Pikes at Michigan display complete lack of class and more

[PiKA2001]

So I get on FB and see a message that Beta Tau chapter was placed on indefinite suspension by IHQ earlier today. I didn't hear about this until, like right now. From reading that email it seems to me that whoever wrote it was striving for "fratire", especially with the butt-chugging references and the over all ridiculousness of it. Personally, I don't find it offensive and this wouldn't have gone anywhere while I was an undergrad but it just drives home the fact that chapters need to remember that social media sees all...

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Personally, I don't find it offensive and this wouldn't have gone anywhere while I was an undergrad but it just drives home the fact that chapters need to remember that social media sees all...

And that when social media sees all, the audience becomes far bigger than the intended audience, so you may have gone well beyond the group that will get an intended joke.

I'm not at all unfamiliar with fratire, but it completely went over my head in this instance if that's what was intended. That well may because I saw the pictures first, and I did find them offensive.* That probably colored how I read the email.



* Others' mileage on whether the pictures in and of themselves are offensive may vary, of course. I'm that guy who every four years wishes the US Olympic Committee would instruct athletes that is not appropriate to drape the flag around their shoulders for a vistory lap.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Why? I'm really curious as to what you see here that is a shut down-able offense.

Hazing, alcohol abuse, possible butt chugging, etc.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

I didn't hear about this until, like right now. From reading that email it seems to me that whoever wrote it was striving for "fratire", especially with the butt-chugging references and the over all ridiculousness of it. Personally, I don't find it offensive and this wouldn't have gone anywhere while I was an undergrad but it just drives home the fact that chapters need to remember that social media sees all...

That's kind of where I'm headed. This just hits too many ripped from the headlines notes of idiocy to be real.

My guess is that the chapter will be fine, but will probably be advised to adopt a more stringent social media policy.

As for the use of the American flag, well...

[MysticCat]

^^^ LOL, not helping the case for me, Kevin.

What can I say -- I'm the Eagle Scout son of a WWII vet/Scoutmaster. This offends me as well:

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Hazing, alcohol abuse, possible butt chugging, etc.

Got it. I didn't read it as though those things were actually happening, but yes, you are right.

[SWTXBelle]

Don't get me started on violations of the flag code . . . drives me crazy. The Texas flag, alas, is the victim of many crimes against its dignity.

[PhiAlpha05]

Yup, Nationals suspended them: http://www.annarbor.com/news/fratern...leaked-online/

[PiKA2001]

From IHQ-

The International Fraternity believes in and respects the right to Freedom of Expression, even if such expression is meant satirically or in jest. While the photos have garnered significant attention and may be offensive to some, the Fraternity’s primary concern lies in the reference to hazing and alcohol abuse – both of which are issues that have negatively affected Pi Kappa Alpha along with many other student organizations.

The suspension of operations is on an interim basis. The Chapter has already issued an apology and once an educational plan of action is proposed, the suspension will be lifted. The Fraternity hopes to take this opportunity to turn this incident into a teaching moment.

[shadokat]

I'm with you...this isn't as horrific as many make it out to be. It's meant to be tongue in cheek and satire. The pictures of the guys in the flags doesn't bother me...because we see shit like this all the time, and nobody cares!





But maybe the education program can include the Flag Code: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Got it. I didn't read it as though those things were actually happening, but yes, you are right.

[SWTXBelle]

I'm Nobody! Who are you?
Are you – Nobody – too?
Then there's a pair of us!
Don't tell! they'd advertise – you know!

How dreary – to be – Somebody!
How public – like a Frog –
To tell one's name – the livelong June –
To an admiring Bog!

[ZTA1550]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Yikes. Somehow I missed that gem.

I know Pike HQ must be less than pleased, to put it mildly. But if my son pulled something like this, HQ would not be what he'd need to worry about most.

Amen to that.

[MysticCat]

Thanks, Belle, and well done with the Belle of Amherst!

Yes, we see it all the time. But there are actually lots of people who care.

To be clear, there is a difference between clothing that includes red and white stripes and white stars on blue in such a way as to suggest or recall the American flag:







and actually using a flag as clothing or costume or wrapping oneself in a flag. The former isn't prohibited under the Flag Code; the latter is.

Whether it's tasteful can, of course, be whole 'nother matter.