Substance free- an important clarification

[nittanyalum]

Ok, now I'm crashing. First, I'm really enjoying following your conversation, this is a great thread.

But what I really wanted to say is, good lord, EE-BO, you haven't been out of college for even 10 years? I hope you don't take this the wrong way because I mean it in a good way, but from reading your posts, I thought you were older (perhaps even a few years older than me - eek!). I'm even more impressed with your very well-thought-out and presented posts, then. I don't always agree with you, but I always enjoy reading your posts. Kudos!

[ECUJacob]

I never thought I'd say this, but I'm afraid that I have to side with Coramoor (and EE-BO) on this one.

Although I agree that the chapter house should be a place of respect and reverence where it is due (ritual), it also the home and place of comfort for the residents. If a brother is of the legal age (21 years old) to purchase and consume alcohol, then it should be his right to do so. I will, however, stress that it will be important for the chapter's culture to be one of vigilance and action should someone's behavior get out of hand. Our goal is teach our young men how to be responsible adults. How can you do that if you prevent them from experiencing or being shown how to do that?

[ECUJacob]

Coercion? Coramoor, can you explain that a little bit further?

To coerce: 1) to restrain or dominate by force, 2) to compel to an act or choice, 3) to achieve by force or threat.

[Oldest_Pledge]

Originally Posted by ECUJacob

Coercion? Coramoor, can you explain that a little bit further?

To coerce: 1) to restrain or dominate by force, 2) to compel to an act or choice, 3) to achieve by force or threat.

From what I have read here, I would take it to mean the "you will be MoP or no longer be a chapter" attitude used on those chapters that have had problems, issues etc...(real or perceived) and faced reorganization.

But this is just my opinion.

[EE-BO]

The issue has been how certain chapters were disciplined relative to the severity of their misdoings.

While it has been interpreted as an MPI vs non-MPI dividing line, the real dividing line has been how Miami of Ohio has been treated compared to all other Beta chapters. And while they have been kept going, I think it also safe to say the stipulations and scrutiny they have faced in the past decade has been far beyond what any other Beta chapter has endured. So in the grand scheme of things it is hard to say they have gotten a "pass" since in many ways they have not.

This is all moot now of course since all chapters operate under the same expectations.

And to be fair I have to give Beta some credit for how the transition was handled. Unlike many NPC fraternities- Phi Delt and Lamba Chi being prime examples- every Beta chapter was given the chance to operate "as normal" with MPI partnership and recolonization only coming into effect if an incident indicated it should happen.

The good news for most chapters- including some of us southern folk- is that how we operate means we are in good shape. I certainly know this applies at Texas.

But there is no doubt that there has been much ambiguity about expectations and enforcement. That I do have an issue with. Even though my chapter has run clean and well for over 120 years with no shut downs or other issues, on principle I do wish there had been clearer guidance and enforcement from Oxford during that 10 year period when there were essentially two tiers of operational rules for chapters.

[Oldest_Pledge]

Originally Posted by EE-BO

The issue has been how certain chapters were disciplined relative to the severity of their misdoings.

While it has been interpreted as an MPI vs non-MPI dividing line, the real dividing line has been how Miami of Ohio has been treated compared to all other Beta chapters. And while they have been kept going, I think it also safe to say the stipulations and scrutiny they have faced in the past decade has been far beyond what any other Beta chapter has endured. So in the grand scheme of things it is hard to say they have gotten a "pass" since in many ways they have not.

This is all moot now of course since all chapters operate under the same expectations.

And to be fair I have to give Beta some credit for how the transition was handled. Unlike many NPC fraternities- Phi Delt and Lamba Chi being prime examples- every Beta chapter was given the chance to operate "as normal" with MPI partnership and recolonization only coming into effect if an incident indicated it should happen.

The good news for most chapters- including some of us southern folk- is that how we operate means we are in good shape. I certainly know this applies at Texas.

But there is no doubt that there has been much ambiguity about expectations and enforcement. That I do have an issue with. Even though my chapter has run clean and well for over 120 years with no shut downs or other issues, on principle I do wish there had been clearer guidance and enforcement from Oxford during that 10 year period when there were essentially two tiers of operational rules for chapters.

Well said. I think your last sentence sums it up perfectly. Add to that some ambiguity regarding zero tolorence for substance-abuse or use (legal use by legal citizens) and I think it is covered.