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We didn't, but did
Our chapter received its charter in Dec 94. I pledged in the Spring of 98, which was a high point of the chapter up to that point. The prior years were marked with steady progress, but by 98, we were on the verge of excellence. Then, a brother (my pledge educator in fact) created a rift in the chapter by doing some illegal activities that I will not speak of on this site. Needless to say, the chapter fell apart internally and externally.
However, a few of the remaining actives really got their acts together and rebuilt the chapter over a two year period. This meant eliminating hazing that had crept into the chapter, focusing on recruitment, eliminating debt, improving reporting and alumni relations, you name it, we did it. We experienced what we called the "5 Year Lull". Basically, you've got your charter, things are going along fine, and then bam, apathy takes over. But it can be erradicated.
Now, my chapter is back on top, but for how long. We just won our second straight Smythe Award (highest Pike honor), and this year we also won the Scholarship Cup (highest GPA) and the Pledge Education Award. But, I just found out yesterday that even all of these accomplishments need to be put into perspective. We have brothers who are resigning from the fraternity, as well as a debt that is coming back, a record-low freshman class to recruit from, and plenty more problem. Maybe now we are going through a "10 Year Lull."
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