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Decorum Toward Brothers
Brothers,
I couldn't resist responding to the original C&C post about Brother Cleland. I explained my thinking there so no need to repeat it here.
I served many years as High Pi for Zeta Upsilon Zeta. In looking back on those years I think that most undergraduates had a hard time disciplining or reprimanding their Brothers. Of course, it was less difficult for some officers than others to enforce the rules.
In every serious case, like drug involvement, action was swift and final. But in other situations (like Brothers not paying their bills or not getting along with others) the response from the Executive Committee or Chapter Officers was usually slow and mild. Second chances, third chances, apologies, payment plans, and so forth characterized their responses to the behavior of these "wayward" Brothers. Of course, the "wayward" Brothers always had money for party favors, the formal dance, and a trip to Florida for Spring Break!
Nobody was ever evicted for not paying their dues or room and board. I can't think of a single man who was expelled from our Chapter for any reason. Some were "booted" out... but I don't remember any formal expulsions.
On a couple of occasions I made a point of making the guys who didn't pay very uncomfortable by calling their parents for the money. By the way, the parents usually said that they sent their son the money to pay the bills! I also "threw out" a few guys who tried to attend parties or other chapter functions after they were told to stay away.
Many times the harmony and proper functioning of the Chapter were affected by the negative attitude, poor behavior, and irresponsible conduct of a few men.
I concluded that it is very difficult for peers in a fraternal relationship to discipline one another except in the most extreme cases.
Yours in ZAX,
Mike R.
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