Beta Theta Pi pledge dies at Penn State

[carnation]

A college where I used to teach (there's a long thread on GC somewhere) had locals for years until their awful and unregulated behavior forced the college into making everyone go national. One group dragged their feet, complained, and threatened but they finally went national too.

I don't blame the school! Students could've been killed doing what all they were doing! The college didn't want that or the liability they might have had to shoulder.

[33girl]

Bad terminology makes me stabby. Trilogy and ESA are NOT underground sororities - they are recognized student organizations. Penn State had the same issue before when there were "service sororities" that functioned as social sororities, without the NPC restrictions.

IMO Penn State is susceptible to this sort of thing for two reasons; 1) there are SO many more fraternities than sororities, and 2) the sororities don't have houses, they have dorm suites. Trilogy doesn't have a house? Big whoop, ASA doesn't either.

Until the sororities get houses or (even more so) the fraternities refuse to socialize with Trilogy and ESA, they're going to stay around.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I love it. This shows what happens when administrations overplay their hand. They are left with rogue underground groups which they cannot regulate at all. In this case, the sorority openly recruits, parties with fraternities and does all of the things which would have ended the existence of any NPC group.

This is what happens when schools start to eliminate the Greek system. It won't go away, it'll come back and it'll be much worse.

Although this wasn't the school's doing, it was DDD national that closed the chapter. The school allowed Trilogy to form and flourish. What their rationale is behind that when they actively got rid of similar groups years ago I do not know.

But honestly, it could have been ANY sorority at this party, just as it could have been ANY fraternity this happened to, and anyone who doesn't believe that has their head in the sand.

[GreekOne]

@33girl "it could have been ANY sorority at this party, just as it could have been ANY fraternity this happened to, and anyone who doesn't believe that has their head in the sand."

Of course it could have been, and if it were, that sorority would have been gone along with Beta Theta Pi.

The DG chapter at UConn closed earlier this year. A member was killed in a horrific accident after attending a party at a fraternity. The accident was not related to chapter programming
in this incident (i.e. no hazing, etc) other than the fact that she got drunk at an event the chapter was attending immediately before the accident. The DG chapter was closed.

If this had been an NPC group at Beta's that night, they would be gone. The fact that PSU's administration has not addressed this THON org, undermines what they are trying to accomplish
with their IFC/Panhel sanctions.

[Griffins&Quills]

I don't think there's an issue with disparity between number of fraternities and number of sororities. My campus had 7 sororities and 33 fraternities. We didn't have those issues. Then again, the South is a little different.

[GreekOne]

Originally Posted by Griffins&Quills

I don't think there's an issue with disparity between number of fraternities and number of sororities. My campus had 7 sororities and 33 fraternities. We didn't have those issues. Then again, the South is a little different.

If each fraternity is permitted 10 socials/semester and there are 45 fraternities, that is 450 events. If the 22 NPC groups are each permitted 10, that is 220 socials. The question becomes who do the fraternities social with the other 230 times?? This is why they turn to groups that are outside of NPC.

And therefore, the suggestion that this imbalance provides opportunity for underground/local groups to thrive. Especially when they don't have any restrictions on the number of social events that they can plan.

[aephi alum]

True that.

I will add that the fraternities can social with groups at other nearby colleges. There were a few fraternities at my school that flat out refused to mix with the sororities at my school - they mixed with groups (including NPC sorority chapters) at other schools.

[clemsongirl]

Originally Posted by GreekOne

If each fraternity is permitted 10 socials/semester and there are 45 fraternities, that is 450 events. If the 22 NPC groups are each permitted 10, that is 220 socials. The question becomes who do the fraternities social with the other 230 times?? This is why they turn to groups that are outside of NPC.

And therefore, the suggestion that this imbalance provides opportunity for underground/local groups to thrive. Especially when they don't have any restrictions on the number of social events that they can plan.

My understanding was that the socials were more like weekend parties that were open than specific closed events limited to members of certain sororities or invited dates, but I don't know now where I read that. I just remember it being a misleading term.

There's also no schools near Penn State (that I know of), but I suppose schools near each other might find it a more valid option. I know the NPHC groups at the school I work at routinely attend each other's social events, but that's a different ball of wax.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by clemsongirl

There's also no schools near Penn State (that I know of), but I suppose schools near each other might find it a more valid option. I know the NPHC groups at the school I work at routinely attend each other's social events, but that's a different ball of wax.

I was going to say this. The closest schools that they would potentially socialize with are 20+ miles away. And they're much smaller than PSU. I doubt this is happening there.

[aephi alum]

Good point, ASTalumna06. I went to school in the Boston/Cambridge area, where you can't swing a cat without hitting a college or university.

[JonInKC]

Did anyone see the pictures of Trilogy girls making Delta signs? Looks like a big FU to Tri Delta.

[GreekOne]

Originally Posted by JonInKC

Looks like a big FU to Tri Delta.

The existence of this group is a big FU to Tri Delta, as well as the university. They lost their recognition by their nationals so they morphed into a group recognized by PSU which allows them to openly recruit. The understanding on campus is that they still use Tri Delta rituals as well.

As a proud member of an NPC group, I am bothered by the gall of these women. If someone wants to form a local, and the campus culture allows it, that is one thing. But, to carry on as imposters of another organization is crass.

[GreekOne]

On another note, the Piazza family sent a letter to the PSU board in advance of their meeting today. Their suggestions are in the letter below:

http://onwardstate.com/2017/06/01/pi...y-proceedings/

[PGD-GRAD]

While I scanned it only quickly, there's apparently a battle over the return of the camera footage taken from the PSU Beta house. If I can find the complete article I'll post it. It sounds as if Beta is angry that the county law enforcement either won't return it or did return it but not in its entirety. That tape is--as they say--"the smoking gun".

[LXA SE285]

Does ESA allow its collegiate chapters to be coed or single-sex on a local basis, or could a guy demand to join this chapter?