Iowa suspends PiKA 'til '09
 

Monday, November 29, 2004


UI suspends fraternity until 2009



By the Press-Citizen


The University of Iowa has suspended recognition of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity until fall 2009 based on information that members provided alcohol to pledges at the chapter house, UI announced Monday.
An investigation also revealed some of the pledges had performed calisthenics as part of or following an Oct. 20 pledge test.
UI’s decision to suspend the Gamma Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha was made concurrently with the Supreme Council and staff of the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity. The International Fraternity’s decision was in response to the chapter’s violation of the Fraternity’s Standards of Retention of Membership, school officials said.
Suspension of university recognition means that the fraternity is not eligible to participate in university programs or the Interfraternity Council activities and meetings.

Hazing
 

Things have changed , when will chapters learn, lineups hazing and boozing up pledges will not met with probation, reorganizations or anything short of closing of chapters. Society has tightened up , we must get on board or we will decline .

2009, wow, that is the kiss of death for the Pike Chapter there!:(

It is saddening and maddening as we see more and more of this when there is so much notoriety in the media.

If they think this building Chapter relations, they are seriously mistaken.

bye bye chapter...sad, and i knew some real nice pikes along the way.
where to...what next?

hmm this poses an odd question, if this happened to your chapter while you were in school, say your sophmore or freshman year, what would you do?

I'd prolly transfer to a school with a chapter of the same national and tell whatever school i was at previously to screw themselves, but that's just me.

Then there is always underground...

Okaaaay.

It wasn't just the school's decision, it was also made "concurrently with the Supreme Council and staff of the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity" so obviously the chapter was doing things of which their own headquarters disproved.

The U of Iowa is really cracking down on their Greek chapters, a trend I think we will start to see elsewhere, especially with some of the things that have happened this fall.\

I don't know if it's necessarily a "death sentence" for Pi Kappa Alpha there, there are a few fraternities that have left campus for that many years or more and have reestablished themselves with success. The Greek Community is strong, but it's been hit hard the last few years.

There is always life without a fraternity. Many many college students survive it. Isn't the point of college to go to school...not JUST be in a fraternity? Why be so angry at the school? The chapter messed up.

I would say "are seeing" elsewhere.

Is it that, like young people, chapters feel bullet proof -- the "it won't happen to us" syndrome?

Guess what. It's happening a lot.

Just look at the threads here in Risk Management.

When will chapters realize that times have changed? Now they have to change, too.

Iowa's lost 2 fraternities in the last year (Beta in the Spring and then Pike this semester)....it's sad to see the greek system slowly losing chapters. the sororites on a whole here are quite large in numbers (14 chapters, with probably 10 at capacity or very close, around 120), but the fraternities are much smaller, the largest being around 70 and the smallest with under 10.

Though, on a lighter note Phi Delta Theta is again recognized by the university.

Lil E, yea many people do go through college without being in a fraternity, they are called the ones who didnt pledge. I pledged, I love my brothers and I love how and what I've chosen my college life to be, and if it got taken away I'd go somewhere that i could have it.

I earned it, i enjoy it, i'll keep it.

oh it is for learning, but all work and no play makes J a dull boy, also remember, there's a time and place for everything and it's called college, i probably am one of the biggest drunks on my campus but i got a 3.5 this semester, while being VP of my frat, and working 20 hours workstudy and 20 hours a week at a real job.

If all things are equal
 

This isn't really such an 'out there' option or suggestion. Well, perhaps the 'screw you' part to the previous school. But as the cliché goes: "Not all education happens in the class room."

Academics should come first. Yet some (many, few, what have you) degree programs do not really 'get going' until the junior or sophomore year. (A reason many transfers happen by the start of the junior year.) So if you are a freshman or sophomore and all things are equal - i.e. it would be considered a 'lateral move' academic wise and the college has a chapter of your GLO - then why not consider transferring?

Frankly, I think it might behoove some students to maximize their education by continuing to be active as an undergraduate in Greek life. As compared to remaining and having to go alum or perhaps underground.

Again, to be clear. Academics do come first. However, this scenario is if all things are equal between the two schools regarding the individual's academic pursuit.

FWIW, Iowa has allowed chapters to return. Lambda Chi Alpha was gone from 1996-2001, but they're back and doing well.

The Northwestern LCA's were suspended by their alumni board (lack of recruiting was a major reason) back in the late 1990's, but they've made a triumphant return to campus. They've won "Chapter of the Year" three out of the last four years.

Sadly, these are exceptions to the rule. It seems most chapters don't make a comeback. This is due to a number of reasons, but a biggie is lack of alumni support.

I know of one Lambda Chi chapter that fell because they didn't have any alums step up to take responsibility for working w/the UG's. The alumni that had been helping the chapter were burnt out and had no one to replace them.

It's up to us, as alums, to keep in touch with our chapters and lend a hand.

-BF

even if i had to loose a few units that wouldnt transfer, i'd still do it, and make them up during the summer and what not. Greek life has made my life what it is today, and has taught me as much as i've learned in the classroom. I don't think i'd give it up, and Underground, while a viable option for many, probably wouldnt work for me.

I Applaud SirHorneyToad!:)

I just cannot imagine not being affiliated with a Greek Organization.
Why:

Just going to classes, library, student center, home. While this may not be tru fro everyone, I have found while the Educational portion is the reason to go to College, being a memember of a Greek Organization is a much more well rounding situation.

Why:

Having the opportunity to work with a larger group for interaction. Working on specific events helping each other. Becoming an Officer and helping to lead others. Having more people to turn to for help when in need.

After shool life in the real working world, I have Brothers/Sisters gathering, calling, doing projects together.
Sure, I made friends working at Macy's, Penneys, KCKPD, Winer, Distillery, Wholesaler, but, I dont keep in touch and do with any of them. The Brothers of LXA, I would have to make a long list!

Then, to throw in Brothers/Sisters of the many Greek Organizations I have met on GC.

Just for me, That Is What Being a Part of Greek Life is really all about!:cool:

Hazing to me has no place in Greek Organizations at all. If I am good enough to be selected into an Organization they why should I be Demeaned or anyone else. I want to be A Brother/Sister for life, not just 4-5 years if that long.

Oh hell, just to long a post!:(

I would definitely stay at the school - I chose my school based on academics, not on Greek life. I would still be friends with the people who I knew through the fraternity.

It was great to be a part of Greek life, and no doubt something like this would disappoint me; however, when was all said and done, I went to Boston U. for my education with Greek life as a nice bonus.

Exactly. In fact I was impressed by one sorority that had its members take a leave of some sort to concentrate on school since she was doing badly. In fact many fraternity's emphasize that school comes first. You should not be in school for 10 years or have a low GPA just so you can brag about being in a fraternity.

Many of us go to school for school. Everything else is a luxury. We get good jobs and give back to our organizations and schools. Heck I've given quite a bit to Chicago and to AEPi. The school and fraternity are not the end all, be all of my life unlike for some I guess.

-Rudey

That's another part of it too - you can do a lot more for your fraternity by being successful in life and giving back. An alum who has been successful professionally can give quite a bit (money, advice, etc.) to the organization as a whole.

Greek life is great, but there's life beyond being Greek.

Yes, but greek life is part of my life, and i wouldnt have it any other way, i get great grades, and of course school comes first, but my brothers come second, and if theres no fraternity then there's no greek life, so i'd move somewhere that had it. that is if i was a freshman or sophmore, now i've got 2 semesters left and i'm outta this bitch haha

OK... in your previous posts in this thread you've said yes school is for learning. You've also said "I'd prolly transfer to a school with a chapter of the same national and tell whatever school i was at previously to screw themselves, but that's just me." And lastly you just said school comes first for you, but your brothers are second.

=SO=

If your brothers really are second in your list of collegiate priorities, why would you just leave them for a school that had an active chapter so you can live the so-called life you said you have earned? Even though it is no longer an active chapter, these are the guys you pledged with, and "grew" with while your days @ college.

I don't have anything against transferring schools or meeting brothers in another chapter you didn't know before, but to purposely leave the brothers @ your chapter for the sole reason of going out and doing the greek life thing at another school with an active chapter is pretty selfish... not at all what most of our GLOs teach us to be ;)

There's nothing wrong with hanging out with the same guys... I'm sure the group would party just as much. You probably wouldn't be able to participate in Greek Week or Homecoming, but you'll probably still have a party to celebrate it :p

I know this is all a hypothetical thing, but oh well!

Also - I guess this is another question -- what happens to members of a GLO when a chapter is shut down? Are their memberships revoked? Do they automatically go alum? Maybe it depends on why the chapter was closed? So if you were a member and your chapter got the chartered pulled, and you were "forced" to go alum, I highly doubt a new chapter would be able to take you in.. even if you did transfer schools.

well that goes back to the original question, go underground or leave. Even if school is first, what school? If i'm gonna have the same degree at another school as i would have here and i can still get good grades then what do i care if i don't have X university on my diploma? My grades come first on my list of priorities, but for my list of loyalty my brothers would be way ahead of my alma mater, and i would encourage all of my brothers to transfer too if it could be done even to the same school if possible, it wouldnt be a question of ditching my brothers it would mostly be a question of being dissatisfied with the university. Regardless 2 semesters more and it wouldnt matter for me anyway =P

Of course overlooking one important thing. Many, many times, when a chapter shuts down, most (if not all) members are made alumni , only to be in good standing after a period of so many years. Transferring to another chapter may not be an option allowed by the national, to keep the problem members that got one chapter shut down from contaminating another chapter.

Some 'general' answers to your questions. I'm sure there are other answerers as well.

Q. What happens to members of a GLO when a chapter is shut down?

A. Each GLO has their own guidelines, By-laws, etc. so it would depend on the GLO. And depend on what is meant by 'shut down'. And why. 'Shut down' may mean that the charter is pulled by the inter/national HQ; or it may mean that the chapter is 'kicked-off' (removed) by the campus administration; it may mean that the chapter may have been suspended or put on probation for a certain period of time. Again, by either the GLO HQ or by the college. The situation usually dictates what the current members status will be.

Q. Are their memberships revoked?

A. Depends on the severity of the violation or situation. Severe reasons or issues may (often) result in termination. It may be that only certain members of the chapter get their membership revoked - the ones in violation of the GLO's policy - i.e. some memberships revoked, other memberships are not.

Q. Do they automatically go alum?

A. If the chapter is indefinitely 'shut down' (closed/charter pulled) and the member is in good standing with their GLO (criteria met for alum status i.e. dues paid etc.) then this is the usual case. If the chapter is on probation or suspended, then it may be that members are 'inactive'. Once the chapter is reestablished, they are considered active. Again, depends on the GLO's By-laws.

Q. Maybe it depends on why the chapter was closed?

A. Yes. In some cases, a chapter may be put on probation or suspended (whatever term the GLO uses) by the college and or their inter/national HQ for a period of time. In some of these situations, the chapter may be allowed to hold meetings and even do philanthropy work, but may not participate in what may be considered the social part of Greek life - i.e. exchanges, mixers, intramural, Greek Week etc. In some cases, the chapter may loose their vote on any Greek Council they are on (still have a representative) for the duration of the probation. In some cases, if the chapter has a university owned house, they may have to vacate the house for the duration of the suspension as well. In some situations, members may be considered 'active' while in other situations, 'inactive'. Again, it depends on the particular GLO's By-laws. If the GLO HQ is 'cleaning house' then they may decide to 'force' members to go alum and then recruit all new members for the chapter. In this last scenario, usually the charter is not revoked.

~It really does boil down to why a chapter is closed as to what status the current members will have.

Not sure what would be the correct terminology or how to word this. But I'll try.

Could a member (in good standing) petition their HQ to be allowed to remain active but at another chapter?

For example. Say there is a sophomore member who is studying abroad for a semester. While he was out of the county, the chapter was closed due to violations by others and were specific to *that* semester. i.e. the member had nothing to do with the reason why it was closed. The member returns, and as was planned when he started his college career, transfers to another college (that has a chapter of his GLO) for his degree. i.e. he was going to do two years at a local college then transfer to State U. to finish his degree.

In this scenario, for example, would (should?) he be able to affiliate with State U.'s chapter?

edted for spelling

A friend's chapter was suspended for a year due to poor grades. They weren't allowed to participate in any Greek life related events but could attend parties - if applicable - as guests. I believe he said they had to have an alum advisor attend their meetings too. I think he said they suspended recruitment for a semester to ensure their grades were up and that the new members grades had been met. (i.e. the 'main' rush for fraternities was usually in the fall but they didn't recruit until the spring.)

He said that the brotherhood actually grew stronger during this time. They really bonded together and worked as a group to get their grades back. They also didn't want to be known as the members who allowed the chapter to fold.

It's possible depending on the individual's circumstances, but I think most orgs would look at this on a case by case basis. I wouldn't say there is any particular rule of thumb for this.