So now we let the media decide how to run our fraternity?

I dissagree with LXAAlum...

While the fate of the chapter might result in its closure...I don't think it would be closed on the basis of "they made headlines." I trust the judgment of our brothers in the "deciding positions" better than to make a call about our bond based off of media attention. Again, I will say what I posted earlier about what I'm sure will ring true:

"If the decision comes down to our Office of Administration or a Status of Chapters Committee during this summer’s General Assembly…then I’m sure our brothers will do what’s in the best interest of the experience shared by the members of this fraternity."


Again, that might mean the chapter gets shut down, or it might bean one member goes on social probation...I don't know the particulars. But, the goal still remains to ensure the success of the Lambda Chi Alpha organization and the ideals we uphold. I have NO DOUBT that HQ, the GHZ, or whatever entity will move forward with that in mind. No doubt at all.

Of course, the negative light that is cast upon our chapter there, and upon our international organization, might open the doors to more consideration about how we are percieved. If we are known on that campus as 50 drug-dealers operating out of a meth-lab (even if it's not 100% true)....then, that's going to affect recruitment, philanthropy, social stigma, and the relationship with the university. Then, the decision to close the chapter and wait for a more inviting environment to operate our Zeta there, might be more appropriate. Again, we aren't in the position of "deciding this case", so we can't say. If you do want to have that official voice, go to General Assembly and try to gain the alumni speaking opportunities. Active members, maybe you'll play a part in the decision...so I''d encourage you to brush up on your Constitution knowledge. Myself...I'm saving up $$$ for the Centennial!

Yours in Z A X ,

"(even if it's not 100% true)...."

See, that is what concerns me the most. Now we start to ignore facts, the truth behind the situation and we only become concerned about good pr and publicity.

Put yourself in your brothers shoes. Imagine you were one of them, and you may have only did some pot. Now all of a sudden, because of what it says in the NEWSPAPER, you are getting kicked out.

I say we grow some balls and start sticking up for our fellow brothers, regardless of how they are portrayed in the MEDIA or NEWSPAPAER.

If they did something wrong, let them get punished for what they DID, NOT what was REPORTED that they did.

Now here, I have to agree with GammaZeta. Reports I have read, the chapter was doing really very well, involved and growing.

There may be a stain on the chapter by a few so why penalize all of the Brothers who were not involved.

As to letting the officers at IHQ make the decision, I am sure they will hopefully what is the best for everyone.

For the thoughts and comments on this site not meaning much, I disagree. It is seen by members at IHQ and GHZ who check it. They may take what is said to heart, but all of the facts must come out for them to make the final decission.

In a nut shell, I do not want to see the current Brothers screwed as it were, nor any possible and future Brothers not have a chance to be a LXA.

Grits, while I hope I am wrong, past experiences with chapters in trouble have shown me that IHQ sometimes believes it is better to shut the entire chapter down and restart it after conditions change, even if the allegations against said chapter are either dismissed or the group found not guilty.

I don't think that it's a lack of leadership on IHQ's part, by the way. I think they believe they act in the best interests of the entire fraternity by taking such actions, unpopular though they may be, and, they haven't always had a good track record either, though I think things are going in the right way in Indianapolis now.

I've never agreed with certain decisions, though, I do understand their rationale behind decisions that affected brothers and chapters near and dear to my heart. It doesn't make it any less painful for all involved.

When it comes down to costs/benefits, that's where the decision about SDSU will be made - is it worth the potential PR black eye to simply put the chapter on probation, now that the entire campus's and greek system's reputation has been called into question, or, would it be more beneficial to close now, and recolonize again after HQ is assured that the campus is truly "favorable" to our ideals?

Like you stated, it's all about the stigma/perception this incident will leave with the campus after the press finally decides to move on to another "story of the week."

Then again, most, if not all the press about the SDSU situation focuses on another fraternity altogether, so that may be in our chapter's benefit.

Time will tell!

SDSU Pree Update
 

Giving power to the man, I pass along a couple of updates I've seen online. First, here's this.

Remember how originally, six fraternities were on interim suspension for all this negative activity? Well, today, three of those fraternities (not including Lambda Chi Alpha) have been taken off suspension. The reasons listed were because the actions were conducted by inactive members or those living outside the chapter houses. If I'm understanding this report correctly, and I won't say with certainty that I am, Lambda Chi Alpha has thur far been kept on the "interim suspension" list, because involved members must have been active in-housers. No more specifics provided.

Secondly, there's this: the NIC (North-American Interfraternity Council)'s position statement of the going-ons out west. I commend THEM for taking the position of ensuring the best fraternal experience of all Greek members, by reminding us all of the detracting relationship this kind of activity has on our core values.

As far as I'm concerned it's too early to commend anyone for anything. After the big headlines were splashed all over TV, the newspapers, and the Internet, we still don't know who supposedly was in possession of what. Funny how they're so closed-mouthed now on the specifics.

Out of 96 people arrested, only 75 were students. According to reports, 4.5 lbs of cocaine and 50lbs of marijuana were confiscated. But with 21 non-students arrested on the same night we don't know how much was even on campus. Why all of a sudden is this a big secret?

Time will tell? Too late - the headlines already told. Mission accomplished.

www.sdsu.edu/information

The latest update.

Reported that the LXA Chapter has been suspended and can return in 4 years.

To sad, but the price has to be paid by all, not just the ones involved.

Here's a condensed version of what I read today:

"Two fraternities, Lambda Chi Alpha and Delta Sigma Phi, were expelled yesterday for alcohol and hazing violations, respectively. Meanwhile, Phi Kappa Psi and Theta Chi are on interim suspension after the drug investigation. Lambda Chi Alpha was expelled for violating the terms of its interim suspension by having alcohol at a social function when a fraternity member living in an apartment on Fraternity Row had an unauthorized party."

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/m...1m23frats.html

I am saddened even more if a private apartment lived in by a member was the major reason, I find this a bit over the top for suppension and for four years to boot.

There is less and lesss tolerence any more. When will be quit being social organizarions?

From Channel 10/San Diego...

"The revocation of official school-recognized status for Delta Sigma Phi and Lambda Chi Alpha are unrelated to this month's large-scale campus narcotics crackdown, which resulted in the arrests of scores of students, SDSU spokeswoman Lorena Nava said."

Gee, isn't that making us all feel better????????

SDSU had other problems
 

There had been an alcohol incident a couple of months ago that resulted in someone falling from a balcony. SDSU was subject to University discipline as a result of that risk management violation and they could well have been shut down as a result of that prior event. When the drug issue is added to the mix the closure is understandable.

Interesting news re SDSU drug raids
 

From the Illinois State paper . . .

Although the DEA reported 96 arrests in their press conference the day of the raids at SDSU, May 6, that figure included all drug-related arrests/citations of students for the entire year, including students charged with possession of marijuana in the residence halls. Approximately 37 students (reports from different sources vary slightly) were arrested as part of the actual University Police/DEA operation (18 on the day of the raids), 14 of whom were current or former members of fraternities. Six fraternities who had at least one member with a felony arrest (primarily drug sales) were placed on interim suspension. An interim suspension is not a finding of responsibility; it is a temporary denial of campus privileges while an investigation is in progress. Some of the interim suspensions were lifted because of a lack of evidence of organizational complicity; two chapters, Phi Kappa Psi and Theta Chi, remain on interim suspension pending the outcome of campus judicial investigations and hearings.

So am I correct in my understanding that the Lambda Chi chapter is more or less "unscathed" by the incident?

Going "unscathed" would be relative in this case.

Unscathed legally, maybe.

Unscathed in the public eye and in reputation, no way.

The chapter at SDSU is closed. There had been a prior risk management issue that had resulted in a university investigation that had been pending when the drug bust took place. We may well have had someone arrested in the drug raids. But the risk management issues were at the heart of the closure.

How many times has that chapter been shut down? I was at SDSU in 1998 or so when UTEP played SDSU in Qualcomm/Jack Murphy/whatever they call it now Stadium and there was no Lambda Chi chapter then.

I see the SDSU chapter won a few awards according to the new electronic Cross & Crescent. Are they still around?

We had three chapters in San Diego: San Diego State (closed), UC San Diego, and the University of San Diego. San Diego State did receive a recruitment award but operations were suspended after the award decisions were made.