Our SDSU chapter, Zeta Pi Zeta....

[LXA grits]

May I remind many of you who need reminding:

Lambda Chi Alpha has explicit resolutions on the use of illegal drugs. In fact, one of our BASIC membership expectations is that we, as members, will not use or support the use of illegal drugs. In addition, we have six statements in our "Policy on Illegal Drugs" that support the abolishment of marijuana and other such drugs in Lambda Chi Alpha. It "shall not be tolerated" and we are to "strictly enforce this policy". According to the majority vote of acceptance of our current Constitution and Statutory Code, the use or support of this drug-associated behavior is unconstitutional to Lambda Chi Alpha, based on the fact that it's detrimental to our members and chapters. I, personally, agree with these resolutions, and support the presented evidence. You need to (pulling from previous posts) WAKE UP and realize that your responsibilities as a member of Lambda Chi Alpha are to ensure the best environment for fraternal success. Suggesting that the use of illegal drugs in our fraternity would be a good thing is ridiculous. I abide by the laws and traditions of our fraternity, as it is in the fraternity's best interest to do so. As far as the SDSU (San Diego State University, not South Dakota State University) situation is concerned, I feel that if individual members can be held accountable for their actions (assuming a few were involved) in order for this situation to put Lambda Chi Alpha back on the "road to recovery" then they individually need to be held accountable. It would do well to require the (constitutionally encouraged, anyway) chapter to educate themselves on illegal drug policy, unbiased research, and historical results of drug use in our chapters. However, if the chapter is found to be "in too deep" to save themselves, or if the chapter members of Zeta-Pi Zeta have been inundated so much as to become "un-salvageable," then the responsibility rests on the fraternity to hold the entire chapter accountable for their actions. There are varying levels and different routes to go in lending assistance and support to our members. If the International Fraternity begins to view illegal drug use as a supported aspect of chapter operations, then we are doing a disservice to our members and the fraternal community. I understand that many see marijuana use as a "coming of age" or "college-time past-time", but the fraternity (and its members) should keep with the position that it's not acceptable or beneficial for our members. And that's the most important thing that our International Fraternity needs to keep in mind; ensuring the best undergraduate membership experience possible.

In "my honest opinion" Z A X ,

[GammaZeta]

Grits,

So you're saying, if you ever saw one of you brothers using drugs, you would immediately begin the process of kicking them out?

If we went by the letter on every rule or resolution, we would'nt have any membership left.

These are 18, 19 and 20 year old kids living on their own for the first time. Of course they are going to do drugs. I've been to every LXA chapter in New England. If we upheld that law, there would be no LXA chapters in New England.

[Mooch279]

I think we need to wait to hear all the facts before making any judgments on the chapter... as it stands now we have no idea why the chapter was suspended. We don't know if any brothers we involved with selling drugs, my guess would be there weren't b/c the house wasn't raided by the cops. Maybe a couple brothers we caught buying from the other house, if so the entire chapter shouldn't be punished for the acts of a few. the brotherly thing to do would be to help them over come their drug problem. Looking at the layout of "fraternity row" it looks to me like the 5 other fraternities suspended are all situated either on corners or high foot traffic areas so my guess is that drugs were being sold outside of the house and they were suspended for not reporting it.

But I think this can all be summed up in the immortal words of Eric Stratton (Rush Chair, Damn glad to meet you):

Otter: Point of parliamentary procedure!
Hoover: Don't screw around, they're serious this time!
Otter: Take it easy, I'm pre-law.
Boon: I thought you were pre-med.
Otter: What's the difference?
[Addressing the room]
Otter: Ladies and gentlemen, I'll be brief. The issue here is not whether we broke a few rules, or took a few liberties with our female party guests - we did.
[winks at Dean Wormer]
Otter: But you can't hold a whole fraternity responsible for the behavior of a few, sick twisted individuals. For if you do, then shouldn't we blame the whole fraternity system? And if the whole fraternity system is guilty, then isn't this an indictment of our educational institutions in general? I put it to you, Greg - isn't this an indictment of our entire American society? Well, you can do whatever you want to us, but we're not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America. Gentlemen!
[Leads the Deltas out of the hearing, all humming the Star-Spangled Banner]

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Grits,

So you're saying, if you ever saw one of you brothers using drugs, you would immediately begin the process of kicking them out?

If we went by the letter on every rule or resolution, we would'nt have any membership left.

These are 18, 19 and 20 year old kids living on their own for the first time. Of course they are going to do drugs. I've been to every LXA chapter in New England. If we upheld that law, there would be no LXA chapters in New England.

Well, in your words they all do drugs so, this makes it okay along with what Jono posted?

So, I am wondering what the heck the question is?

So it is illegal in the eyes of the law and outlawed by LXA which was voted on by members who are Brothers as such.

I am sorry, what part is not clear? Dah?

You want a pissing contest? It is in black and white. NO DRUGS!

[GammaZeta]

Wow Tom, thanks for clearing that up.

So I guess the reality of the situation is, that no LXA brother had done, or ever will do, an illegal drug? Right?

I'm also guessing that since we outlawed hazing AND drinking under 21, that no LXA has ever engaged in those activites? Right?

[LXA grits]

I want to make sure nobody is making assumptions.

I said that if a member was using illegal drugs, they would need to be held accountable for those actions. I did not specify what that consequence would be, because I think those types of reactions need to be appropriate to individual situations. If the Constitution and Statutory Code does not explicitly mandate or advise a particular punishment, then it is up to the chapter's Executive Committee (or, at a higher level, the Grand High Zeta or General Assembly) to decide what consequence is appropriate.

To specifically answer GammaZeta’s question…(“So you're saying, if you ever saw one of you brothers using drugs, you would immediately begin the process of kicking them out?”):

I was Phi, Standards Chairman, and an Exec member-at-large my senior year. I found out three members were making a bad name for Lambda Chi by smoking weed and associating drugs with our chapter. I brought them up on charges in front of Exec, and a decision was made by the Committee. ...(I think, if I remember correctly, that they (1) were required to be sober - no drugs or alcohol - for the rest of that academic year, they (2) completed extra house clean-up chores, and they (3) attended a college presentation on the negative effects of drugs.) These were three decent guys that ended up quitting the drugs and rebuilding their relationship with the chapter. I think one became Tau and the other became Kappa their senior years. So, yes, I certainly think members (and chapters) can grow to become better after difficulties, if appropriate measures are taken. A member can be rebuked, and then as long as he seeks forgiveness through mending his ways, then he can improve his status back to full-membership. ...same thing for a chapter.

On the other hand, I've also been placed in the sad, but sometimes necessary, role of leading a Membership Review committee. This "house-cleaning", as I've seen it called, was at a chapter of about 100 members. This Zeta was in such disarray, due mostly to drug and alcohol abuse, that their operations were struggling to stay above water. Their leadership was disrespected, their treasury was in the red, each of their offices was in a sad state, and overall morale was killing their chance of survival. It was deemed impossible that this chapter would be able to climb up the improvement ladder with its current membership of so many men pulling down the chapter, again mostly due to their illegal lifestyles. It was necessary to work with them to ensure the chapter on that campus had re-growth. This was only possible if the men that were dragging down the chapter were formally disconnected from the fraternity, through the decisions of the Membership Review Committee. At the time, I hated it when I handed out 49 expulsion letters. I still don't like the fact that the environment in that Zeta had become so bad that it was necessary to expel them in order to save the chapter. But, now, I see that it saved the chapter in the end.

We don’t know the particulars in this situation, so we’re in no position to cast judgment. Let the chapter take care of itself, in most situations. In this case, someone has deemed that the chapter can’t make this decision on its own. If it’s up to the University, they’re going to do what they want to do…it’s their Greek system. If the decision comes down to our Office of Administration or a Status of Chapters Committee during this summer’s General Assembly…then I’m sure our brothers will do what’s in the best interest of the experience shared by the members of this fraternity.

[GammaZeta]

What I don't think most older LXA's realize is that drugs are much more present in our chapters than some care to admit.

Some chapters hide it better, some don't. However, drugs are still there.

And it's not just a LXA thing, or a college thing, it is the COMPLETE college environment.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

What I don't think most older LXA's realize is that drugs are much more present in our chapters than some care to admit.

Some chapters hide it better, some don't. However, drugs are still there.

And it's not just a LXA thing, or a college thing, it is the COMPLETE college environment.

While your statement or assumption may be true, I think LXAGrits spelled it out to the Nth degree. That is the stand of LXA and IHQ.

Fight and discuss it as you may want to, it has been explained.

I am not saying it doesn't happen as you said but it is not needed in our housings.

We had a member some years back who was smoking grass in the house and he was expulled. Remember that word, expulled?

At your maturing age, you can do as you please but it still doesn't make it proper in our house situations.

[LXAAlum]

Regardless of what "really" happened, I can say with a degree of certainty that the SDSU chapter will be closed.

It's not so much the allegations that may be either true OR false. It's not so much that it's a recently reconstituted chapter. It's not so much that they were "stand up" guys. It's not so much they may or may not have used/dealt drugs.

It's that they will go the way of Colorado State University (Gamma Pi) - they made headlines, pure and simple.

Headlines that are bad publicity for the fraternity are simply not tolerated. CSU was NEVER found "guilty" of the charges that were broadcast in the press, but, since it made it to the press, it was over.

SDSU will suffer the same fate.

Bummer, but it's reality.

[Tom Earp]

[QUOTE=LXAAlum;1651500]Regardless of what "really" happened, I can say with a degree of certainty that the SDSU chapter will be closed.

It's not so much the allegations that may be either true OR false. It's not so much that it's a recently reconstituted chapter. It's not so much that they were "stand up" guys. It's not so much they may or may not have used/dealt drugs.

It's that they will go the way of Colorado State University (Gamma Pi) - they made headlines, pure and simple.

Headlines that are bad publicity for the fraternity are simply not tolerated. CSU was NEVER found "guilty" of the charges that were broadcast in the press, but, since it made it to the press, it was over.

SDSU will suffer the same fate.



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And you my dear friend hope you are wrong!

If say one-three were involved and none of the others were aware of it, then why punish the rest who are good and hard working Brothers!


The Zeta there seems overly all to be doing a great job.

I am getting tired of blaming the whole Brotherhood for a few transgressions.

[GammaZeta]

So now we let the media decide how to run our fraternity?

[LXA grits]

I dissagree with LXAAlum...

While the fate of the chapter might result in its closure...I don't think it would be closed on the basis of "they made headlines." I trust the judgment of our brothers in the "deciding positions" better than to make a call about our bond based off of media attention. Again, I will say what I posted earlier about what I'm sure will ring true:

"If the decision comes down to our Office of Administration or a Status of Chapters Committee during this summer’s General Assembly…then I’m sure our brothers will do what’s in the best interest of the experience shared by the members of this fraternity."


Again, that might mean the chapter gets shut down, or it might bean one member goes on social probation...I don't know the particulars. But, the goal still remains to ensure the success of the Lambda Chi Alpha organization and the ideals we uphold. I have NO DOUBT that HQ, the GHZ, or whatever entity will move forward with that in mind. No doubt at all.

Of course, the negative light that is cast upon our chapter there, and upon our international organization, might open the doors to more consideration about how we are percieved. If we are known on that campus as 50 drug-dealers operating out of a meth-lab (even if it's not 100% true)....then, that's going to affect recruitment, philanthropy, social stigma, and the relationship with the university. Then, the decision to close the chapter and wait for a more inviting environment to operate our Zeta there, might be more appropriate. Again, we aren't in the position of "deciding this case", so we can't say. If you do want to have that official voice, go to General Assembly and try to gain the alumni speaking opportunities. Active members, maybe you'll play a part in the decision...so I''d encourage you to brush up on your Constitution knowledge. Myself...I'm saving up $$$ for the Centennial!

Yours in Z A X ,

[GammaZeta]

"(even if it's not 100% true)...."

See, that is what concerns me the most. Now we start to ignore facts, the truth behind the situation and we only become concerned about good pr and publicity.

Put yourself in your brothers shoes. Imagine you were one of them, and you may have only did some pot. Now all of a sudden, because of what it says in the NEWSPAPER, you are getting kicked out.

I say we grow some balls and start sticking up for our fellow brothers, regardless of how they are portrayed in the MEDIA or NEWSPAPAER.

If they did something wrong, let them get punished for what they DID, NOT what was REPORTED that they did.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

"(even if it's not 100% true)...."

See, that is what concerns me the most. Now we start to ignore facts, the truth behind the situation and we only become concerned about good pr and publicity.

Put yourself in your brothers shoes. Imagine you were one of them, and you may have only did some pot. Now all of a sudden, because of what it says in the NEWSPAPER, you are getting kicked out.

I say we grow some balls and start sticking up for our fellow brothers, regardless of how they are portrayed in the MEDIA or NEWSPAPAER.

If they did something wrong, let them get punished for what they DID, NOT what was REPORTED that they did.

Now here, I have to agree with GammaZeta. Reports I have read, the chapter was doing really very well, involved and growing.

There may be a stain on the chapter by a few so why penalize all of the Brothers who were not involved.

As to letting the officers at IHQ make the decision, I am sure they will hopefully what is the best for everyone.

For the thoughts and comments on this site not meaning much, I disagree. It is seen by members at IHQ and GHZ who check it. They may take what is said to heart, but all of the facts must come out for them to make the final decission.

In a nut shell, I do not want to see the current Brothers screwed as it were, nor any possible and future Brothers not have a chance to be a LXA.

[LXAAlum]

Originally Posted by LXA grits

I dissagree with LXAAlum...

While the fate of the chapter might result in its closure...I don't think it would be closed on the basis of "they made headlines." I trust the judgment of our brothers in the "deciding positions" better than to make a call about our bond based off of media attention. Again, I will say what I posted earlier about what I'm sure will ring true:

"If the decision comes down to our Office of Administration or a Status of Chapters Committee during this summer’s General Assembly…then I’m sure our brothers will do what’s in the best interest of the experience shared by the members of this fraternity."


Again, that might mean the chapter gets shut down, or it might bean one member goes on social probation...I don't know the particulars. But, the goal still remains to ensure the success of the Lambda Chi Alpha organization and the ideals we uphold. I have NO DOUBT that HQ, the GHZ, or whatever entity will move forward with that in mind. No doubt at all.

Of course, the negative light that is cast upon our chapter there, and upon our international organization, might open the doors to more consideration about how we are percieved. If we are known on that campus as 50 drug-dealers operating out of a meth-lab (even if it's not 100% true)....then, that's going to affect recruitment, philanthropy, social stigma, and the relationship with the university. Then, the decision to close the chapter and wait for a more inviting environment to operate our Zeta there, might be more appropriate. Again, we aren't in the position of "deciding this case", so we can't say. If you do want to have that official voice, go to General Assembly and try to gain the alumni speaking opportunities. Active members, maybe you'll play a part in the decision...so I''d encourage you to brush up on your Constitution knowledge. Myself...I'm saving up $$$ for the Centennial!

Yours in Z A X ,

Grits, while I hope I am wrong, past experiences with chapters in trouble have shown me that IHQ sometimes believes it is better to shut the entire chapter down and restart it after conditions change, even if the allegations against said chapter are either dismissed or the group found not guilty.

I don't think that it's a lack of leadership on IHQ's part, by the way. I think they believe they act in the best interests of the entire fraternity by taking such actions, unpopular though they may be, and, they haven't always had a good track record either, though I think things are going in the right way in Indianapolis now.

I've never agreed with certain decisions, though, I do understand their rationale behind decisions that affected brothers and chapters near and dear to my heart. It doesn't make it any less painful for all involved.

When it comes down to costs/benefits, that's where the decision about SDSU will be made - is it worth the potential PR black eye to simply put the chapter on probation, now that the entire campus's and greek system's reputation has been called into question, or, would it be more beneficial to close now, and recolonize again after HQ is assured that the campus is truly "favorable" to our ideals?

Like you stated, it's all about the stigma/perception this incident will leave with the campus after the press finally decides to move on to another "story of the week."

Then again, most, if not all the press about the SDSU situation focuses on another fraternity altogether, so that may be in our chapter's benefit.