UNH fraternity suspended by national organization

[Angels&Arrows]

This was in the Boston Globe today:

How in the world do you get behind $25,000.00 in dues to your nationals?

By Associated Press, 8/30/2002 08:27
DURHAM, N.H. (AP) One of the oldest fraternities at the University of New Hampshire has been suspended by its national organization.

The national organization of Lambda Chi Alpha took the action because the local chapter has failed to pay $25,000 in dues.

In turn, the university has withdrawn recognition of the 84-year-old local chapter of the fraternity.

For members, it means they must leave the fraternity house in the first week of September. The number is estimated at between 25 and 40 students.

''They knew it was coming and they were not able to cure the problem,'' said Tom Hemblock, the executive vice president of the national organization. He said the fraternity had been unable to pay off the debt despite help from alumni.

Hemblock said once the charter is suspended, the local fraternity cannot act in the fraternity's behalf or sign a lease in the fraternity's name.

It will take more than paying the $25,000 to restore the membership.

''It's one thing to put the money on the table and another to make sure it wouldn't happen again,'' he said.

The fraternity may also have troubles with the town if its membership is not restored soon.

''Right now the permitted use of that building is as a fraternity,'' said Tom Johnson, Durham's code enforcement officer. He said if that status lapses, the fraternity members will have to go before the town planning board or risk having the building rezoned for office space or another kind of housing.

Members of the fraternity could not be reached.

Sean Kay, president of the UNH Student Senate, said the current president of the local fraternity chapter has made a great effort to set up a payment plan with the national organization.

''I really feel for those guys,'' Kay said. ''This is not a problem that just popped up, but these guys are the ones who have to face it.''

He said the members may have a difficult time finding housing near Durham because of the university's housing crunch.