Alpha Chapter Woes

[ECUJacob]

Orginally, I wasn't going to get too involved with this, but after reading the updated blog I felt the desire.

Based on the blog, there were three "Beta houses": the official, "The Fratican", and "The Slippery Slope".

...“The Fratican”, was an immediate red flag to certain individuals who believed it would be a detriment to the alcohol and substance-free Chapter House.

So obviously the chapter (or at least some members) observed the fact that this house would promote a lack of risk management and/or contribute to illegal actions.

at which point they assured the chapter that the keg was not even in use…it was being used as a stool to sit on (and they encouraged any administrator to check the expiration date on the keg itself).

It doesn't matter what the keg was being used for. You should have more common sense and choose not to place alcohol paraphenalia in plain sight of your advisors and Administrative Officers.

In a matter of a week, this proposal was struck down by the AO which proceeded to go over the top of our attempt at self-governance and place a punishment of six weeks social probation, barring the entire chapter from any social activities with other fraternities and sororities during that period.

You must realize that although you are given to the right and opportunity to govern yourselves, the AO (and it's representatives) are required to step in to prevent serious harm or worse to chapter members.

many men in the chapter arranged for a party at The Slippery Slope, so that the fraternity may rejoice in the accomplishment of bringing in another promising pledge class.

Beta Theta Pi requires us to have "dry" Rush. Until those members are inducted, they are considered rushees/bidees and should not have been placed in a situation involving alcohol with the chapter. It doesn't matter that you had a "social monitor"

According to those present, C.B. and M.O. were “manning the beer tower” and encouraging certain individuals in the room to drink, including the soon-to-be pledge. This young man, who was to be inducted into the latest pledge class of the Alpha Chapter, proceeded to vomit following his drinking from the beer tower.

So, basically your chapter members were strongly encouraging a rushee to drink... and he vomited afterwards. Once again, yet another example of bad judgement.

Apparently, an individual in the chapter who felt there was a serious infraction at the party, went straight to our advisory team/AO to notify them of a crisis in the chapter that was unapparent to most of its members. This person, who is still unknown, went above the chapter’s governance and his ability to personally hold his brother accountable for the alleged action, and instead went to an external body whose job it is NOT to govern our chapter.

I do agree that the person should've at least spoken to this chapter members first. However, given the attitude and tone of this blog, I would not be suprised if some members did not feel comfortable doing so.

The widespread ignorance in the chapter of the fact that there was any problem at all with the current state of affairs sent things to a boiling point.

Your chapter should be COMMUNICATING. That is not the fault of the AO.

However, one of the most absurd things that could not be ignored by those voting on the hazing incident was the fact that those prospective betas who were “hazed” were not even aware they were a part of a hazing incident or any event that caused them serious discomfort, and continue to be equally unaware that they were a part of the issue that is causing serious turmoil in our great chapter.

I person's knowledge or acceptance of a hazing situation does not change the definition of the word.

Now, after all that, I must say that from what I've read, the AO could've done a much better job of communication and documenting the reasons for their actions. If I were ever part of a chapte reorg, I would want concrete facts and reasons for being removed or placed on a different status. However, since I was not present for their discussions, I can't assume to know what they were thinking.

In the end, I hope that the chapter and its members as a whole can move forward in a positive way.