July 28, 1984. An emergency council meeting was called where president John Sandwell was appointed to replace Hoskin as interim acting executive officer. An audit confirmed the council's worst fears: Phi Sigma Epsilon's only asset was its equity in its national headquarters building. One month later, at a belated and hastily called 30th Conclave, James Whitfield was again elected to serve as president. The following day, immediate past president Sandwell resigned as executive officer. The Council named Whitfield acting executive officer without compensation. Leaders also considered all aspects of revitalization and recessed the conclave until the summer of 1985. The fall ushered in a flurry of activity, with plans for a follow-up Council meeting and publication of a series of chapter bulletins to teach the basics of fraternity management. Merger A few months after the fall 1984 council meeting, Whitfield attended a NIC meeting on Dec. 1, 1984. There, he met Phi Sigma Kappa's grand president, Anthony Fusaro. They were seated next to each other due to the alphabetized seating of all the fraternities. While talking to Fusaro, Whitfield learned that two Phi Sigma Epsilon chapters—the Phi Epsilon chapter at Rider College and the Epsilon Tau chapter at Ball State University—had contacted Phi Sigma Kappa during the 1983-84 year, seeking assistance from Phi Sigma Kappa because of "the lack of services from Phi Sigma Epsilon". Phi Sigma Kappa executive director Brett Champion explained to these chapters that NIC rules prohibited this, and then Phi Sigma Epsilon president Sandwell was contacted. However, in the transition from Sandwell to Whitfield, this information had not been shared. A friendship developed, in this meeting of peers. The word "merger" was mentioned, and the two agreed to talk further, expanding the conversation to a half dozen or more fraternal leaders from both groups. These men realized the similarities between the fraternities and set a framework to continue the discussion. A favorable response by both organizations' councils led to the preparation of merger documents. Phi Sigma Epsilon sent a letter to its chapters and alumni clubs, with 26 of 29 respondents declaring in the affirmative, two negative votes, both from alumni clubs, and one un-indicated. Phi Sigma Epsilon was scheduled to resume its conclave on . The evening prior, the council met to review general fraternity operations, but final decisions on all items were deferred until action on the merger vote. There was a significant division