[Kevin]

What you're all saying is that undergrads are the problems here. Often (and I'd even venture to say most of the time) the true fault lies with local alums.

Your local alums went through in the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's or what have you... They were at the time under a different set of rules, a different culture. Some of them (Dr's and lawyers they may be) do not have a very firm grasp of the current culture and climate in the Greek Life world.

IHQ's, HQ's and such need to be proactive and offer training to the alums that are active locally and not just assume that these folks (as good intentioned as they may be) know what's best for the chapter.

I've actually seen the alums of a chapter totally turn it around. One of our chapters here in Oklahoma a few years back was in a really bad place. They had some serious allegations that could have meant losing their charter that they've had since 1909.

The local alums were able to come in and totally turn things around, saving the chapter. I leave out the details because they are unimportant.

I've seen it the other way as well. A local chapter of a national NIC fraternity (that shall remain unnamed) is now no longer recognized by the University (but still functioning) due to the fact that their alums actually condoned the fact that they had a 14 year old girl serving beer from a keg, in their house at a philanthropy for MDA. The chapter (and I can only assume this was a course of action approved by their alums) carried out a PR war against the University and IFC in the school's newspaper saying that their punishment was overdone and the event was blown out of proportion... etc... their 1.8 house GPA not their fault... etc..

Alums, it goes both ways. Collegiate chapters need their freedom. They do not need alums stepping on their toes whenever they try to do something. But they do need good advice and when necessary a guiding hand pointing them in the right direction. A lot of your chapter closings could have been prevented by proactive and informed local alums.

LHT
Kevin
MT #5
University of Central Oklahoma