Beta Theta Pi Resignation advice
 

I got initiated into beta my freshman year and my colony got shut down, a semester later. I want to rush another fraternity at my school since beta did not really provide me with that fraternity experience. My colony was shut down prematurely. I want to resign and join another fraternity. My questions are, If i turn in my resignation letter will they approve it? Can they deny my resignation?. I have a friend who was from another fraternity and they denied his. I'm anxious about this, because some other fraternities at my school have shown interest in me joining them. Please, don't judge me.

Beta's national headquarters is where you should direct your questions. We have no idea.

If you weren't initiated as a full member, you should be eligible to join any other fraternity without any further action on your part with regard to Beta.

He said he was initiated in the first sentence.

Missed that.

He might contact Beta HQ to determine whether he really was initiated. I could see where a colony member might confuse a colony pledge ceremony with full initiation.

Agree. In many colony instances (at least with sororities), initiation does not happen until the colony has fulfilled all the requirements to become a full fledged chapter. If the OP's colony was closed before it became a chapter, then this might also be the case, and he might be misconstruing the pledge ceremony for an initiation ceremony. If that is so, then the OP should be free to rush again.

I understand that your Colony was shut down, but keep in mind that your membership in an organization like ours extends much further than your campus. You were initiated into an organization that spans the globe, and were entrusted with certain secrets that create a bond between you, me, and every other Brother, regardless of the chapter we were a part of. I'm genuinely sorry your undergraduate experience was a short-lived one, but the saying goes: "Once a Beta, Always a Beta, Everywhere a Beta."

When a Chapter (or Colony) is closed, all Active (initiated) members move to Alumni status in the eyes if the General Fraternity. You can try to resign your membership by contacting the Administrative Office in Oxford, but it isn't up to them to grant you permission to pledge another fraternity.
You're officially an Alumni member of your Colony's Roll, and the other fraternity you wish to pledge will have to be the one to grant you that right.

Feel free to reach out to me via PM if there's anything else I can do for you.

Yours in __kai__

Nick

I know what it means to be initiated, I'm not stupid. I was initiated, and they were close down a less than a semester after. I contacted the HQ and they told me about the resignation process. I just want to know if joining another fraternity would be easy for me, and I would like to know if they could deny your request.
I was tricked into joining them as when I was pledging I didn't know they were a colony since they were off campus, and no one told me they were heading for doom,that is another thing that makes me angry with them. I told some of them I was resigning and they don't really care. I don't wanna whine but I wish I had joined another fraternity.

Contact the campus Greek Adviser to see if you are eligible to rerush if Beta HQ allows you to resign your membership. It's doubtful at best if you were fully initiated as a brother and not as a pledge, so expect a "no." It doesn't matter if you were "tricked;" it was your job to do all your research before initiating to make sure this was the right fraternity for you. What's done is done, and you don't need to be rude or belligerent with us about your bad decision.

We have no idea what they will say or what the outcome will be. Stop wasting time whining and pick up the telephone to call the Greek Adviser and Beta.

No need to be a jerk.

What she said. Additionally, you very possibly could be confused there. A lot of groups don't initiate colonists, so if your group was operating and initiating without the sanction of HQ or if maybe you're mistaken, it's worth a call to HQ.

That said, I can't speak for anyone but Sigma Nu, so I'm not sure what that's worth, but we wouldn't care that you had resigned from another group. You'd out of consideration because you were initiated elsewhere.

Given what Nick, who is a Beta, said above, I take it that Beta does initiate colony members.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickoJCU (Post 2211866) When a Chapter (or Colony) is closed, all Active (initiated) members move to Alumni status in the eyes if the General Fraternity.

But yeah, ditto on the attitude.

Not knowing you, not knowing your campus, and not being part of Beta's HQ, we have no idea whether Beta could deny your request or whether joining another fraternity would be easy for you.

You said HQ told you about the resignation process -- did you ask them whether they could deny your request, and if so, what the grounds could be?

Based on previous GC discussions on the subject, the NIC rule is that you may not join another fraternity unless Beta states in writing to the HQ of the fraternity that you want to join that you are no longer a member of Beta. But that doesn't mean a chapter will offer you a bid. Some might, some might not because they choose not to, some might not on general principle (like Kevin says of Sigma Nu above).

We just have no way of knowing.

I don't have an attitude, I explicitly stated that I was initiated. I find it insulting that some people would think I don't know what initiation means I have done my research and some fraternities have expressed interest in me once my resignation is complete.
The brother from beta had already answered my question. I will call Beta HQ and ask if a resignation request could be denied. I just can't find any reason why they would deny someone's resignation.

We have experience on our side. We've found a good deal of new Greeks that don't know the difference between pledging and initiation. You are paying for the sins of those who have come before you. But you still have an attitude.

Then apparently you are easily insulted. As others have noted, we have seen plenty of people over the years who think they have been initiated and say they have been initiated when they have only pledged or become new members. The people on the internet forum that you came to asking for advice were merely seeking clarification or confirmation of the relevant facts so that any advice offered would have a chance of being accurate.

Taking offense when none is intended pretty much guarantees being perceived as having an attitude.

Good luck to you.

I think we can all probably say with certainty that you can resign. Whether or not any other fraternity will give you a bid I something none of us know.

FWIW, I would only say that because Beta HQ and Nick (above) seem to say that. I don't know how it works for any other orgs, but my fraternity actually doesn't have any provision or procedure for resignation. A collegiate member could stop paying dues, stop participating and otherwise basically force his suspension or expulsion, but a member cannot resign.

I apologise, does this satisfy and make you guys happy? Well, I hope it does. Have a fabulous day

No it doesn't. Apologies only count when people are truly sincere. Do go rush again. With your attitude, you will most likely have a plethora of invitations.

Good evening all,

I am the moderator for the Beta foru and mikjaeger3000 I apologize for not seeing this sooner and responding.

You have gotten generally good advice on all fronts- and please keep in mind we have seen it all here. So the questions to verify your true initiation status were sincere attempts to assist.

PM me if you like and I will be happy to call HQ on your behalf (I don't need your name or other details, just an indication my assistance would help at this point), and I will get some answers for you.

Resignation I am not so concerned about- that I have every reason to believe will be granted on your request.

The real concern is your future eligibility to join another IFC organization. Most undergraduates do not understand that process since resignations of membership are fairly rare, and I myself need to double check. That said, I do believe that resignation after initiation does not clear the decks for you to join another IFC fraternity.

If the other fraternities expressing interest in you are not IFC organizations, then you are likely in the clear since from your posts it appears they know your situation and specific story.

Anyhow- that is where I can get you some real answers since on the resignation question I have never seen a situation where it is denied. It does not change the fact you are in the system as having been initiated, but you can resign.

Thank you. I spoke to the Head of Greek Life at my school yesterday and he told me that I'm cleared to join another fraternity as long as Beta sends him a letter telling him I am no longer a member then I would be eligible to join another one. My school's IFC constitution does not say anything about resigning and joining another fraternity. I do know the choice lies with each individual fraternity on my eligibility to join their ranks. Thank you for your help and if I have any further questions, ill let all of you know.

Good deal- sounds like you have done all the right research. I am sorry to lose a Beta brother, but I understand the circumstances and wish you all the best.