Beta Theta Pi pledge dies at Penn State

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by 33girl

It doesn't help that there is buzz regarding a Jerry Sandusky movie coming out.

This HBO movie has been in the works for five years now. However, they just announced last week that Al Pacino will play Paterno, which upped the buzz about it.

[shadokat]

President Barron didn't think Beta was a problem. His words "The Beta fraternity was viewed as a model fraternity and reflected a national perspective on many best practices. The house, privately-owned and situated like all other fraternity houses on private property, was beautiful, the subject of a multi-million dollar renovation. Both the Beta alumni and the national organization provided strict rules of behavior. The brothers had a ‘no alcohol’ policy, which stated that anyone caught drinking would be expelled from the fraternity. There was live-in oversight as contracted through an external agreement with the national organization. The owner of the house wired it for video surveillance. There were no outward signs of large parties, which are frequently the bane of community members. All indicators suggested a “model” fraternity."

Penn State, like it or not, has to do something big for this PR nightmare to die down. And all of the Greek organizations at Penn State are there at the invitation of Penn State. Sort of like when your dad says "You wanna live in my house, you live by my rules." Penn State is saying if you want to be a part of this campus, we're happy to have you, but you're living by our rules. I don't think it's right or wrong...it just IS! When you haven't had a handle on what the organizations have been doing for as long as Penn State has, drastic measures may be needed.

Also, I don't think we have any right to tell the Piazzas that something will or won't bring their son back. I think they already live that reality every day.

Originally Posted by JonInKC

I don't think it's right to sanction all the other orgs that had zero to do with this. It looks like Beta Theta Pi has a history of being a problem at Penn State. They are now gone permanently. Brothers are facing legal consequences for this and Beta Theta Pi is getting sued for this as well. I think what needed to be done is being done.

As tragic as the case is, punishing every person involved in the Greek system of an entire school won't bring their son back.

[shadokat]

Also, if you want to follow today's hearing, where they are viewing the video of that evening, you can do so by following @crawriter on Twitter or go to pennlive.com. Be warned, it's brutal.

[GreekOne]

They have formed their new task force which, interestingly, does not include any women who would have knowledge of NPC's position. In two years, there will be no freshmen permitted. This will be the end for many fraternities there.

http://onwardstate.com/2017/06/11/pr...-team-members/

[33girl]

Originally Posted by GreekOne

In two years, there will be no freshmen permitted. This will be the end for many fraternities there.

http://onwardstate.com/2017/06/11/pr...-team-members/

Why would deferred rush end a fraternity? That sounds like my school's extremely dingy Greek advisor who moved sorority rush to first semester freshman year "so we can get them before they know any better."

The class distribution will be screwed up for a couple years but then it will even back out. If it's a live in issue, rent a couple rooms to independents. Seriously, it's not the end of the world.

There are so many freshmen from so many small towns who go to Penn State and get in over their heads, even without the Greek system. They're going from their home where everyone knew their name and cared about their welfare to a place full of temptations where no one really cares if they sink or swim. Personally, I don't think it's a fraternity or a sorority's job to play babysitter, tour guide and tutor all rolled into one. It's to provide brotherhood and sisterhood. If deferred rush takes that weight off the Greek system's shoulders, I honestly can't see where it's a bad thing.

But let's be real - this "sophomores and up only" will last maybe 2-3 years before the exceptionally swift administration realizes that freshmen are joining Trilogy, ESA and its male equivalents that will spring up, and partying just as hard and as stupid without national oversight.

[GreekOne]

The problem with the shift is the ability to float financially. Housing contracts are typically committed in October of Freshman year for off campus housing Sophomore year. If rushing is deferred to Sophomore year, housing would potentially have to be made up of Juniors. There would be a required transition for members to transition to this new mind set. The incumbent sophomores would have to stay in the house for 2 years to let the system catch up. If this does not happen, and the house does not have time to recruit heavy for a sophomore class, the numbers won't work for a house to financially make it.

As for sororities, the same applies. Typically at least 90% pledge freshman year and live in sophomore year, moving off campus Jr year. If they can't pledge until Sophomore year, they won't be able to live in until Jr year. It creates a housing crisis for a few years which may make or break some chapters. Housing off campus is much more affordable. If they live off campus sophomore year and enjoy thousands of dollars reduction, it will be hard for parents to justify them moving back "on campus" to pay more into the sorority suites.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by GreekOne

The problem with the shift is the ability to float financially. Housing contracts are typically committed in October of Freshman year for off campus housing Sophomore year. If rushing is deferred to Sophomore year, housing would potentially have to be made up of Juniors. There would be a required transition for members to transition to this new mind set. The incumbent sophomores would have to stay in the house for 2 years to let the system catch up. If this does not happen, and the house does not have time to recruit heavy for a sophomore class, the numbers won't work for a house to financially make it.

As for sororities, the same applies. Typically at least 90% pledge freshman year and live in sophomore year, moving off campus Jr year. If they can't pledge until Sophomore year, they won't be able to live in until Jr year. It creates a housing crisis for a few years which may make or break some chapters. Housing off campus is much more affordable. If they live off campus sophomore year and enjoy thousands of dollars reduction, it will be hard for parents to justify them moving back "on campus" to pay more into the sorority suites.

I would be way more worried about the fraternities than the sororities (if there's any reason to worry at all). The NPC's recruitment style (with quota/total) should ensure each has enough members to live in, and their housing (in university-owned suites) eliminates many financial/ownership complications. In addition, if for some reason a sorority had to move out of a suite, I don't think that would have as much of an impact on them recruiting as it would being at an SEC school, for example, and being the one chapter without a stand-alone house.

As for the fraternities, this change isn't happening overnight. They have two years to prepare for this and change their live-in policies. If fraternity members really want their chapters to survive, they'll adapt and adjust. And everyone will be in the same boat, so there's no unfair advantage here. The chapters that suffer will be the ones who refuse to change.

[blueGBI]

Originally Posted by GreekOne

The problem with the shift is the ability to float financially. Housing contracts are typically committed in October of Freshman year for off campus housing Sophomore year. If rushing is deferred to Sophomore year, housing would potentially have to be made up of Juniors. There would be a required transition for members to transition to this new mind set. The incumbent sophomores would have to stay in the house for 2 years to let the system catch up. If this does not happen, and the house does not have time to recruit heavy for a sophomore class, the numbers won't work for a house to financially make it.

As for sororities, the same applies. Typically at least 90% pledge freshman year and live in sophomore year, moving off campus Jr year. If they can't pledge until Sophomore year, they won't be able to live in until Jr year. It creates a housing crisis for a few years which may make or break some chapters. Housing off campus is much more affordable. If they live off campus sophomore year and enjoy thousands of dollars reduction, it will be hard for parents to justify them moving back "on campus" to pay more into the sorority suites.

Actually, sororities live on campus in dorms in South Halls. Each sorority has a floor and a suite. From what I know, recruitment isn't as sophomore heavy as it used to be when I was at PSU but recruitment isn't like other schools. You can and will probably have a successful rush as a sophomore/junior. Given how most chapters at PSU have 150+ sisters and the average floor holds ~50 women in the rooms, the sororities won't have a problem.

The fraternities, depends on what they and their alumni corps do. I feel like from talking to other alumni, the changes will be grumbled about but in the end, will be successful.

[Tom Earp]

Reported that after a trial day members were laughing and joking!

I am going WHAT THE HELL? What is wrong with these kids? A kid died and they did nothing to save him!

They are sad humans and a poor represntative of B T P!

Shame on them!!! I hope they all go to prison!

[GreekOne]

[QUOTE=Tom Earp;2433902]Reported that after a trial day members were laughing and joking!

I read the same thing and felt awful for the the parents. However, to play devil's advocate, this was Mr. Piazza's impression that he shared with the media which has now been widely reported.

Keeping it in perspective that the accused and their parents were greeting each other and hugging, etc. it may have appeared that they were "acting like they were at a fraternity party." when in reality they were saying hello and commiserating about the shared hell that they must be living in.

Have you ever gone to a funeral and seen old friends then started catching up and smiling/laughing? Acting that way has nothing to do with the funeral proceedings. It is just natural to relax when you see someone that you are close to and/or haven't seen in awhile, even under adverse conditions.

I think the accused made poor choices the night of Feb 2. But I believe that now some of what is being said/shared with the media is being done to create public sympathy in light of future litigation.

[Tom Earp]

[QUOTE=GreekOne;2434010]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Reported that after a trial day members were laughing and joking!

I read the same thing and felt awful for the the parents. However, to play devil's advocate, this was Mr. Piazza's impression that he shared with the media which has now been widely reported.

Keeping it in perspective that the accused and their parents were greeting each other and hugging, etc. it may have appeared that they were "acting like they were at a fraternity party." when in reality they were saying hello and commiserating about the shared hell that they must be living in.

Have you ever gone to a funeral and seen old friends then started catching up and smiling/laughing? Acting that way has nothing to do with the funeral proceedings. It is just natural to relax when you see someone that you are close to and/or haven't seen in awhile, even under adverse conditions.

I think the accused made poor choices the night of Feb 2. But I believe that now some of what is being said/shared with the media is being done to create public sympathy in light of future litigation.

There is a huge difference in Celebrating a Members Life in Dead than going to Court on charges!

So, tell me they did wrong and let him die? Were they just that Friggen Stupid?

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Reported that after a trial day members were laughing and joking!

This isn't unusual with people charged with a crime. Gallows humor is a thing.

[JonInKC]

A judge has thrown out manslaughter and assault charges against eight Penn State fraternity brothers in the hazing death of 19-year-old sophomore Tim Piazza,

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/penn-...174600995.html

[violetgeek]

Originally Posted by JonInKC

A judge has thrown out manslaughter and assault charges against eight Penn State fraternity brothers in the hazing death of 19-year-old sophomore Tim Piazza,

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/penn-...174600995.html

It was for 8 of the 18 originally charged, but really?

[ASTalumna06]

And now there's this.

Suspended Penn State Fraternity Faces Underage Drinking Charges After Underage Women Are Hospitalized
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/...451229223.html