Betas and Phi Delts -- two large, respected and popular national fraternities and members of the fabled "Miami Triad" (both founded at Miami of Ohio, along with Sigma Chi) -- and two chapters in trouble for very serious violations of fraternity rules, university regulations and local laws. Chapters who are taking distinctly different approaches.
The Beta chapters takes a proactive approach toward dealing with its' alleged problems by adopting sanctions and working with local police, the university and the national office.
The Phi Delts take a defensive posture and a beligerent attitute toward the university and in the newspaper. (See articles on this on the Iowa Phi Delts thread) The Chapter Advisor allegedly making potentially unwise comments.
Also, two very different reactions from school administrations. One waiting to see if the chapter and nationals will take the necessary steps to deal with the problems -- the other ready to close down the entire Greek System. Two university administrators with completely different mindsets.
Two public relations nightmares allegedly caused collectively by alcohol, drugs and hazing. Also, two Nationals with simultaneous issues at several schools right now.
So, think about it. Who is doing a better job of preserving its' chapter? Which article is more positive? Which local group is more likely to survive? Think about the number of other chapters who are in trouble at the moment.
How do these things affect the Greek System as a whole with the university administrations, the media and the rest of the country?
Think about it.
Ann Arbor News
December 5, 2001
U-M fraternity to ban alcohol
By AMALIE NASH
Beta Theta Pi, involved in an investigation of a reported sexual
assault, voluntarily adopts policy.
A University of Michigan fraternity accused of hosting an
unregistered party at which two freshmen women reported they might have been drugged and sexually assaulted has decided to adopt an alcohol-free policy, its local chapter announced.
Beta Theta Pi, 604 S. State St., placed itself on social probation
following the Oct. 25 party and said Monday that it will become
alcohol free before the beginning of the winter semester. The local chapter also is working with the national office on long-term
directives or sanctions as a result of the incident, said Mike
Kokkinen, Beta Theta Pi's director of risk management.
"We were waiting for the substance-free policy to become public and then decide whether there's anything in addition that we need to do," said Mary Beth Seiler, director of the Office of Greek Life at U-M. "It's an excellent decision to be substance free and I hope they become a leader on campus for that."
The penalty for throwing an unregistered party would be social
probation, but that wasn't imposed since the chapter took that
initiative on its own, Seiler said.
Meanwhile, Ann Arbor Police continue to investigate the first report of a sexual assault at the house, but the second report has been closed because the woman who reported it did not want to follow through, Sgt. Michael Logghe said.
Both reports involved 18-year-old U-M students who attended the party. The first report was taken Oct. 26 when a woman went to the hospital and said she may have been sexually assaulted, police said. That case will eventually be turned over to the county prosecutor's office for review, Logghe said.
A second woman came to the police department the following week and told detectives a similar story. She told police that she did not want to pursue it further, Logghe said. Police did not find any evidence of anyone being drugged at the party, officials said.
In a formal statement, the local office said Beta Theta Pi regrets
the violation of the social policy. It said its members made the
decision to adopt alcohol-free living.
"Regardless of the outcome of this continuing investigation, we
apologize to the rest of the Greek community and to the university community as a whole," the statement said. "Š we intend to learn from what happened and commit to the rededication of our founding principles."
__________________________________________________ ______________________
__________________________________________________ ______________________
Message: 2
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 13:33:02 -0800
From: "Jennifer Wright" <jmwrigh2@uiuc.edu>
Subject: Re: National chapter sanctions Phi Delta Theta fraternity
Looks like Phi Delts around the country get a slap on the wrist for hazing.
----- Original Message -----
From: Fraternity/Sorority Newsclips <doug.case@sdsu.edu>
To: <afanewsclips@yahoogroups.com>; <fraternalnews@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2001 11:31 PM
Subject: [fraternalnews] National chapter sanctions Phi Delta Theta
fraternity
Associated Press
December 6, 2001
National chapter sanctions Phi Delta Theta fraternity
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- A University of Iowa fraternity has been placed on probation by its national leadership as university officials and police investigate hazing allegations.
Oxford, Ohio-based Phi Delta Theta handed down the probation and a dozen other sanctions including a $1,000 payment to the national organization and increased restrictions on the fraternity house. The restrictions are to remain in place through the end of 2002.
Iowa City Police launched an investigation after receiving a
complaint from a former member Friday, which alleges multiple
occasions of forced binge drinking, accusations of verbal and
physical abuse, sleep and food deprivation and claims that some members encouraged pledges to smoke marijuana.
Fraternity officials deny most of the allegations, admitting only to voluntary alcohol use and possible underage drinking.
Phi Delta Theta instituted a no-alcohol policy at all its houses in
February 1997.
Marc Mores, national director of charter services, has said some
activities during the 2000-2001 school year could be considered
hazing, but no recent incidents have been confirmed.
The house has 46 active members and 16 pledges.
University officials said they will finalize their investigation and
decide on whether to take independent action against the fraternity by Monday.
The sanctions require the local chapter to develop a written,
eight-week pledge program, go on a "brotherhood retreat" with
national leadership early next year and have 85 percent of its
membership watch an alcohol education video.
Alcohol is banned from all pledge activities, and an ongoing
restriction prohibiting pledges from being in the house remains in place. All social events are canceled for the remainder of the year.
Threaded Mode