At Least We're Not at the top...
 

Of students arrested in '06, 1-in-3 were Greek members
By Rebecca K. Quigley | rebecca.quigley@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 10:55 PM on Saturday, February 24, 2007
One in three University of Georgia students that UGA and Athens-Clarke County police arrested in 2006 was a member of a fraternity or sorority, according to records the Athens Banner-Herald obtained through an open records request.

Greeks as a whole got caught breaking the law slightly more often than the overall student body, but twice as many fraternity members were arrested as sorority members, according to UGA police and UGA Greek Life Office records.

Fraternities with the most arrests were Pi Kappa Phi with 17, Theta Chi with 12 and Delta Tau Delta, Kappa Sigma and Lambda Chi Alpha, each with 11 arrests.

Fewer sorority members were arrested, though Kappa Kappa Gamma topped the list with nine, followed by Delta Zeta with eight.

"I think it goes without saying that social organizations create more opportunities for students to become involved in activities that could result in some kind of adverse reaction," said Rodney Bennett, UGA vice president for student affairs.

"I'm not surprised that one in three arrests have been a person affiliated with a Greek organization," Bennett said.

Student affairs leaders should use the numbers as an opportunity to find out why that ratio is so high and how to make improvements, he said.

But because many fraternity and sorority members get good grades, administrators and Greek life leaders face a challenge getting those students to change their social habits to match their academic habits, Bennett said.

"Their social expectations are out of line with where they are academically," he said.

Fraternities and sororities have higher grade point averages than the general student body, according to UGA records.

So the argument that may work with other students - that alcohol problems will affect their grades - won't fly with many Greek organization members, Bennett said.

"You've got to think, 'OK, how am I going to handle that,' " he said. "It's a tough nut to crack."


GREEK ARRESTS

One in three University of Georgia students that UGA and Athens-Clarke County police arrested in 2006 was a member of a fraternity or sorority. Greeks got caught breaking the law at a higher rate than the student body as a whole, and twice the number of fraternity members as sorority members were arrested.

ARRESTS UNDERGRADS PERCENT

651 students 25,437 2.6

219 Greek members 5,416 4.0

454 male students 10,876 4.2

147 fraternity members 2,065 7.1

197 female students 14,248 1.4

72 sorority members 3,351 2.1

2006 ARRESTS BY FRATERNITY

Pi Kappa Phi: 17

Theta Chi: 12

Delta Tau Delta, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha: 11 each

Chi Phi, Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon: 9 each

Beta Theta Pi: 7

Sigma Chi, Sigma Pi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Alpha Kappa Lambda, Pi Kappa Alpha: 5 each

Sigma Nu, Phi Gamma Delta: 4 each

Alpha Tau Omega, Delta Sigma Phi: 3 each

Alpha Epsilon Pi: 2

Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Delta Chi, Chi Psi, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Phi Alpha: 1 each

2006 ARRESTS BY SORORITY

Kappa Kappa Gamma: 9

Delta Zeta: 8

Kappa Alpha Theta: 6

Delta Delta Delta, Alpha Omicron Pi, Zeta Tau Alpha, Phi Mu, Kappa Delta: 5 each

Alpha Gamma Delta, Chi Omega , Sigma Delta Tau: 4 each

Gamma Phi Beta, Sigma Kappa: 3 each

Delta Gamma, Pi Beta Phi, Alpha Chi Omega: 2 each

Sources: UGA police reports, Greek Life Office membership lists from 2005-06 and 2006-07 school years

Ya know, I'm kind of sick of certain people making Lambda Chi Alpha look like a group of thugs on this board.

Seriously. Look at some of these posts, all of which are currently on the front page. Whether it's a vote of no confidence, insulting another chapter for choosing to LEGALLY drink, threatening others with bashing their heads in with a brick, or some suggestions that we hold "MLK DAY" parties.

Yes, I know. Not everyone can be as knowledgeable, insightful or contribute as much as I have to this forum. Yes, it can be intimidating trying to come up with posts as smart and savvy as mine are, but that is still no excuse for failing. Although most posters will never come close to acheiving the high standard that I have set, you can still provide rational posts that can be helpful in our discussions.

But maybe we should consider criminal activity off limits for a while? So we can reclaim the positivity that was once on this board.

I have Google set to send me news articles with the words "Lambda
Chi Alpha" in them. This is what came tonite. I thought it was
interesting. As far as I'm concerned it makes the entire greek community
at UGA look bad.

I assure you if the article had been about a Brother rescuing and infant
from a burning building (or something equally moving) I would have posted
it...


PS - get over yourself...:-)

Just because you can....

...doesn't mean you should.

Knowing is half the battle...

Knowledge is power...

You must know of problems and acknowledge their existence before
you can hope to correct them...

You know what you're problem is, GZ? You lack confidence. It's not good to keep your feelings bottled up this way. Why don't you come out of your shell for once and tell us what you really think?:D :rolleyes:

Has anyone thought of launching an investigation into the UGA police force to find out why they're unfairly targeting greeks for arrest? One in three sounds like a pretty high rate of arrest for a group which, by their own admission, has higher grades than the student body as a whole. Could it be someone has a grudge?

All I'm saying is there's usually more than one way to interpret a news story.

My whole point is, why do we need such negativity?

Will it help this board if we are constantly flooded with negative articles about LXA?

I remember a few days ago one member said that they were concerned about potential members coming on this board and seeing negative posts. Well. Why wouldn't all these posts discourage someone?

I guess sarcasm dosn't translate well to the written word. I agree with your post. I was just marvelling at the extent to which you are in touch with your own awesomeness.;)

Ottor, I don't believe my god-like stature is up for debate. Yes, it is true that I have never been wrong while posting on this board, and that my opinions should be taken as LXA canon, but that doesn't mean people shouldn't try to prove me wrong.

After all, by trying to prove me wrong, people soon realize that through their own errors, that I am correct.

I do not feel that LXA is being singled out by any stretch of the imagination.

While none of us want to see nagativity about LXA Brothers, it is a fact of life.

I for one want to see any problems that our members do and in the same vein, I also wish to see any accolades. If it is not posted here by a Brother, it can and will be found by someone on site and posted on another thread.

By seeing problems, it may head of problems else where at other Zetas as it may give some a few thoughts about what not to do.

First things first, I suggest the bickering among Brothers cease. Tha would be a good start. Members of IHQ monitor this site and there are some who are members and post often.

Tom, it's the same problems over, and over, and over, and over, and over again. I could take any of those news stories, just change the location, names and date, and there wouldn't be any difference between them.

So that tells me either:

1. Someone at IHQ isn't doing their job...again.

2. Zetas, and college students in general, simply don't learn by others mistakes.

3. Both

So what is the point in either case to continue posting negative news stories?

It's not like whoever is responsible at HQ will get fired and it's not like some chapter will stop doing something wrong just because of a news story.

It also doesn't seem that HQ monitors this site. If they did, they would be getting their act together. It just seems like there is one negative story after another. Nothing is being done.

There is also nothing wrong with bickering between brothers, although everyone SHOULD agree with everything I say because I am always right.

Maybe it's time we start rethinking the LXA national structure? Maybe it's time to tear down and start anew?

HQ doesn't moniter the site per say, but individual board members do. I know because I've had my own words get back to me more than once.

Gamma I was really thinking that you had come around and were going to be a rational level headed poster. I guess I was wrong.

This is not a problem of someone at HQ not doing their job, rather it is invidual brothers choosing to act inapproprately. I think there may be some truth in Ottor's suggestion that UGA police may be unfairly targeting Greek members, but we will always be under increased scruitiny. It may be time for the leaders of the Greek community there to meet with the local police forces to figure out why a statistically higher percentage of Greeks are being arrested. Are the cops hanging out at fraternity row waiting for someone to bust? Are the "frat boys" looking for a fight when they are out? There must be some reason why more Greeks are being arrested, even if it stems from perceptions in the community as to who needs to be watched the closest.

GammaZeta, there is nothing wrong with the structure of LXA and does not need to be fixed.

The staff at IHQ and the Grand High Zeta are if nothing else very dedicated LXA Brothers or they would not be where they are and do what they do for what they get paid if it was not for the love of LXA.

Granted your experience was not the best but you can still carry on and try to get built back up. While your experience was bad, mine was good as many others have had.

There is not enough people to police each and every chapter to make sure everything is run to order. We as LXA with over @ 200 chapters and not being a super wealthy organization along with most cannot afford to it.

There is certain responsibilities that go along with joining any Greek Orgaization by the local members. Oh, "kids will be kids gets over used", and I like all of the rest on site have partied while in school and there are many chapters who have little or not problems. The ones who have been closed are done not at a whim, but because the continued to do what was wrong.

Remember, that Greeks are maybe unduly targeted can be true, but whose fault is that?

Bad news - how do we deal with it here?
 

I, too, get the Yahoo news briefs for LXA. But there is far more news out there than Yahoo reports. Yahoo does miss news - both bad AND good news. We have to have both to keep track of what is going on within the Brotherhood.

Members of the GHZ drop by once in a while - actually, I suspect that they lurk more than we know. If they read something here that warrants attention by staff members in Indy or by the GHZ there is a fiduciary duty to report the bad (and good) news to the appropriate folks. We're not hiding much. Indy gets those same Yahoo alerts.

If the Zeta at Georgia has 100 members and 11 were arrested in any one year, that tells me that there is something wrong at Georgia. Perhaps not within our chapter, but somewhere on campus and within the Greek environment there. Gang, that is an 11% arrest rate!

The local authorities may be applying special emphasis on the Greeks. It has been known to happen. We had that at Fullerton - we can discuss this off-line. If there is special emphasis on Greeks then our Brothers of the Peach State must figure out how to keep a low profile and not allow a situation to develop that would lead to an arrest. That's life. Learn how to adapt.

These numbers should scare the High Zeta at Georgia, from the High Alpha all the way to the guy who picks up after the house mascot dog. If the Executive Committee at Georgia will not or cannot cool the situation down then the General Fraternity will, and must step in to clean up the mess. In many Zetas an arrest would be more or less automatic expulsion. What is going on at Georgia?

We have many obligations as members of the Bond. One, whether stated or unstated, is to ensure that there is a Zeta at a campus because only then can young men, whom we have never met, discover what we have found within the Brotherhood. If we must exercise greater control over a Zeta then it is, unfortunately, what we must do. Been there, done that. And, oh yes, these numbers WILL make it to parents when Rush is discussed.

If I were the king I would call the Greek affairs advisor and set up an appointment for either myself or the Exec. VP, or perhaps both, and go down there and see WTF is going on. A meeting with the Zeta would also be in store. I want to know why 11 young men were taken into custody and what is being done about it.

Ok, so what do we do? Responsibility should be at the top of the organization, or at the very least HQ in general.

Tom, I'm not talking about any of my experiences or anyone else's, I'm talking about article after article after article that has been posted on these forums over the last several months. Mostly negative.

Ultimate responsibility falls on the HQ, they're the ones that monitor the chapters, cut the checks and have ultimate authority.

Maybe having a centralized HQ isn't working so well. Maybe we should divide HQ into regions, better suited to handle each areas needs, keep closer tabs on the chapter? After all, we are an INTERnational fraternity. Why have one building in the middle of Indiana?

Also the article does not specifiy what the arrests were for. How many of them were for underage drinking or public urination versus a violent offense such as assault?

Some sort of regional structure might not be a bad idea.

There is a standing committee on the Constitution & Stat Code. They are looking at many things from discipline to organization to you name it. This effort requires those committee members to read and review the governing documents of other fraternities. There are some fraternities that do have a regional structure using volunteers. Some function as super advisors while others have judicial authority, budget approval tasks and the like.

The C&SC committee might discuss a regional scheme, but I think that it is too early to look for it in '08. Plenty of other things need to be looked at and revised before the Fraternity stirkes out into the uncharted territory of a regional structure with authority*


* I say authority to differentiate the concept from the regional conclaves that we used to have which entailed a drunken weekend at the host Zeta's house and obnoxious conduct with respect to sorority girls that we knew we'd never see again!

Greeks Arrested
 

It seems that it the article is a bit negative but not towards Lambda Chi...if nothing else it looks bad on Pi Kappa Phi...it doesnt seem that it is a problem with nationals it just seems as if it falls on the active brothers..and the brothers before me were correct in the fact there needs to be inquiries as to why the police seem to be targeting greeks....:confused:

Where are the UGA alumni?
 

<<NOTE: I think I read on GC, some time ago, that Indy was chosen as our HQ city because it was easily accessible by train to the greatest number of our chapters. With the communications tools we have at our disposal today, it shouln't matter if IHQ were on the moon. Answers that used to take weeks to get can now be back to us in minutes.>>

I agree with John G. that there are indications that there could be a problem here. So where are the UGA alumni, and why aren't they checking on it?

I have a general wariness of centralized government, and lean more toward the side of volunteer involvement and personal responsibility. Saying, "Why doesn't IHQ do something?" while you watch a chapter go down the tubes is (to me, anyway) the same as watching some street thug beat up an old lady and asking, "Where are the police?" You're already there...do something!

Regardless of how we structure our headquarters, common sense tells me it will never have the resources to monitor our chapters that closely. And they shouldn't. IHQ is not your mom. Recognize your problems, make a plan and FIX THEM.

Remember - the oath you took when you joined Lambda Chi does not expire when you get your degree. If you've got a brother with a problem, don't ask why somebody doesn't do something...step up and help him.

The sermon has ended. Go in peace.

AMEN! HALELUJA!

I don't see any problem with posting "bad news" here. After all, the information
is readily available, and not mentioning it here makes it look like we're
"sweeping it under the rug"....something fraternities are known for doing
anyway.

An 18-yo rushee might even be impressed that a bunch of old geezers
(you're old if you're over 25yo) would even CARE what the frat boys are
doing. Unfortunately, others may say "Phi K Phi had the most arrests...
they must have the most fun...I'm going there!"

I would only have two suggestions:
- post more GOOD NEWS (like the brother rescuing the baby from the fire)
- keep the discussion civil, no need to make personal attacks. I know, this
is how American society is today (especially in politics), but some of us
still have hope that one day we'll return to the days when those who
disagree passionately can still be the best of friends, even fraternity
brothers.

Oh, and I think HQ is in Indy because the state of IN passed laws (tax,
incorporation, etc) favorable to national fraternity HQ's...thus about
half of them are there :)

RX this weekend! I can't wait! :)

Why Indianapolis?
 

See new thread

[QUOTE=john1082;1404378]Some sort of regional structure might not be a bad idea.

There is a standing committee on the Constitution & Stat Code. They are looking at many things from discipline to organization to you name it. This effort requires those committee members to read and review the governing documents of other fraternities. There are some fraternities that do have a regional structure using volunteers. Some function as super advisors while others have judicial authority, budget approval tasks and the like.

The C&SC committee might discuss a regional scheme, but I think that it is too early to look for it in '08. Plenty of other things need to be looked at and revised before the Fraternity stirkes out into the uncharted territory of a regional structure with authority*

John, I was not sure which to copy on this yours or GammaZeta.

Centralization does give a central point of reference such as IHQ at Indy. This is the center of coordination for things like The Paedagogus, C & C, Directory, or anything else that comes under the umbrella of running a multi Million Dollar Business. Check any International GLO or National GLO and see if they have a central office. Placing Regional Offices becomes unweilding and over burdensome with office staff and that cost money!

We as an Iternational have one of the best set ups for coverage of any GLOs. It is called the ELCs. They are the Regional arms of IHQ.

Most GLOs have volunteers from Alums who are Regional Managers and cover a very small area so to speak. Say one state only or just a few Chapters. Fine, or if the Eastern or Western areas have a lot of Chapters it will take more volunteers.

Maybe if We had all of the money in the world, we could have a hell of a lot of toys in the chest. Being a Greek of a certain Organization is a BUSINESS, not only at the National Level, but at the LOCAL Level. Local Budgets are smaller than HQs, but it is all the same! $$$$ !

Ottor, were you talking to me in your last post?

Can HQ fix all problems? No. But there is a point where it becomes apparent that something is not being done and it is getting out of hand.

Should HQ fix all problems? Yes. Whether it's fair or not, ultimate authority AND responsibility rests at HQ.

GammaZeta,

I was writing to everyone, but yes, I was responding to your post.

"Saying, "Why doesn't IHQ do something?" while you watch a chapter go down the tubes is (to me, anyway) the same as watching some street thug beat up an old lady and asking, "Where are the police?" You're already there...do something!"

Ottor, I'm not exactly sure what I should be doing to prevent a chapter 1,000's of miles away from committing crimes. I'm fairly sure that if I call them up, they'll just hang up on me if I say "Hey guys, quit it!"

Traveling is out of the question.

However, I DO KNOW who can change them. HQ! They have authority to do so, to step in and give orders.

So by speaking up, HOPING to get HQ's attention on this matter and saying something, does help a little.

Also, if we follow your logic, then what time should me, you, Tom, John, Doc, PiL, Em, Joiner, LXAAlum and every other living member of LXA meet up to have an intervention at the chapter?

Friday's good for me.

Thank you GammaZeta, maybe you have figured it all out!:)

NO, IHQ is not the total answer, IHQ is a central point for LXA and that only as I stated.

IHQ can only point out problems and have ELCs visit!

They give reports back to IHQ. If some continue to complain about the efficienty of IHQ, it does no good! Not because it is just you, but, they have a lot on their plate when Members and Chapters continually keep not following the Rules. The Rules that are voted on by Members/Brothers to enact.

We have one of the best Opperations from IHQ as anyone!:)

Just embrasse it and work within the structure!

Do what has been disscussed. Okay!

Okay so maybe I'm just out of it, but I've never heard of a university doing this before in my life. Why in the world would it matter what chapters they belong to? Did they do one for other groups on campus like Student Gov't, Baptist Student Union, Habitat, Choir, etc? I think someone has WAY too much time on their hands if they sit around looking up which organization a student belongs to.

Tom, you have to think of it like this.

An outfielder in baseball should catch 100% of the balls hit to him. That is why he is paid millions to play the position.

In reality, an outfielder does not catch 100% of the balls hit to him. Maybe it's the sun, not fast enough or a bad bounce. Something out of his control. Most of those are forgiveable.

But what happens when he starts dropping pop flys? Not putting in the effort to run to the warning track? Maybe bobbles the ball costing the team a run.

You can't blame the catcher. You can't blame the pitcher. You can't blame the hitter, the fans, the owner, the heckler, the umpire, the media, the people on the street, the hot dog vendors, the teammates, the coach, the bullpen.

You blame the outfielder. Why? Because it is the outfielders job to catch 100% of the balls. Reasonable or not.

Now there is some leeway. Maybe 900 out of every 1,000 balls hit to him are caught. Maybe the league average is 850 out of every 1,000.

But what happens when he starts catching 750 out of every 1,000? Or how about 500 out of every 1,000. How about 250 out of every 1,000? Sure, not everyone may be totally in his control, but when do you say enough is enough and pull him?

What I'm saying is, our outfield seems to be dropping a lot of balls. I'll give him a few for the sun in the eyes or a strange gust of wind, but other than that, I want to make sure our outfielder is hustling and running as fast as he can to every single ball hit to the outfield.

Let us all bow our heads to the awesome most powerful keeper of knowledge and truth.......GAMMA ZETA........may GAMMA ZETA have mercy on our souls:rolleyes:

FINALLY, at least some of you see the light!!!

Now, now. No need for mercy on your souls, that is God's job....

but if you want, I'll put a good word in for ya.

Let's emphasize the GOD part a little more because you sure act like your GOD of Greekchat (omnipotent, mistake-free, etc....., in short the 'characteristics' of GOD):eek:

But hey, I can honestly say I enjoy keeping an eye on these threads, it is highly entertaining, and if done light-heartedly (like me and GZ) can be quite fun at times:cool:

But on a serious note, some of you new guys may not know, but our HQ was pretty f*$#ed up a few years ago. Not going to go into details, but from what many of the members on here have told me, we're still lucky we refer to ourselves as Lambda Chi's and that we're not paying $5,000 in dues per semester to belong. Most would agree it is getting better, and I somewhat agree.

My POINT is: WHEN do we realize we have a problem and WHAT do we do about it?

If we don't start drawing a line in the sand and know our boundaries when it comes to recognizing our problems, we WILL NOT be around in another decade.

To be honest, who gives a shit. I remember when we had regional reps in charge of like 12 regions and it didn't work. My chapters rep was a guy named Bo Jack Barney in dallas, I think he was in charge of all Texas chapters, and he would bitch and complain and we still didn't give a shit. The system with ELC's is the same, they would come in and visit our chapter and we would put up an act like we were a Grand High Alpha chapter and he would leave. My chapter has never really ever had local alumni involvement, and I'm sure this would help because we would see them more often than once a semester. I don't think its IHQ job to be a constant watch dog. Obviously the system isn't perfect but it works, we still have over 200 chapters, and fortunately my chapter has made it past the cut.

As GammaZeta pointed out, at one time in the passed years, LXA was in very bad straits financially. It then has a trickle down theory. Lack of money is a death knell as so it would seem.

But remember, these are a lot of people who are paid a lot less than they could make in the open market. The Grand High Zeta are not on the payroll and still do a trmendous amount of work for Us-LXA.

The ELC program has many members over the years and I beleive usually they last about 2 years and move on. Some may not have been as good as others, but they too were on a mission.

They visited chapters and worked with them. If they found problems, they tried to point them outwork with them and reported to IHQ. If the chapter did not follow the suggestions and carried on as usual after they left then, whose fault is that?

No one at IHQ should have to be a baby sitter as the members are supposed to be adults of sorts.

There is no simple answer to be found anywhere.

But at this point in time, the New Executive staff have turned things around by making hard decisions. We are now in a financial plus for the first time in a very long time.

I have worked with them and they are nothing but devoted Brothers (What I said, Brothers), who are working hard to get everything on not only an even keel, but in a much more comforable possition.

Honky made an excellent point about Alums. The Undergrads are our future base and they will them become Alums.

It takes: 1-2-3-4 Alums who can be a base in working with their local Zeta to advise and work with them. It is also a needed thing for the High Rho to be strong in working with Alums to keep them interested and working with their Zeta. Is it easy, hell no. Ask any Alum on GC!

Ask any Alum on GC who work with their Zetas and see what they have done.

Many on here that I should mention are :

docroc, Ottor, jono, LXAAlum, lifesaver, JoinerLXA, john1082, myself and many others.