School may put all houses on probation

[john1082]

As I mentioned in an earlier thread, we've had problems with fighting in and around the fraternities. The instigators seem to be either (a) Disenfrachised members of a house tossed off campus, or, (b) Outsiders.

Our house has "been involved" in a couple of incidents - outsiders showed up on our lawn once and then one of our guys stumbled into something at the SN house (20 drunk former SAEs vs. two SN).

House meetings are SUnday night and afterwards I chat with members of other houses. General feeling on the street is that the administration is getting ready to put al houses on probation regardless of the cause of the incident. Admin supposedly says that after your on probation they can toss your house off for a second violation, however minor.

Steet feeling is that Fullerton would simply like to dispose of the Greek system and that this may be a convinient way of doing so.

Question: Has anyone out there ever heard of a University administration places ALL the houses on probation in this manner?

There are some campus dynamics in the background that I've yet to discover, but expelling students also seems to be part of the plan as well.

Thoughts?

[RACooper]

Well I've heard about it... Univesity of Toronto technically put all the GLOs on probation back in 60-61... and then decided that policing them wasn't worth it and cleaned it's hands of the matter by severing all official ties to all GLOs... ended up wiping out about 2/3rds of all GLO and seriously damaging everyone's image and recruitment.

Depending on what exactly your Student Code of Conduct (or equivilant) lays out, tells you what the Administration could be capable of. Now I have to assume that the school is looking at the situation from a image, security, and future perspective... they have to protect their image to ensure future enrollment and revenue, they are also bound to provide adequate protection to both the school's property and community (students & staff), and finally they have to look at the future impact of the current situation - or what will be easier or more cost effective for them to do? So for them it might not seem like much to boot everyone, assuming that time will erase the stain...

However if you can provide tangible evidence that you (and other GLOs) are not guilty and provide a useful and neccisary function as members of the school community; it would be difficult for the Administration to justify sweeping measures that punish the good along with the bad.

[GammaZeta]

That really sucks, you know, "one bad apple." I would think it would take a really major event for all greeks to be thrown out though. We had the same problem at Umass with some members of a fraternity thrown off campus in the late 90's. They actually kept operating under the fraternity name despite having a court order to cease and desist usage of the name from their HQ.

It all depends on the administration though. If they really want you and everyone else off campus, they'll find a way.

There are many colleges around my area that one day simply outlawed greek organizations. Amherst College comes to mind. (does anyone know/have the history of any LXA at Amherst College, not Umass-Amherst?).

You may want to seriously study your college's by-laws and student organization rules. That is where your answer will be. It will also provide you with the necessary tools to appeal any decision and fight it.

Usually all those by-laws and college rules are written with loopholes that you could drive an 18 wheeler through. Let me know if you need any help.

GZ

[Tom Earp]

Alfred , In NY banned ALL Grek Organizations @ two years ago I beleive for what a Local Fraternity did in a hazing death.

As I understand it, Private Schools can do pretty much what they please with Greeks.

Stated funded Schools seem to have a bigger problem with that as I think it has something to do with state funding.

Someone correct me if I am in error.

I suspect it is time for Greeks to have a serious sit down and discuss this. If each House has offending members they should be made accountable.

If they are not Greeks, then get the police involved showing that Greeks are doing their best to live by the rules.

I know for a fact that my school told LXA and SPhiE to knock off the problems or both would be suspended.

The Alums then stepped in and worked things out.

SPhiE Alums came down and cleaned house to 3 Actives and 1 Pledge.

[JoinerLxa]

It sounds like Fullerton has a real problem there. If the
frats there are worth saving, their IFC should step up
and "nip it in the bud". If the frats imposed severe
punishments on their own members, no matter
"who started it", and they banded together to "patrol"
frat row and report outsider trouble-makers, I think
the school would be well pleased, and the system
might be worth saving.

If any group is unwilling to participate in their own
crackdown and fully cooperate with IFC, then IFC
should ask that the chapter loose its charter.

It sounds harsh, but I think it would end up much better
if the frats tried to behave like young adults and cleared
it up themselves.

But if they can't work together to solve a problem like this
themselves, and are unwilling to step up to the plate, then let them eat cake! (or crow!)