Crackdown: Underage Drinking Arrests at Ball State (Lambda Chi Alpha party)

[msn4med1975]

Honestly the Police Yourself campaign was WIDELY touted. It wasn't like this was a surprise to anyone especially those attending or having parties close to campus. The two incidents mentioned did spark this but as someone who teaches as part of my assistantship I can tell you that students, who I know to be underage, come to my class drunk or hungover or high routinely. I teach at 11 and 1 MWF so there's no real excuse as to why someone should be drunk in my class.

Yes the fraternity party got busted but so have people walking home from various bars and parties that appeared to be drunk. A lot of parents are scared and they wanted the university to do something so they have. Even if it's more than some would like they are going into prevent mode and are acting in what may be perceived in an extreme manner. Is there an alternative? Probably, but considering how close we are to the end of the spring semester folks are just going to have to adjust until they leave for the summer.

[Tom Earp]

So there it is!

What if Ball State Became a Ghost College?

I used to tell New Recruits just coming on the Steet, the greatest weapon you have is not (Then 357 Magnum)(Today is a 40 Glock) but the thing between your ears and below you nose! Use it!

Whether is is LXA or anyother Greek Organization, it tells me that there is a real problem in that town! Notice, I did not call it a City, there is a difference and it just aint the Population!

There are many Schools across the country where Townie and College Kids have problems and who do you think the Town Stalwarts will back!

Am I concerned that it is My Fraternity, Hell Yess, but I also wonder about the rest of the Greek Community/ Remember Alfred U. In NY? No Greeks there what so ever!

[Rudey]

Sad.

-Rudey

[DigitalAngel126]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
Remember Alfred U. In NY? No Greeks there what so ever!

Definately remember that. Good friend of mine as a DZ there. No greek life there any more to speak of, and last I heard they weren't sure of pressing charges agains ZBT (still).

[boz130]

Since I've never been to Muncie, I can only go by what I've read in the newspaper accounts on the incident. However, as an LCA alum serving on the board of two alumni assns. (my alma mater, Illinois State, & Northwestern), I can honestly say that local governments have had a lot of reasons to "go overboard".

Many towns/cities/villages/burgs/etc. have enacted strict "historic district" rules that are ostensibly designed to prevent teardowns, remodeling that wouldn't conform to the way the rest of the area looks, etc.

Since some campuses have their fraternity/sorority rows in these areas, they're already being looked at w/a lot more scrutiny because they reside near these homes. When we screw up next door to a city council member, it gets noticed.

Perhaps that's why some schools are looking into the "Greek Village" concept to move everybody off campus/away from the townies...they would probably like to get rid of us, but the development office knows how much of their support comes from people that wear those funny-looking letters, so they back off.

Whether it's an LCA chapter, or TKE, SigEp, DZ, Tri-Delt or ANY GLO, we all took a vow when we joined that said we would do our best to behave in an honorable manner and hold ourselves to a higher standard. Many chapters and their members do just that, and they s/b commended.

However, at some point there's a disconnect between good intentions (such as raising funds @ LCA/BSU) and the way it's being done. Since most of us weren't in attendance, it's hard to say what level of involvement the chapter has w/their alumni.

Do they have mentors to help the officers make decisions (an alumni advisory board)? Do the alums just show up at Homecoming and expect to get blasted like they used to "back in the day"? If that's the case, it's no wonder these damned stereotypes persist.

The sad thing is that many chapters don't have enough alumni/ae support to act as the role models for the actives. From speaking w/people in the AFA & NIC I know that this is something that affects many chapters of each GLO.

Granted, we're not the ones who put the drinks in their hands and tell the actives to do something really stupid...they made those decisions on their own, and will probably have consequences to face as a result of their actions.

Bottom line: call a friend from your days in school and make a road trip to campus. Check out the house...meet the officers...ask questions (hey, it's YOUR house, too)...join the alumni/ae association, or start one if none exists...become involved. It may not help, but it definitely can't hurt.

Fraternally,
Bill Foltz
Illinois State '77

[BSUPhiSig'92]

I can't speak anymore about the current state of alumni involvement in LXA at Ball State, since I graduated from there twelve years ago (LXA is our next-door neighbor). They used to have a lot of alumni involvement though.
The area where the fraternities/sororities are is mostly student housing definitely not a historic preservation district. "Student ghetto" was a term I heard used a few times to describe it.

[madmax]

Originally posted by DigitalAngel126
Definately remember that. Good friend of mine as a DZ there. No greek life there any more to speak of, and last I heard they weren't sure of pressing charges agains ZBT (still).

The members were charged with assault. The kids death was eventually ruled a suicide.

[DigitalAngel126]

Originally posted by madmax
The members were charged with assault. The kids death was eventually ruled a suicide.

Thanks for the update, I was curious!

[DigitalAngel126]

Originally posted by BSUPhiSig'92

The area where the fraternities/sororities are is mostly student housing definitely not a historic preservation district.

DEFINATELY not!! With the exception being the Theta Xi house.

"Student ghetto" was a term I heard used a few times to describe it.

Really?? Perhaps I wasn't there long enough, but I'd NEVER heard this. Besides, it's not bad - - Especially with houses like D Chi, Sigma Chi, Beta, etc... Guess Riverside just never struck me as "Ghetto".

[BSUPhiSig'92]

Not "ghetto" in the traditional sense of the word, but definitely not highly-desirable residential neighborhoods. I heard the term used by locals for the entire Riverside-Normal City area that is dominated by student housing. On some campuses, chapter houses are right in the middle of affluent neighborhoods. Imagine if fraternity row were in the middle of Westwood (I think that's the name of the addition) just to the west of TC and the T-Com buildings. Plus the Theta Xi house isn't a historic landmark. Only the old Sigma Tau Gamma house (designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and quite beautiful in its day), and the whole neighborhood isn't even close to getting the status.

[DigitalAngel126]

PM'd ya!

ETA: That'd be nuts if "Frat Row" was in Westwood!!! Talk about nice houses... I don't think the Uiversity Prez would want to live amongst them though.

Originally posted by BSUPhiSig'92
Not "ghetto" in the traditional sense of the word, but definitely not highly-desirable residential neighborhoods. I heard the term used by locals for the entire Riverside-Normal City area that is dominated by student housing. On some campuses, chapter houses are right in the middle of affluent neighborhoods. Imagine if fraternity row were in the middle of Westwood (I think that's the name of the addition) just to the west of TC and the T-Com buildings. Plus the Theta Xi house isn't a historic landmark. Only the old Sigma Tau Gamma house (designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and quite beautiful in its day), and the whole neighborhood isn't even close to getting the status.

[exlurker]

CBS affiliate WISH reports that the Ball State Lambda Chi chapter will remain on campus under conditions negotiated by the university, LXA nationals, and the chapter.

Story:

http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.a...5&nav=ORa7MBtT

Among the requirements --

alcohol free

operate under alumni board control starting immediately

membership review by alumni

social probation through May 2005

required community service and educational programming

[AGDee]

That sounds like a fair resolution between all the involved parties (no pun intended!).

I suppose the other fraternities will be more careful now too.

Dee

[Tom Earp]

exlurker, thanks for posting this!

Some of the things still sounded a little fishy, byut at least it is put to bed now!

[Rudey]

Originally posted by exlurker
CBS affiliate WISH reports that the Ball State Lambda Chi chapter will remain on campus under conditions negotiated by the university, LXA nationals, and the chapter.

Story:

http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.a...5&nav=ORa7MBtT

Among the requirements --

alcohol free

operate under alumni board control starting immediately

membership review by alumni

social probation through May 2005

required community service and educational programming

So the alumni have a voice and the chapter gets to do community service and those become punishments?

I only see the social probation with being alcohol free as the punishments.

-Rudey