U of Arkansas: Phi Delta Theta Suspended Pending Investigation

[OleMissGlitter]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

And Phi Delt is gone.

Don't have a link, I'm sure there will be one forthcoming. Pulled by nationals, people think.

Wow, were they are big chapter? I know at Ole Miss they are a big chapter and have a long history on campus.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by OleMissGlitter

Wow, were they are big chapter? I know at Ole Miss they are a big chapter and have a long history on campus.

They're no Ole Miss Phi Delt, but they were still prominent.

They had a few big time alumnis, but really were a pretty new fraternity, 1948 I think.

The thing was they had just remodeled their house. But they were 1. b in terms of tiers for example

1.a Kappa Sig
2.a. SAE
3.a. Sigma Chi
1.b Phi Delt.


So they were doing well.

[banditone]

EW, do you think they will rent/lease out the house to another group? or will Sigma Nu buy it and turn it into a gameroom?

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by banditone

EW, do you think they will rent/lease out the house to another group? or will Sigma Nu buy it and turn it into a gameroom?

They likely will but I'm not ACTUALLY sure who owns the house.

The thing is, with the new UofA plans....the University maaaaay own the house or have some sort of power over it. They had an RD living in the house for sure and may have financed some of the remodeling.

Either way, someone will move back in. If Phi Delt has real control over the house...the move-inner would be retarded to actually move in. That's what happened to Sig Ep some time ago. LXA got kicked off and Sig Ep rented from them. But once LXA came back on, Sig Ep was homeless. Phi Delt will be back on, I can certainly count on that. It's sad stuff. Phi Delt was one of the houses I hung out with alot.

And other related sad news, an SAE died yesterday. Word is it was drug related, but I don't know if it was in house or out of house.

[exlurker]

Update: Phi Delta Theta Suspends Charter of U of Arkansas Chapter

See official announcement on the fraternity’s IHQ site:
http://www.phideltatheta.org/index.p...d=941&Itemid=9

“After conducting an investigation in conjunction with the University of Arkansas and local alumni regarding the November 12 incident at the Arkansas Alpha Chapter facility, the General Council of Phi Delta Theta has voted to suspend the charter of Arkansas Alpha for violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policies including alcohol and hazing. This message was delivered to the members of the former undergraduate chapter Wednesday evening by Province President Joe Passanisse, Director of Chapter Services Jacob Kingdon, a group of chapter alumni and Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Danny Pugh at the Reynolds Center Auditorium on campus.

The action of the Phi Delta Theta General Council prohibits the undergraduate men that comprise the former Arkansas Alpha chapter from using the Fraternity name in association with any event or activity, from displaying the name or symbols of the Fraternity, and from continuing any operation, or any resemblance of operations as a Fraternity chapter. Additionally, members of the chapter that were directly involved with the November 12 incident are being considered for further disciplinary action.

“Phi Delta Theta is a values based organization and does not tolerate the illegal and inappropriate behavior demonstrated by these students. Throughout this process we have been encouraged by the support we have received from university officials and local alumni volunteers,” said Bob Biggs, Executive Vice President.

Representatives from Phi Delta Theta will remain on campus for the rest of the week to explore the option of a potential recolonization in the near future. . . . “


Local news coverage appears to be a slight rewrite of the official Phi Delta announcement; see:

http://www.4029tv.com/news/21798132/detail.html

[shadokat]

Just wanted to add this, b/c I saw that a pledge almost died with a BAC of .68!!!!!!! REALLY!?!? How is that person still alive?!?

KHBS/KHOG-TV
Northwest Arkansas
December 3, 2009
http://www.4029tv. com/news/ 21798132/ detail.html

Phi Delta Theta Fraternity Dissolves UA Chapter

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity
announced that it is suspending the charter for the University of Arkansas
chapter of Phi Delta Theta.

Around 200 fraternity members were notified of the decision during a
meeting at the Reynolds Center Auditorium on campus Wednesday night.

After conducting an investigation in conjunction with the University of
Arkansas and local alumni regarding the Nov. 12 incident at the fraternity
house, the fraternity's governing body voted to suspend the UA chapter's
charter for "violations of the Fraternity's risk management policies
including alcohol and hazing."

A freshman pledge nearly died from a blood alcohol content of .68.

"Although the actions taken were the province of the fraternity's
international office, we respect both the decision and the decision-making
process," said university Chancellor David Gearhart.

No current member of the Arkansas Alpha chapter can use the fraternity's
name in association with any event or activity, display the name or symbols
of the fraternity, or continue an operation or semblance of operations as a
Phi Delta Theta chapter, fraternity officials said.

"Decisions such as this are not made easily or taken lightly. As a former
fraternity member myself, I recognize the considerable positive academic
and social impact that Greek organizations can have on the lives of young
men and women. However, we cannot stand idly by when an organization
creates an environment that puts those very lives at risk. Such
organizations must, at all times, exercise social responsibility and caring
for one another," Gearhart said.

While some believe the punishment is fitting, others believe it's too harsh.

"I mean, at every fraternity party, things happen. And they shouldn't kick
them off campus because of that," said UA freshman Alex Murphy.

"It's a really sad day. I mean, some things that occurred there at the
house was pretty bad," said UA fraternity member Hamilton Blocker.

For the 55 members who live at the fraternity house, senior associate dean
of students Ashley Tull said they will have to be out by Sunday, and will
be placed in university housing instead.

"We're working to reassign them to residence halls and we have available
space for them," said Tull.

Phi Delta Theta representatives will remain on campus for the rest of the
week to explore the option of starting over and forming a new chapter in
the near future.

Copyright 2009 4029tv.com All rights reserved.

[banditone]

Out of the house by Sunday? Ouch!!!

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by banditone

Out of the house by Sunday? Ouch!!!

Yeah, that sucks especially since it's about to be finals week on Wednesday.

No good. I'll miss those guys.

[Elephant Walk]

A little bit of follow up on this story:

Nationals is moving into their house as well as the current pledges. They won't be able to become a full-blown chapter until their senior years.

Some may see this as a good thing. It is an absolutely terrible idea (as long as they are able to rent the house out to another fraternity...which I believe would be possible). The pledges will have no idea how to rush University of Arkansas fraternity men and the Phi Delt nationals will be a mess, as most nationals are. The reputation will go downhill, which is unfortunate for a fraternity who had a great deal of good reputation.

[DEVODUDE]

Elephant Walk:A little bit of follow up on this story:

Nationals is moving into their house as well as the current pledges. They won't be able to become a full-blown chapter until their senior years.

When you say National is moving into their house, do you mean someone from their National staff or a member(s) of the chapter's Alumni Board/ House Corp.?

Also, if current pledges, by their senior year (probably by 2012/2013) would be able to become a full-blown chapter, what status are they now... a colony working toward re-chartering?

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by DEVODUDE

When you say National is moving into their house, do you mean someone from their National staff or a member(s) of the chapter's Alumni Board/ House Corp.?

From what I understand, it will be someone from their national staff. Or several people. I could be wrong on this, but that's my understanding. Now, I would much prefer the Alumni Board but I don't think that's the case.

Also, if current pledges, by their senior year (probably by 2012/2013) would be able to become a full-blown chapter, what status are they now... a colony working toward re-chartering?

That's my understanding as well, colony working towards recharter.

[DEVODUDE]

Elephant Walk:From what I understand, it will be someone from their national staff. Or several people. I could be wrong on this, but that's my understanding. Now, I would much prefer the Alumni Board but I don't think that's the case.

This could be a positive direction for them (current pledges). They will certainly receive the proper training and guidance needed by professional member(s) of their National to restore their chapter back to it's glory days at UA. I can remember my years serving as expansion/development consultant, I had a similar project to reviving a once large chapter with a long history tied to the University. All you would need is a core base group of talented, good quality men, what I call the "HEART" of the colony, dedicated Alumni, and the support from both the National Staff and Expansion Team, and even sometimes University Adminstrators/Officials, and everything will fall into place.

I wish them the best of luck!!!!!

ZBT:"Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present & Impacting the Future."

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by DEVODUDE

This could be a positive direction for them (current pledges). They will certainly receive the proper training and guidance needed by professional member(s) of their National to restore their chapter back to it's glory days at UA.

Their glory days were right before they got kicked off by Nationals.

I know your line of thinking and I understand it. But there's a combination of three things which make this not good for their recruitment and longstanding tradition of pledging some of the best the University has to offer.

a) The likelihood of the Nationals not being from an SEC school with no understanding of SEC rush and the typical guy the fraternities are looking for. Likewise, not being from the South which could be a shot across the bow to start with. Nationals likes to send their weirdest Yankees whenever they come around, I would be very surprised if they do anything but that.
b) The unfamiliarity with the Rush process on the part of the pledges and not have been completely ingrained in UA fraternity culture.
c) the lack of alcohol as a result of nationals coming. That alone will probably kill their rush of the guys that Phi Delt has been having for quite sometime.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by PsychTau

You pass out around .40, but the majority of alcohol is absorbed in the small intestine, only a small amount is absorbed through the stomach itself. So, you could be fairly drunk, guzzle a fifth of whatever right before passing out, and your BAC will go up about 20-30 minutes later (time not exact) when that fifth hits your small intestine. Which is exactly why you cut people off well before they are staggering, puking, or passing out. You don't really know how much alcohol they have in their stomach waiting to hit that small intestine. That's how people are OK when they are put to bed, and dead the next morning.

PsychTau

Quoted because everyone needs to know this. Thanks.

[Gusteau]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

Their glory days were right before they got kicked off by Nationals.

I know your line of thinking and I understand it. But there's a combination of three things which make this not good for their recruitment and longstanding tradition of pledging some of the best the University has to offer.

a) The likelihood of the Nationals not being from an SEC school with no understanding of SEC rush and the typical guy the fraternities are looking for. Likewise, not being from the South which could be a shot across the bow to start with. Nationals likes to send their weirdest Yankees whenever they come around, I would be very surprised if they do anything but that.
b) The unfamiliarity with the Rush process on the part of the pledges and not have been completely ingrained in UA fraternity culture.
c) the lack of alcohol as a result of nationals coming. That alone will probably kill their rush of the guys that Phi Delt has been having for quite sometime.

LOL

I don't understand why Phi Delt Nationals would retain the pledges. Wouldn't you think they were recruited under the circumstances in point c and would only look to further that in the new colony? It would make more sense from their perspective to clean house completely so they can start from scratch without any memories of the old Phi Delt. Was their some stipulation that they had to retain some members to remain on campus as a colony? And if there was such a stipulation, why wouldn't they pick and choose from both current members and pledges after a series of interviews or something?