U. of Maryland: Chapter De-Recognized (Beta Theta Pi)

[martythemoose]

Yes, since they are not a Men of Principle chapter and had not agreed to change our traditions to take on their new deal, some brothers feel that the HQ may not have tried that hard to keep the chapter active, as well as an awesome house on 6 Fraternity Row. Instead, brothers felt that the HQ used this event as a lever to set their own agenda into motion because changing to MoP is optional for older chapters. Members of the now defunct Beta Theta Pi feel that their strong brotherhood amongst each other and with the alumni of the chapter (who still came to every football tailgate, brotherhood event, and graduation dinner) has been ignored and feel that its a travesty that this bond will not continue on for the younger generations. There are graduates from the mid-1980s who would still come to hang out and talk Beta with the current brothers. A brotherhood tradition built on excellence and thriving on ageless unity discontinued because of envious houses and a seemingly uncaring HQ.

[tallgreekalum]

Thank god my fraternity has resisted this trend of "______ man" or "men of ______" programs that has been happening in the NIC world. We still have a meaningful, tradition-based, non-demeaning new member program(but gie a member full rights after inish) AND do not feel the need to deny 21 yr olds the right to drink in their own homes. If Beta's story is true, then it sounds like they are another victim of political correctness. I know that we had an experience with an SigEp group from W&L that left because they where being forced into their "balanced man" program. We also just affiliated an old chapter of SAE that left over their version of "Man". They are one of the best groups at Duke.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by tallgreekalum

...AND do not feel the need to deny 21 yr olds the right to drink in their own homes.

Only some fraternities at UMD have this policy (and not to mention, ALL sororities). Alpha Tau Omega, for example, agreed for their house to be dry as a condition of recolonization. They happen to be one of the strongest and largest fraternities on campus.

[tallgreekalum]

My point was not about chapters that choose to go "dry",but inter/nationals that force them.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by tallgreekalum

My point was not about chapters that choose to go "dry",but inter/nationals that force them.

While I could not find or locate policy on my old schools web site, IIRC the school is dry. And if not 100% total, very strong limits.

Some times we forget that other organizations we are involved with have their own risk management depts.

[Coramoor]

It will be a cold day in hell before Beta HQ decides to stand up for a chapter. Every year more chapters a closed than are colonized. There are some very questionable people working at the AO.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by Coramoor

It will be a cold day in hell before Beta HQ decides to stand up for a chapter. Every year more chapters a closed than are colonized. There are some very questionable people working at the AO.

Having seen my own chapter close, I can understand your feelings-to a point.

My chapter needed, at the stage they were at, to be closed. They were way beyond "Animal House" in many ways. And not in the fun way at all.

I wish that local, regiional, and National had acted much earlier to save it. And inconverstation, there seems to be a belief on their part that they did act too late....to save it but had no choice but to close it...when they and the school did....

So, in Beta's case is it National or is it the chapters that are turly at fault???????

[UMD Beta Alum]

MartytheMoose (and Kevin)

Interesting points! Seems you have some inside info, Were you an active Beta member? Some of the comments you make are new to me. Alumni heard a different story to some points.

Yes, sounds like the University and Greek Life hung you out to dry in regards to housing. Telling you in June or July and having less then 2 months, is hard.

There have been other postings on this website that seem to imply the Beta General Fraternity (HQ) does seem to want older chapters to adopt their new policies. So maybe HQ didn't have your back.

But the pledge driving back drunk supposedly happened in Fall 2005 (chapter closed in Summer 2006). What about the fights?

Yeah, it does seem as though Beta was the top dog, and jealousy turned other fraternities to turn in, or complain about Beta to the Greek Life whenever they could.Additionally, the Beta chapter begun to develop a less then stellar reputation in regards to their socials, hazing, and risk management..

So, yes maybe there was alot of gossip, jealous groups complaining, and no criminal charges.... But there is an old saying "Where's there's smoke, there fire".

Beta may not have been total outright criminals, but I doubt they were choirboys either... Not saying fraternity guys should be.

But it does seem as though the University had enough complaints and decided to use Beta as an example to everyone else. Unfortunately, there is no "due process" or the same legal rights as a some may think. Especially, when the house is owned by the University.

Unforetunately, in this time of lawsuits, groups have to be extra careful. Times have changed and Universities don't take crap anymore. They drop the axe fairly quickly these days, and don't wait for someone to pass out and die from alcohol poisoning.

As for alumni, well this past weekend - October 19-21, 2007, Beta celebrated what would have been its 25th Anniversary at Maryland. Over 200 alumni came back for a "formal" event Friday night, with an awesome tailgate before the 8pm game.

Martythemoose wrote:
"Members of the now defunct Beta Theta Pi feel that their strong brotherhood amongst each other and with the alumni of the chapter (who still came to every football tailgate, brotherhood event, and graduation dinner) has been ignored and feel that its a travesty that this bond will not continue on for the younger generations. There are graduates from the mid-1980s who would still come to hang out and talk Beta with the current brothers."

Not one of the guys who were active members in 2006 when the chapter closed were present. So, the statement that the alumni from the `80's are involved is not true. Alumni have no interaction with any members from the defunct chapter.

The University and Beta General are going to wait for those guys to graduate and start a new group most likely.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by UMD Beta Alum

Unforetunately, in this time of lawsuits, groups have to be extra careful. Times have changed and Universities don't take crap anymore. They drop the axe fairly quickly these days, and don't wait for someone to pass out and die from alcohol poisoning.

That's a good thing, right?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by UMD Beta Alum

MartytheMoose (and Kevin)

Interesting points! Seems you have some inside info, Were you an active Beta member?

Seeing as how MartytheMoose only ever posted on GC twice, and both those posts were on the same day over a year ago, I doubt he's still around to answer any questions.

[Beta UMD alum]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Seeing as how MartytheMoose only ever posted on GC twice, and both those posts were on the same day over a year ago, I doubt he's still around to answer any questions.

I just stumbled upon this website and after reading this thread, feel inclined to make a quick post to clarify some things.

I was an active in Beta during the time period we were removed from campus. With that being said, I can speak with first-hand knowledge about the events leading to our removal from the University of Maryland.

Based on the posts made by "MartytheMoose" I would say that he was in some way involved with our house, as his information is completely accurate. I wholly agree with each and every one of his statements made in this thread.

At the close of the year just prior to the summer that Beta was removed from campus we were on good standing with both the university and general fraternity. There were no restrictions or new incidents that could have resulted in any type of punitive action. The ONLY issue that the Executive Board was aware of was small financial liabilities that would have been easily rectified without issue.

I understand the perspective of Delta Omega Alums, as there has been a serious gap in communication both during and after our removal. For whatever reason, the stories that I have heard from older alums simply do not completely match up with what happened.


In my opinion the incidents of that summer were despicable on a number of levels, two of which stick out in my mind.
1. The office of Greek life punished a group of good young men simply to flex their muscles to the remaining houses. In doing this they stripped students of their housing and let the house run vacant for over a year.
2. Our chapter was consciously thrown under the bus by the general fraternity based on what I feel were likely based on selfish intentions.
The general fraternity should have been the group that went to bat for us and simply put, they didn’t

[Beta UMD alum]

Originally Posted by UMD Beta Alum

MartytheMoose (and Kevin)

Interesting points! Seems you have some inside info, Were you an active Beta member? Some of the comments you make are new to me. Alumni heard a different story to some points.

Yes, sounds like the University and Greek Life hung you out to dry in regards to housing. Telling you in June or July and having less then 2 months, is hard.

There have been other postings on this website that seem to imply the Beta General Fraternity (HQ) does seem to want older chapters to adopt their new policies. So maybe HQ didn't have your back.

But the pledge driving back drunk supposedly happened in Fall 2005 (chapter closed in Summer 2006). What about the fights?

Yeah, it does seem as though Beta was the top dog, and jealousy turned other fraternities to turn in, or complain about Beta to the Greek Life whenever they could.Additionally, the Beta chapter begun to develop a less then stellar reputation in regards to their socials, hazing, and risk management..

So, yes maybe there was alot of gossip, jealous groups complaining, and no criminal charges.... But there is an old saying "Where's there's smoke, there fire".

Beta may not have been total outright criminals, but I doubt they were choirboys either... Not saying fraternity guys should be.

But it does seem as though the University had enough complaints and decided to use Beta as an example to everyone else. Unfortunately, there is no "due process" or the same legal rights as a some may think. Especially, when the house is owned by the University.

Unforetunately, in this time of lawsuits, groups have to be extra careful. Times have changed and Universities don't take crap anymore. They drop the axe fairly quickly these days, and don't wait for someone to pass out and die from alcohol poisoning.

As for alumni, well this past weekend - October 19-21, 2007, Beta celebrated what would have been its 25th Anniversary at Maryland. Over 200 alumni came back for a "formal" event Friday night, with an awesome tailgate before the 8pm game.

Martythemoose wrote:
"Members of the now defunct Beta Theta Pi feel that their strong brotherhood amongst each other and with the alumni of the chapter (who still came to every football tailgate, brotherhood event, and graduation dinner) has been ignored and feel that its a travesty that this bond will not continue on for the younger generations. There are graduates from the mid-1980s who would still come to hang out and talk Beta with the current brothers."

Not one of the guys who were active members in 2006 when the chapter closed were present. So, the statement that the alumni from the `80's are involved is not true. Alumni have no interaction with any members from the defunct chapter.

The University and Beta General are going to wait for those guys to graduate and start a new group most likely.

I just want to respond briefly to the statement about the lack of people at the alumni tailgate...

The simple explanation to why there were no members from the 2006 class is because we were not invited. I found out about this tailgate from a brother who saw it listed as an activity on the website. Active brothers were never told about it, despite the fact that the email list-serve was and is still active to this day.