Down a Chapter?
 

So did we lose one of the Michigan Chapters or are they under heavy restrictions?:(

What makes you ask that?

Why Ask?
 

A segment of information in the Convention thread made me ask.

No, we didn't lose a chapter... they voted their suspension down even though there was alot of evidence otherwise... on the more optomistic side... we are up two chapters!!!

Great!
 

That is good news to hear.

Well, I'm not entirely sure what's being said is true. While we might have gained those chapters, I know that mine (Zeta Lambda) was lost this year.

^ Why was your chapter closed?

I wish the General would announce the closing of a chapter so that the rest of us would know what's going on around us.

My chapter was closed due to a lack of numbers. Historically, we have had a small chapter (usually between 15-25 men) since our inception in 1993. After having passed rules stipulating that chapters must have at least 20 men to be able to operate (I believe this was at the 164th convention), we were under the gun. We didn't do our job in terms of getting guys, and since the GF couldn't or wouldn't send people to help, they just closed us and said we're going to be restarted in the Fall of 2008 after the remainder of our brothers have graduated.

Do you have any documents on that legislation? I know my chapter is well below 20 guys, and they did not get shut down this past Convention. If that rule is documented, I'd love to read it and pass it along to our alumni/chapter.

-kai-

PS, sorry to hear about your chapter.

I think it's one of the standard operating chapter procedures. After having briefly searched the Code today, I didn't see anything on it, but it was definitely something that was hammered at my chapter the entire time I was an undergrad, both by our EC and district chief. It's also one of the tenents of the MOP initiative, not that my chapter was a partner in it.

The SCOE for membership is: Successful chapters maintain a strong and healthy level of membership. As a standard operating expectation, all chapters and colonies of Beta Theta Pi will aggressively recruit and maintain chapter membership at or above 20 members.

Do you have a link for this, or a reference point?

Thanks.

we always focused on being at or above the campus average for membership... considering that our campus is 7% Greek, small chapters are not uncommon. We're below 20 members at the moment, but hopefully Fall Rush will go well. Thankfully our chapter wasn't reviewed this year... despite our chapter being told numerous times that newly-chartered chapters would be under review for three years. With any luck, we'll perform well enough this year that next year's review will be a breeze.

To answer the original question, yes.

Taken from the University of Maryland newspaper.
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Fraternity kicked out for repeated offenses
Univ. refuses to recognize Beta Theta Pi
By Owen Praskievicz

July 27, 2006

University officials ordered fraternity Beta Theta Pi off the campus last week and refused to officially recognize the organization, citing a litany of past rule violations. The action requires at least a two-year absence of the organization from the campus.

The punishment is the most drastic measure the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life could take against a fraternal organization. Despite the seriousness of the decision, OFSL Director Mike Hayes declined to reveal the specifics of why Beta, currently residing in a Fraternity Row house, was kicked out.

“We probably won’t air the dirty laundry of Beta — that’s not in anybody’s interest,” Hayes said, but noted Beta received a string of warnings during the past two years after police and other sources raised concerns about the fraternity’s members.

The fraternity’s dismissal comes at the end of a school year that saw the passage of a formal policy governing fraternity and sorority practices and behaviors, which Hayes said reflects OFSL’s mission to build a “values-based” Greek community.

“Most of our chapters have gotten the message that the fundamental core of what the fraternity is has got to shift,” Hayes said, and denied Beta was being used as an example. “We would not put people through an anguished process just to make a point. It’s too stressful for everyone involved,” he said.

Over the course of two academic years, Beta’s “programming continued to erode that enough people were concerned about the viability of the chapter,” Hayes said.

The fraternity’s national office had also become involved in trying to improve the chapter, but Beta’s National Director for Chapter Services Jud Horras said his office ultimately supported the university’s decision to close the chapter.

Beta President Jonathan Shriner said a “spotless record” during the spring semester and attempts to satisfy OFSL requests were ignored by OFSL Assistant Director Matt Supple, who he said seemed “disinterested” in their efforts. Supple was unavailable for comment.

“The amount of stuff we have done is in no way justifiable for kicking us off,” Shriner said.

The decision to revoke the charter so late in the summer puts Beta’s house residents in a tough situation, Shriner said. All residents must move out by the end of the summer, and the only help offered by OFSL was the off-campus housing website, he said.

Beta will apply for a new charter in two years, Horras and Shriner each said.

The last university chapter to have its charter revoked was Sigma Alpha Epsilon in 2004, but the preceding two years were turbulent for the fraternity. Hayes acknowledged accusations of hazing and rape as well as a student death there contributed to the chapter’s dismissal.

For Beta, though, “there was no smoking gun” Hayes said.

Staff writer Kevin Litten contributed to this report. Contact reporter Owen Praskievicz at praskieviczdbk@gmail.com.

Only 2 years? Usually they will refrain from reopening a chapter before 4 years have passed so that the majority of the current members can graduate out. Hell, our chapter was closed for nearly a decade. HAHA

Only 2 Years
 

Maybe the powers that be took the last semester of good behavior (per the article posted) into account.

Let us be thankful that in two years Beta Theta Pi should be able to return even better than before, learning from the mistakes and working in a more open relationship with the institution.

Yeah, that may be a mouthful of flowery horse hockey but if that is what it takes to correct the mistakes made by the members of the chapter then I am OK with it. It would appear that there was something that needed to be corrected.

In _kai_,

"The last university chapter to have its charter revoked was Sigma Alpha Epsilon in 2004, but the preceding two years were turbulent for the fraternity. Hayes acknowledged accusations of hazing and rape as well as a student death there contributed to the chapter’s dismissal."
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I think it is a bit extreme to be comparing a chapter accused of hazing, rape and a student death to Beta which had "a spotless record" and "no smoking gun" in their last semester.

Misunderstood
 

I am sorry. I meant the actions of the Beta chapter only.

It stands to reason that some actions of the chapter were not within the guidelines setforth by our oath.

Once again, a non MOP chapter gets no support from the HQ.

My chapter is non-MOP, and we're struggling and they're helping us? It's which way you look at it. Half empty? Half full? If General put a bad taste in your mouth, your outlook will never change. I am sorry to hear that.

What kind of help do the MOPs get? I'd sure like to know... I mean I am in a MOP chapter and I dont see any special attention, if very much attention at all, and hell, we are a colony

Which chapter house is being refered to here??????? Not that it is good for either one...in fact rather really bad....

Found my answer right after posting this-very odd about SAE house. Per news stories, male student and chapter member was find dead on front steps and while alcohol posoning was ruled out, found a date rape drug in blood......no ones death is welcomed nor should it be taken lightly but my first thought was did he drink someone elses drink?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...2515-2002Mar26

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/...e-drinking.htm

and found this rather interesting site while looking around:
http://www.securityoncampus.org/

Maryland

I think the General walks a very thin line... whether or not your chapter is MoP has nothing to do with it. Your perception of their actions will fall under one of two categories:

1) If they interfere/advise, you'll think they overstepped their boundaries.
2) If they don't interfere/advise, you'll think they aren't available to you.

Either way, I have the sneaking suspicion you'd find a reason to complain. There is a wealth of knowledge and resources at your fingertips. All you need to do is ASK. If, after asking, you get no response, there is a long list of individuals you can call/email. Hell, let me know and I'll tackle the issue for you.

Michigan State was just recently disbanded.

It was. I was just talking to our LC about this. He mentioned that their house had 130 house code violations, and they were busted with two open parties with barrels this year welcoming freshman. They also had a house-fix-up weekend in which they had barrels....

The chapters SOP didn't seem to be the best.... Sad to see them go, but it's better than closing them down after a house fire or a dead member/rushee. They'll be back, and likely better than before...aka, Nebraska.

You know...having kegs, partying, talking to girls, and being a social fraternity does not mean that there are freshman being raped in the basement, guys free basing in their rooms, and pledges being tossed out windows.

We are a social fraternity!

You can be a social fraternity and still follow the rules, Coramoor.