My chapter's charter was pulled in 1996 after a series of disciplinary rulings and excessive debt. At the time, we had 50-plus members, were tops in intramurals, had great campus involvement/leadership, and pretty good community service. However, there was a bunch of "bad apples" that spoiled it for everyone else. These guys were always getting into fights and causing problems with other fraternities or on campus. The issue of the debt was improving, as it had been decreased from over $30,000 to just under $15,000 within a year or so.
However, the final straw was when our president and a group of those bad apples ended up at another fraternity's house one night after one of our sorority socials. Our president, who was pretty drunk for all reports, seemed to lead a charge into this house, kicking in the door and punching out a couple of guys. Because the chapter's leadership had a part in this altercation, the school held the entire chapter liable for the actions of 6 guys, and kicked us off campus.
Shortly after the suspension, our Headquarters reviewed our status and decided to revoke the charter due to the continued behavioral problems and debt. Although it wsa a dark time for the chapter, it probably was the best thing that could have happened to our chapter.
Following the loss of charter, many of the guys formed a local fraternity -- excluding any and all of the previous bad apples -- in an effort to correct the past wrong-doings. This group acted as an underground fraternity (not associated with or calling themselves Pikes), but as a entirely seperate local group for FOUR years until the Pike Headquarters arranged an agreement with the University for recolonization. This local group served as the initial interest group and provided most of the first colony members. After a year as a colony, we were re-chartered.
I think the most important thing is that even when the charter was revoked, our Brothers did not just roll over and die. In fact a group of 15 Brothers made a trip to Charlotte, NC to meet with our Supreme Council to present an appeal to the loss of charter. Even though it was denied, these 15 guys lead the push to re-organize as a new organization and laid the foundation for our chapter to one day return to campus.
And now, our chapter is one of the best on campus - Intramural Champs, over 3,000 hours community service, good grades, SGA president, IFC vice-president, summer orientation leaders, varsity athletes, -- all the things that most fraternities just wish for.
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