Auburn student in ICU after fight at fraternity

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by TonyBromo

On a separate note, if its found that the fraternity and member in question are not at fault, or even that it is the plaintiff who is at fault, will the chapter have the opportunity to counter-sue for punitive damages?

Probably not.

Theoretically, I could say "It could happen," but once these cases are dropped, they're dropped. More than likely, if the plaintiff here thinks he has a dog of a case, he settles for nuisance money (they call it an undisclosed sum) and the thing goes away.

As for getting BMP forced upon them, I'd by lying if I said I knew how that worked.

[TonyBromo]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Probably not.

Theoretically, I could say "It could happen," but once these cases are dropped, they're dropped. More than likely, if the plaintiff here thinks he has a dog of a case, he settles for nuisance money (they call it an undisclosed sum) and the thing goes away.

As for getting BMP forced upon them, I'd by lying if I said I knew how that worked.

nationals has essentially a zero tolerance policy for any traditional chapter, they will use any excuse possible to force a chapter to convert to the balanced man program. if a chapter doesn't seem willing to make the change they simply do a "review" of the chapter in which they cleanse any members that wouldn't support the bmp.

It may seem wrong to bash our own nationals on our public forum but they deserve it. The dialogue has been going on within the fraternity for quite some time and it seems like they've won. Sadly, if (and when) they see that the bmp is a flawed idea it will likely have already ruined the fraternity.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by TonyBromo

it will likely have already ruined the fraternity.

I don't know. It will certainly have fundamentally changed the character of Sig Ep. If that's what you mean by 'ruin,' then fair enough. I think fraternities are looking at national programming like BMP (as an extreme example) to replace traditional pledging. This is not done because your national is on some sort of a power trip. I think that they think that this sort of thing is crucial for the preservation of your fraternity.

Most everyone has some sort of national programming now. Sigma Nu has LEAD (which is a bit more open-ended as far as I can tell), ATO has something Pike has something... I'm pretty sure everyone does. The reason for that programming is all the same -- replace pledging with more benign, but hopefully still meaningful activities. The goal? To limit the liability and exposure of the national fraternity and the individual chapter to negligence suits, hazing charges, etc.

I'm not sure whether it's worth it. I guess time will tell.

[BadCat25]

TonyBromo
Does "any excuse possible" include a pledge ending up in the emergency room?

[TonyBromo]

If you're referring to Alabama, then yes of course nationals needs to look into that and then take any actions deemed necessary.

But I was talking about the situation at Auburn and the idea that nationals would try to force the BMP on the chapter after 1 member was involved in a parking lot fight, the details of which are unknown. If that was the case, it would be an example of nationals far over-stepping their boundaries.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by TonyBromo

If you're referring to Alabama, then yes of course nationals needs to look into that and then take any actions deemed necessary.

But I was talking about the situation at Auburn and the idea that nationals would try to force the BMP on the chapter after 1 member was involved in a parking lot fight, the details of which are unknown. If that was the case, it would be an example of nationals far over-stepping their boundaries.

What boundaries does an HQ really have though?

The prospect of reduced donations form alums of a particular chapter?

[RU OX Alum]

Originally Posted by Kevin

What boundaries does an HQ really have though?

The prospect of reduced donations form alums of a particular chapter?

The prospect of not any chapters at all. Or rather, having a limited number thereof.

I would say that most HQ's have way more power than is due, or that they're really even worth for the chapter. They pretty much just exist to buy insurance.