tennessee.

The alleged hazing in fall 2017 involved fraternity members procuring alcohol for a minor and the hospitalization of a UMass student for alcohol poisoning. The national organization called the events “activities inconsistent with the fraternity’s standards and university policies,” and the suspension later cost the Pi Kappa Alpha its lettered house at 374 North Pleasant St.

In reestablishing a chapter in Amherst, Lam said the national organization wants members who are driven and motivated. “Every brother I’ve met here fits that description,” Lam said.

Already, Pi Kappa Alpha has 130 members, recruited mostly through word of mouth, as well as an Instagram campaign. It is is now one of the largest of the 43 sororities and fraternities on campus, whose members are required to do philanthropic work and community service.

UMass spokeswoman Melinda Rose confirmed in an email that Pi Kappa Alpha is currently active on campus, as of the fall, and has been actively recruiting members.

The university maintains a website of those fraternities and sororities that are no longer recognized. Currently, those are Pi Delta Psi, which is suspended indefinitely, and Alpha Sigma Phi, which is on a four-year suspension. Alpha Epsilon Pi, a former chapter eligible to return, is expected to resume its operations in the spring.

Part of the restoration of the Pi Kappa Alpha organization came from a “Meet the PIKES”night where Jeff Taylor, a 1979 UMass graduate and founder and former CEO of Monster.com, talked to prospective members about the connections made through the fraternities and how it shaped his career

Lam said the fraternity is just getting active again in and around Amherst, reaching out to businesses and schools, where members hope they might be able to participate in reading to younger students. “We hope to work with them to better them one day at a time,” Lam said.

The fraternity also had a meeting with Amherst Police and Amherst Fire, determining if they could become a philanthropy in which they would raise money to support operations.

While getting a home where the fraternity could organize events and host fundraisers, rather than depending on UMass venues, is critical, Lam said the official recognition is the priority for now.

“We’re hoping to become the fastest chapter to do that,” Lam said.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.