U. of Maryland: Chapter De-Recognized (Beta Theta Pi)
 

The July 27, 2006 online issue of the U. of Maryland’s student paper, [I]The Diamondback[I], reports that the university has de-recognized the Beta Theta Pi chapter there. The exact reasons for the decision are not given, although there are allusions to rule violations. The article says that Beta HQ supported the university’s decision. A re-colonization may be sought in two years. See

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/vne.../44c844f482e14

Excerpt: [I]“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.”[I]

It's always good for us to pay attention to these sort of reminders. Looking at that house, I have to imagine that Beta had a lot of good things going for it at UM. The current members, however, seem to have seen fit to piss all of their alums' work away by disregarding the rules.

I may be a little quick to judgment here, but the above seems to be true more often than it is not.

That said, with facilities like that, they must have supportive alums. If that is so, they may recover nicely. I recall that a similar incident happened with the Betas at Oklahoma State. They have bounced back nicely from it, and are now one of the better houses on campus (or at least, they were the last time I was there).

"No Smoking Gun"

Interesting, but there musat ahve been a reason and that is sad when a Chapter feels bigger than the whole of Thier Organization as a total.:(

It does seem to be a beautiful Building, I wonder what it looks like on the inside?

That would be a lot of proof of the pudding.

I do agree with you Tom.
But all one has to do is read some of the other treads here to see that, alas, there are 'members' of GLO's that seem to only think of their house and nothing more or else.

As an alumn of Maryland and of a sorority there, I'm saddened to hear about Beta.

And, I'm really surprised that people are surprised. It's been a long time since I've been there but back then, Beta was considered to be a weak house. And the diamondback article seemed to imply that they were a strong house and then something happened to shut them down. Which is almost more heartbreaking if they worked their way up the tiers and got to be a very strong house and then lost their charter.

Regarding the house, it's part of Fraternity Row and the row had gone through renovations so unless it was destroyed inside, it's probably a decent house inside.

I am still stuned as to the changes the Maryland greek system has gone through in the past 15-20 years. Too many changes to name!

They did.

It is very heartbreaking that they worked up to "Top tier" or whatever and then ruined it for themselves. That's just sad. Why do something that will throw away everything that you and your org have worked for?

George Orwell would have loved this article. It's an exercise in doublespeak.

I mean, I can understand not wanting to "air dirty laundry", but there's NOTHING here indicating what sort of problems there were other than a vague comment on "programming." That could entail about anything they do. Physical plant was a mess? Hazing? No regular meetings? Drinking? Guys playing D & D and running around dressed like elves? What??

That would have made them extremely Top-Tier. Elite even.;)

What Happened -Beta Theta Pi at University of Maryland
 

Almuni received some letters from the General (National HQ), Greek Life Staff at the Univ of Maryland and Local Chapter Advisors as to what happened.

Basically, the chapter in the late 80's was one of two (out of 33 approx fraternities) without a house and as such was not considered "strong". The University has a Fraternity Row (14 houses) and once Beta moved into one, they became a better fraternity.

In the 80's - Maryland (state university) was ranked Top 20 of Playboy's Party Schools. Approx 30,000 undergrads. Over the years the school reduced enrollment (approx 20,000) and as such the standards (GPA, SAT, etc...) to get in got much harder and the caliber of undergrads got higher.

In response to becoming a "better" state university, the University of Maryland created a "Vision" document that governs Greek Life. Every year, each fraternity and sorority has to submit a report (addressing 30 items such as academics, philanthropy, etc..) to be recognized.

In the past 10 years, there have probably been 10 National Fraternities (Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Theta Chi, Tau Epsilon Phi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Phi Sigma Kappa, etc...) that have left the campus for one reason or another. Basically, the University has given fraternities a short leash, and has no problem letting groups go (groups that may have 50-90 years history on campus)... Note: some of the other fraternities at Maryland were kicked off because a kid died from alcohol poisioning (found him asleep/dead on the front porch the next morning, etc... Not the case here.

Beta became a "athletics" house - won the IFC Athletic Cup 10+ years running. It appears they become focused on sports and partying. The culture and attitudes changed and that lead to problems, which the University finally become worried that they were "an accident waiting to happen".

Several incidents. A pledge left the chapter house one evening (drunk from a brother/pledge bonding event), hit a sign, his bumper came off the car, and the ploice found him (presumably from the license plate on the bumper which fell off) in his apt - unconscious on his couch.

Beta got into a fight with members of Lambda Chi Alpha (relatively new on campus) and one guy was hospitialized. His mother called Beta General and threatened to sue. The local chapter never reported the incident.

This past Spring 2006, the chapter did not make the minimal grade point average required by the University.

So, all in all, the University had enough. When the annual review (Vision) came up, they decided to deny recognition for the coming Fall 2006 school year. The fraternity houseBut the alumni support had been tremendous. Beta has been asked to re-colonize in 2 years (where normally the University makes fraternities wait at least 4-5 years before trying to come back).

I've seen one Beta recolonization (Oklahoma State) -- and it went amazingly well. The chapter was completely transformed. I'm sure with the alum support you guys seem to have that you'll do great.

HAHA, yep, Betas are greeeaat @ OSU...

They rebounded well.

Not to say that they're anywhere close to tops on campus, but they're definitely not at the bottom either. There's a ton of money behind that house. Or at least there was right after they recolonized and rebuilt. My information is not 100% up to date seeing as I've been out of the loop for a couple of years now.

maryland's beta
 

The truth about Maryland's Beta is that it was a very strong chapter, the strongest all-around fraternity at the University of Maryland. Academically, they were only insufficient for one semester and by a very slim margin. Most brothers have completed or are in the process of completing work in one of Maryland's Living-Learning gifted students programs, such as CIVICUS, Scholars, or Honors. A majority of them balance a part-time job along with the rigors of an academic and social life. Athletically, they won the IFC cup for 12 straight years with dominance in every sport (so much so that the Greek board tried to change the overall scoring rules to end their reign as champs, but Beta took the cup anyway). In terms of charity, the Betas organized March of Dimes' Jail and Bail on campus as well as participate in wiffle ball and dodge ball tournaments held by other houses. Socially, Betas were well-known and well-respected. To say the chapter was anything less than above-average is ignorant.

The problem was in fact that the Beta chapter had done so well that every other chapter began to act as tattling and exaggerating children on the Betas. Accusations and gossip without any concrete evidence became the ultimate reason why Matt Supple, coordinator of Greek Life at UM, decided to kick off Beta Theta Pi. The drunk driving incident and hospitalization incident both happened in the Fall semester of 2005. Also, if the hospitalization and fight had been such a big deal, why was no police action taken against the assailant? The university took NO action against the Betas for either "event", rather agreeing with a set of restrictions self-imposed by the Betas themselves after the drunk driving incident. The chapter did not receive a single complaint throughout the Spring semester, but was terminated nonetheless, citing "failure to adhere to the Vision requirements and overall degradation of chapter character". The Vision requirement WAS in fact met, but the paperwork was not submitted by the chapter on time (God forbids it get accepted late). Also, the chapter was not in any way shape or form of lower character than most of the other fraternities, one of which had three members assault a Beta in a bathroom with beer bottles and a glass. This chapter was not disciplined.

While the drunk driving incident was horrible and is definitely a reason for punishment, that one incident in which (thank God) no one was harmed should not be the reason they lose their recognition. A strict punishment and strong restrictions, yes. But an isolated incident in a group of gentlemen who have dominated in athletics, met the academic standards, maintained an amazing pledge process, helped the community, and created a revered persona at the university is no reason for the action taken by the university. Matt Supple is amazingly unreasonable in this case, and to say the advisors are on-board is an overstatement, begrudingly agreeing for fear of ultimate expulsion is more like it. Maryland's Greek Life handed down the decision in mid-July, leaving 33 students (almost all between the ages of 18 and 20) out of housing for the upcoming semester. The university was overbooked in terms of on-campus housing as it was, real estate in that area is a hot market as it is (being right around DC), and most apartment buildings filled up their residencies by mid-May. All Greek Life did for the now homeless members of Beta was give them a useless off-campus housing website (with most postings in the crime-ridden areas of Hyattsville, Greenbelt, and Beltsville) and the cold shoulder.

Matt Supple and his band of (anti-)Greek Life goons were willing to disregard the American ideals of due process and concrete evidence in order to get rid of (in his own words) "the bullies of Beta Theta Pi." The truth about the Delta Omega chapter is that they became too successful, and as everyone knows, once you are at the top, your competitors will try to make sure you go down...hard.

Sounds like you guys got hosed.

If what you say is true, I'm very surprised that your HQ didn't stand behind you.

unbelieveable
 

Yes, since they are not a Men of Principle chapter and had not agreed to change our traditions to take on their new deal, some brothers feel that the HQ may not have tried that hard to keep the chapter active, as well as an awesome house on 6 Fraternity Row. Instead, brothers felt that the HQ used this event as a lever to set their own agenda into motion because changing to MoP is optional for older chapters. Members of the now defunct Beta Theta Pi feel that their strong brotherhood amongst each other and with the alumni of the chapter (who still came to every football tailgate, brotherhood event, and graduation dinner) has been ignored and feel that its a travesty that this bond will not continue on for the younger generations. There are graduates from the mid-1980s who would still come to hang out and talk Beta with the current brothers. A brotherhood tradition built on excellence and thriving on ageless unity discontinued because of envious houses and a seemingly uncaring HQ.

God, not ANOTHER "man" pr campaign!
 

Thank god my fraternity has resisted this trend of "______ man" or "men of ______" programs that has been happening in the NIC world. We still have a meaningful, tradition-based, non-demeaning new member program(but gie a member full rights after inish) AND do not feel the need to deny 21 yr olds the right to drink in their own homes. If Beta's story is true, then it sounds like they are another victim of political correctness. I know that we had an experience with an SigEp group from W&L that left because they where being forced into their "balanced man" program. We also just affiliated an old chapter of SAE that left over their version of "Man". They are one of the best groups at Duke.

Only some fraternities at UMD have this policy (and not to mention, ALL sororities). Alpha Tau Omega, for example, agreed for their house to be dry as a condition of recolonization. They happen to be one of the strongest and largest fraternities on campus.

My point was not about chapters that choose to go "dry",but inter/nationals that force them.

While I could not find or locate policy on my old schools web site, IIRC the school is dry. And if not 100% total, very strong limits.

Some times we forget that other organizations we are involved with have their own risk management depts.

It will be a cold day in hell before Beta HQ decides to stand up for a chapter. Every year more chapters a closed than are colonized. There are some very questionable people working at the AO.

Having seen my own chapter close, I can understand your feelings-to a point.

My chapter needed, at the stage they were at, to be closed. They were way beyond "Animal House" in many ways. And not in the fun way at all.

I wish that local, regiional, and National had acted much earlier to save it. And inconverstation, there seems to be a belief on their part that they did act too late....to save it but had no choice but to close it...when they and the school did....

So, in Beta's case is it National or is it the chapters that are turly at fault???????

UMD Beta Closing
 

MartytheMoose (and Kevin)

Interesting points! Seems you have some inside info, Were you an active Beta member? Some of the comments you make are new to me. Alumni heard a different story to some points.

Yes, sounds like the University and Greek Life hung you out to dry in regards to housing. Telling you in June or July and having less then 2 months, is hard.

There have been other postings on this website that seem to imply the Beta General Fraternity (HQ) does seem to want older chapters to adopt their new policies. So maybe HQ didn't have your back.

But the pledge driving back drunk supposedly happened in Fall 2005 (chapter closed in Summer 2006). What about the fights?

Yeah, it does seem as though Beta was the top dog, and jealousy turned other fraternities to turn in, or complain about Beta to the Greek Life whenever they could.Additionally, the Beta chapter begun to develop a less then stellar reputation in regards to their socials, hazing, and risk management..

So, yes maybe there was alot of gossip, jealous groups complaining, and no criminal charges.... But there is an old saying "Where's there's smoke, there fire".

Beta may not have been total outright criminals, but I doubt they were choirboys either... Not saying fraternity guys should be.

But it does seem as though the University had enough complaints and decided to use Beta as an example to everyone else. Unfortunately, there is no "due process" or the same legal rights as a some may think. Especially, when the house is owned by the University.

Unforetunately, in this time of lawsuits, groups have to be extra careful. Times have changed and Universities don't take crap anymore. They drop the axe fairly quickly these days, and don't wait for someone to pass out and die from alcohol poisoning.

As for alumni, well this past weekend - October 19-21, 2007, Beta celebrated what would have been its 25th Anniversary at Maryland. Over 200 alumni came back for a "formal" event Friday night, with an awesome tailgate before the 8pm game.

Martythemoose wrote:
"Members of the now defunct Beta Theta Pi feel that their strong brotherhood amongst each other and with the alumni of the chapter (who still came to every football tailgate, brotherhood event, and graduation dinner) has been ignored and feel that its a travesty that this bond will not continue on for the younger generations. There are graduates from the mid-1980s who would still come to hang out and talk Beta with the current brothers."

Not one of the guys who were active members in 2006 when the chapter closed were present. So, the statement that the alumni from the `80's are involved is not true. Alumni have no interaction with any members from the defunct chapter.

The University and Beta General are going to wait for those guys to graduate and start a new group most likely.

That's a good thing, right?

Seeing as how MartytheMoose only ever posted on GC twice, and both those posts were on the same day over a year ago, I doubt he's still around to answer any questions.

I just stumbled upon this website and after reading this thread, feel inclined to make a quick post to clarify some things.

I was an active in Beta during the time period we were removed from campus. With that being said, I can speak with first-hand knowledge about the events leading to our removal from the University of Maryland.

Based on the posts made by "MartytheMoose" I would say that he was in some way involved with our house, as his information is completely accurate. I wholly agree with each and every one of his statements made in this thread.

At the close of the year just prior to the summer that Beta was removed from campus we were on good standing with both the university and general fraternity. There were no restrictions or new incidents that could have resulted in any type of punitive action. The ONLY issue that the Executive Board was aware of was small financial liabilities that would have been easily rectified without issue.

I understand the perspective of Delta Omega Alums, as there has been a serious gap in communication both during and after our removal. For whatever reason, the stories that I have heard from older alums simply do not completely match up with what happened.


In my opinion the incidents of that summer were despicable on a number of levels, two of which stick out in my mind.
1. The office of Greek life punished a group of good young men simply to flex their muscles to the remaining houses. In doing this they stripped students of their housing and let the house run vacant for over a year.
2. Our chapter was consciously thrown under the bus by the general fraternity based on what I feel were likely based on selfish intentions.
The general fraternity should have been the group that went to bat for us and simply put, they didn’t

I just want to respond briefly to the statement about the lack of people at the alumni tailgate...

The simple explanation to why there were no members from the 2006 class is because we were not invited. I found out about this tailgate from a brother who saw it listed as an activity on the website. Active brothers were never told about it, despite the fact that the email list-serve was and is still active to this day.