Beta Thata Pi closes at Texas

[EE-BO]

PS- I am going to consult others for their thoughts, but might move this to the Beta forum or another spot. This was a logical spot for the OP to start the thread, but there was not a hazing or RM incident involved here- and I just want to avoid any associations along those lines. Or maybe I am too close to the situation and overly sensitive about it. Either way, if it moves, that is the reason. I am all for an open discussion on this and will answer any questions anyone might have which are on topic and appropriate. Much can be learned from this situation at a time when many chapters are suffering financially.

[oldu]

Thank you for a such a clear explanation as to what has happened with fraternities (and to some extent sororities) at Texas. It is almost a mirror description of many Big Ten universities today. I have a 1960s yearbook from Texas and it is hearbreaking to see the huge number of large and well-housed fraternities that are today either closed or a skeleton of what they once were. Check out the situation at Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Minnesota, etc. and you will see exactly the same thing. I hope you are correct about the future -- I'm not so optimstic. Thanks again for the report.

[EE-BO]

Originally Posted by oldu

Thank you for a such a clear explanation as to what has happened with fraternities (and to some extent sororities) at Texas. It is almost a mirror description of many Big Ten universities today. I have a 1960s yearbook from Texas and it is hearbreaking to see the huge number of large and well-housed fraternities that are today either closed or a skeleton of what they once were. Check out the situation at Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Minnesota, etc. and you will see exactly the same thing. I hope you are correct about the future -- I'm not so optimstic. Thanks again for the report.

With regards to the other campuses you mention, is it a pure real estate play or do you think long term RM issues also played a role in terms of making it hard for chapters to keep a single property in hand for decades and sustain it financially?

[oldu]

I think there are a myriad of reasons for the downfall of fraternities at these large and prestigious institutions. Much of it is our own fault, but more of it the University's policies. However, now that we are where we are today it is almost prohibitive for any group to create competitive housing at any of these high cost locations, and therefore to return and be successful. That is why I am not very encouraged about the future viability of fraternities at these prominent schools. One by one the strong groups weaken or get in trouble and leave campus, but it rare that a new fraternity comes along and successfully builds to a large and prosperous membership. Of those I am familiar with. thegroups who return are no where near as strong as they were when the existed earlier. You can add Iowa to the earlier list -- the situation there is terrible.