Miami University Pi Beta Phi Suspended
 

It has been a rough Spring semester at Miami University :confused:....

Pi Beta Phi's Chapter at Miami University has Been Suspended

Pi Beta Phi Fraternity was notified shortly after an administrative hearing held on Friday, April 30 that its Ohio Zeta Chapter had been suspended for one year resulting from inappropriate conduct and destruction of property at the chapter’s spring formal in April.

Shortly after learning about the actions of some of its Ohio Zeta Chapter members, Pi Beta Phi placed its chapter on probation in order to change the culture of the chapter and to ensure it models Pi Beta Phi and Miami University values.

Do you have a link to the story, or some citation?

ETA: http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=12454879

Just to clarify - THE CHAPTER IS NOT CLOSED. So to say it has been a "rough spring" for Miami is somewhat inappropriate.

The Pi Phi press release can be accessed (clickable) from a page of their HQ site:

http://www.pibetaphi.org/pibetaphi/

Excerpt (pretty much what has been posted on GC previously):

Pi Beta Phi’s Chapter at Miami University has Been Suspended
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OXFORD, Ohio – May 1, 2010 – Pi Beta Phi Fraternity was notified shortly after an administrative hearing held on Friday, April 30 that its Ohio Zeta Chapter had been suspended for one year resulting from inappropriate conduct and destruction of property at the chapter’s spring formal in April.
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Shortly after learning about the actions of some of its Ohio Zeta Chapter members, Pi Beta Phi placed its chapter on probation in order to change the culture of the chapter and to ensure it models Pi Beta Phi and Miami University values. Fraternity leadership is observing the University’s decision, but has not yet determined the future of its chapter’s charter.
*
The Ohio Zeta Chapter of Pi Beta Phi was founded in 1945 with more than 1,900 proud Pi Beta Phi alumnae. “The alumnae join Fraternity leadership in expressing great disappointment in the decisions of a few chapter members who have completely disregarded the values in which Pi Beta Phi was founded,” Grand President Mary Loy Tatum said. “They have placed their chapter in jeopardy with Miami University and Pi Beta Phi.”

All I get is something that says "welcome to Indiana University, create and share your work online."

The reason I stated that it has been rough Spring semester at Miami University is that there is another sorority that been placed on two years suspension due to their behavior at their formal. I won't say what sorority it is because it has not been posted on their national website yet.

My sons, who are in a fraternity at Miami, have received the email that is going around the Greek community regarding the Pi Phi formal and it is very disturbing. It contains the letter sent by the owners of the facility where the formal was held and details what happened that night. It is alarming and you can see why the school took the action that they did.

I assume this is the letter in question. I have to say, the owners are being very generous in only retaining the $500 security deposit given everything that went on there (as per the letter details). I also sincerely hope for the couple that held their wedding there the next morning that their special day wasn't ruined because the staff were busy dealing with the destruction of the previous night.

If what that letter said is correct, to hell with the actives in that chapter. Disciplinary action is in order.

I saw the letter plastered all over the walls of a fraternity house this past weekend when I was there for my sister's graduation. I have zero problem believing it's completely accurate.

What does suspension mean anyway?

I can't speak on what it means for Miami and Pi Beta Phi, but it tends to mean that all activities on behalf of the chapter must cease and desist for a period of time unless waived by the national headquarters and/or university. This is a step beyond chapter probation/restriction.

Yeah, that's what it sounds like to me, so I'd interpret that as shut down for a year.

I know Miami doesn't have sorority chapter houses, but suites instead. Does this mean the Pi Beta Phi suite closes/ gets locked up, or does it revert to a "regular" dorm wing for a year? I would assume that housing assignments have already been done for next year, so I am curious the women that were going to live there next year...

From what I was reading though, these suspensions regularly get appealed so until there's something on the national sorority site that says they are dormant or resolved or closed or whatever you call it, I would assume the chapter is still open, just can't rush or do school/Panhel-sponsored activities.

this is really bad for the MU PiPhi's. Today on the AM 700 WLW Bill Cunningham radio show, he interviewed the Lake Lyndsay Lodge event coordinator/manager/owner (same woman, an MU alumnus herself) at the facility where the formals were held. (This is the most listened to radio station in the tri-state, not your typical AM station. It's all I listen to anymore). Holy hell... the things she says she and other employee's witnessed... I'm surprised the univeristy only gave them a year suspension. She did say there were between 250-300 people there, but only about 20-30 students were involved in the destruction. The woman said she felt really bad that they've been suspended, that wasn't her intent... but she definately wanted to bring it to the schools attention. Apparently MU released the letter she wrote to them to the press, and it can be found online. (The link above). A sad situation all around, and considering how much press it's getting now, especially today's radio interview, I wouldnt be surprised if 1 year suspension/probation gets increased to something more.

According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, "The suspension means the sorority loses its campus dorm suite, can't recruit new members and can't participate as a group in campus activities, Miami spokeswoman Claire Wagner said."

Thanks, Mr. Cat. As usual, your good for getting to the bottom of things.

If anyone is interested, The Eddie and Tracey show on 700 WLW is still talking about the MU PiPhi's. In fact, several women have called in claiming to be MU PiPhis who were there. If they ARE indeed PiPhi's from MU calling into the E&T radio show, I am embarassed for all PiPhi's (my own cousin included). I have never heard a more self-entitled, non-chalant, condescending bunch of girls. Their defense? "We were just having a good time. It wasnt as bad as people are making it out to be. This is how all formals are, and parties in Oxford. People are pretty much just jealous because we're the most popular and prettiest on campus." Were I their President or Risk Chair, I would be telling them to SHUT UP NOW. Maybe their nationals should know about the even more negative press they are bringing upon themselves. If anyone is interested, you can listen to the station online, and download podcasts of todays broadcasts.

This is a real life train wreck that I can't stop listening too.

I went to Miami. My sister went to Miami. Between the two of us, we've been to formal/semi-formal events for ten different chapters on campus. I never saw anything even remotely close to the description given in that letter.

And like I said, as soon as I heard which chapter it was, I wasn't even a little surprised.

And that is just plain SAD, Mel! I am so glad you and your sister are GOOD examples of what can come out of Miami.

I honestly hope they get more punishment than just a year probation and suspension. What if someone had died or gotten seriously injured or ill? Would it all be in "good fun" then? Where were their Sober Sisters? Why was the President hammered? A GLO like this gives ALL GLO's a bad name, not just other PiPhi's. People rarely hear about the good things we do... just stuff like this. Disgusting.

I am stunned. I know our risk management dictates that we have to go to and from the event on the bus but I would've called our advisor and left. (We have alumnae there, not always the chapter advisor though.) I'm embarassed that this was done by any Greeks.
Ps. A sink is NOT an alternative to a toilet. I don't care how badly you have to pee.

The letter from the venue representative indicated that there were no adults (i.e. non chapter members) present. That is why she kept trying to deal with the intoxicated president.

From everything I've heard on local media... no "adults" were present. No advisors, parents, chaperones, school representatives, etc. I dont ever remember having them at our formals either, though. Winter semi-formals were always held on-campus and were dry events. Spring formals were a big deal, though, and we also took buses to Lima or Findlay for them. However, there was always a core group of sisters... the exec girls, risk team, etc who stayed sober and regulated hardcore on people who got out of control. My freshman year, our own sweetheart (fiance of a senior) got out of control, and he was escorted out by 3 boyfriends of other sisters and made to sit in the parking lot under threat of calling the police. I just don't get how only 20-30 people got the better of supposedly 250-300 people. According to that Lyndsay girl from the facility on the radio today, that was how many people were out of control versus others just having a normal good time. She even mentioned that one person disappeared completely for hours, and people were afraid he had fallen in the lake and drowned.

Many (if not most) Risk Management policies preclude advisors or alumnae attendance at functions which are paid for by active members.

I cannot speak for every chapter, but I do know that it is customary and usual practice for the sororities at the University of Arizona to hire security for various events. These paid employees are responsible for checking IDs and maintaining order at functions, such as "date dashes." The University also has a strict GAMMA policy, and there are many regulations that govern various social functions.

*segue*

"There but for the Grace of God go you or I"... given what I've observed of the current climate and culture, it could easily have been any other chapter (fraternity or sorority) at any campus on any given day. Who can say? There are things like the perfect storm, and the tipping point, and I for one do not know why things happen the way they do. I wasn't there. Don't see any point in speculating.

Clearly, from what has been reported in the press, this was a hugely regrettable situation which is going to have long-standing repercussions.

However, I am loathe to judge anyone, lest I not be judged. I have faith in the system and in the leadership of Pi Beta Phi, and I believe that this will be addressed through the appropriate channels. I cannot even imagine how difficult it is for everyone involved, and I have faith that they will find the way through this, painful as it might be.


Panhellenically yours...

I think Univ of AZ has a good policy. I as an alumna would not want to be in the position of policing these young women. It puts alumnae in an awkward position, may actually leave them open to liability and may injure their relationship with the chapter when it comes to sanctioning the chapter. It's unfortunate that Pi Phi will have to deal with this, and I agree that each of our organizations are lucky that it's not one of our chapters.

I want to know why Miami's chapter of Tri Delta was just shut down for two years but Pi Phi was only suspended and just for one year... What could the Tri Deltas have possibly done to get a harsher sanction than Pi Phi if what that letter said was true? I'm guessing nationals had something to do with it, but why would they be so hard on a chapter that was about to celebrate their centennial if the University wouldn't sanction them as hard?

I'm sorry, but BULL SHIT!! She's getting a ton of publicity for her venue from this, and I'm guessing that her "intent" was for the sorority and the school to pay her 10x what the damages were. No, the sorority members do not deserve any slack being cut to them, but I feel like her spreading it around (and most probably sending the letter to deadspin herself) is super duper tacky.

That's what happens when you drink Natty Light. bleeeaaaahhhh

From what I remember, the Tri Delt chapter was allegedly hazing their members. IMO that definitely warrants a harsher sanction than drunk and disorderliness (especially if the dates were doing half or more of the damage, which it sounds like was the case).

What exactly is Natty Light? I know they referenced it once on Glee but we don't have it here

Natural Ice Light. A very cheap, very shitty beer. So it is the stereotypical "frat beer".

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/29/1524/

You aren't missing anything.

So we have Tri Delts that were suspended last year, Pi Phi that is on probation and Fuzzies on social probation. From what I read, the first two can't recruit next year, can Fuzzy?

This is unbelievable and no reflection of what the rest of the university is like. I hope more parents are able to read the letter that the Lodge wrote to the university. They should be ashamed of their "adult" (used loosely) daughters.

And, I agree with Mel, I am not surprised when I heard what group this was. I haven't been to Oxford in 25 years and this disputes nothing of what I have been told.

It used to be Buckhorn. Nasty.

UGH @ "Fuzzies"

Ehh, that's what they are known as at OSU and Miami, plus at a couple other Ohio universities that I can't remember. Not a slur on them, but I can understand how not everyone is enamored of that nickname.

And the actions of those Pi Phis and their dates, if true, is reprehensible.

Wow...I'm pretty much embarrassed to be called a sister to those right now.
I know that for my chapter of Pi Phi, our president, VPMD, and at least 3 other members had to be trained (by Panhel) sober monitors for any event where alcohol was present. I'm too lazy to get out the policy and position statements to look up exact rules. We normally had a few extra monitors there. Members were told if they got out of control, they would be sent home...either by taxi or by our alum chair's car. And we followed through.

This is ridiculous and disgusting. Not all formals are like that. Isn't formal supposed to be a classy event?

Not only that...I sure as hell would rather have Big Burly Security Guy telling Drunken Formal Date (who bench presses 500) that he has to leave the formal than have to put 100 Pound Alumna in that position.

I know it's popular up there, but it makes me cringe.

Everything I've read online where people have commented all say that this is a "typical" formal at Miami. Apparently the Alpha Xi troubles came from formal too. It's really sad that this kind of "formal" is a staple and if so all those Greeks need to clean their acts up. It's very ridiculous.