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What Happened -Beta Theta Pi at University of Maryland
Almuni received some letters from the General (National HQ), Greek Life Staff at the Univ of Maryland and Local Chapter Advisors as to what happened.
Basically, the chapter in the late 80's was one of two (out of 33 approx fraternities) without a house and as such was not considered "strong". The University has a Fraternity Row (14 houses) and once Beta moved into one, they became a better fraternity.
In the 80's - Maryland (state university) was ranked Top 20 of Playboy's Party Schools. Approx 30,000 undergrads. Over the years the school reduced enrollment (approx 20,000) and as such the standards (GPA, SAT, etc...) to get in got much harder and the caliber of undergrads got higher.
In response to becoming a "better" state university, the University of Maryland created a "Vision" document that governs Greek Life. Every year, each fraternity and sorority has to submit a report (addressing 30 items such as academics, philanthropy, etc..) to be recognized.
In the past 10 years, there have probably been 10 National Fraternities (Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Theta Chi, Tau Epsilon Phi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Phi Sigma Kappa, etc...) that have left the campus for one reason or another. Basically, the University has given fraternities a short leash, and has no problem letting groups go (groups that may have 50-90 years history on campus)... Note: some of the other fraternities at Maryland were kicked off because a kid died from alcohol poisioning (found him asleep/dead on the front porch the next morning, etc... Not the case here.
Beta became a "athletics" house - won the IFC Athletic Cup 10+ years running. It appears they become focused on sports and partying. The culture and attitudes changed and that lead to problems, which the University finally become worried that they were "an accident waiting to happen".
Several incidents. A pledge left the chapter house one evening (drunk from a brother/pledge bonding event), hit a sign, his bumper came off the car, and the ploice found him (presumably from the license plate on the bumper which fell off) in his apt - unconscious on his couch.
Beta got into a fight with members of Lambda Chi Alpha (relatively new on campus) and one guy was hospitialized. His mother called Beta General and threatened to sue. The local chapter never reported the incident.
This past Spring 2006, the chapter did not make the minimal grade point average required by the University.
So, all in all, the University had enough. When the annual review (Vision) came up, they decided to deny recognition for the coming Fall 2006 school year. The fraternity houseBut the alumni support had been tremendous. Beta has been asked to re-colonize in 2 years (where normally the University makes fraternities wait at least 4-5 years before trying to come back).
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