Tau Epsilon Phi Members Sue Nationals/Possible Dissolution of Fraternity

[LaneSig]

Members of Tau Epsilon Phi have sued their national officers. In "Broughty vs. Hassenberg", members of TEP allege the following issues:

- elections for national officers have not occured since 1999, despite a 2 year office term requirement

- current national officers have used TEP funds for own benefit and have refused requests for financial disclosures

There are several other issues. The judge hearing the case is scheduled to make a ruling on Oct. 21, 2010. One of the options that has been brought up by the platiffs is the dissolution of Tau Epsilon Phi, since they feel that there is no financial stability and that many chapters/members cannot agree on the future of the fraternity.

I am trying to link some articles and the lawsuit.

[Psi U MC Vito]

This has been building for a few years. I remember a couple of years ago there was concern about where the money was going.

[LaneSig]

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gi...5060816&ref=ts

FB page with a little information.

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?ui...29&topic=15908

More information.

[moe.ron]

Wow, that is hard core.

[NinjaPoodle]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tau_Eps...y_v_Hassenberg

[NinjaPoodle]

I wish the brothers the best.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Question is, what is the best? The national organization might be at a lost so far, especially since they were fairly small as of a couple of years ago.

[AOII Angel]

Hmmm....they have really important alumni. Jonas Salk! Wow. What a shame. Interesting aside for me, one of their founders shares a last name with me.

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Question is, what is the best? The national organization might be at a lost so far, especially since they were fairly small as of a couple of years ago.

I hope they get what they want, whatever is best for them.

[Lafayette79]

In the 1970's, Jewish men became more welcome in the non-Jewish fraternities. A side effect of this was that the Jewish fraternities lost a lot of men who traditionally would have joined a Jewish house, but now had more options. This caused a lot of pressure on the Jewish Nationals and a lot of chapters folded.

The sororities were changing as well. One year we had a Kappa Kappa Gamma Sweetheart, who was Jewish.

It's a tough thing. Most of us welcome diversity, but what about the houses that catered to those who were previously excluded? In a recent thread, someone commented upon Sigma Delta Tau thriving in Informal Rush with a different vib and suggesting that Theta Phi Alpha might benefit from that plan.

Phi Epsilon Pi was a healthy Jewish National which was absorbed by Zeta Beta Tau. Maybe absorbsion is an option for TEP too.

I had friends in TEP and hope to see one this Homecoming.

"TEPS on Top"

[Leslie Anne]

I would be sad to see Tep go. I hope they can get things resolved.

[Senusret I]

That's the fraternity of one of the mayoral candidates here in DC. That's sad.

[DEVODUDE]

Lafayette79:Phi Epsilon Pi was a healthy Jewish National which was absorbed by Zeta Beta Tau.

Phi Epsilon Pi was more of a non-sectarian Fraternity in nature when it was founded in 1904 and Phi Sigma Delta started as a Jewish Fraternity in 1909, but went non-sectarian in 1947. Both were healthy Nationals to a point, however, they too had financial problems within their Fraternities in the late 1960's. This was why both Fratenities agreed to be absorbed by ZBT National in order to salvage both brotherhoods (morally and financially) and still remain involve with the NIC & Greek Community. That is why today, ZBT is more of a balanced brotherhood of Jewish and non-Jewish brothers.

This sad to hear this news regarding TEP. I know a few TEP brothers from UPenn. I hope they can find some resolution to their issues.

ZBT:"Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present & Impacting the Future."

[MysticCat]

It's very sad to see things come to this for a fraternity. Apparently, they haven't had a Grand Chapter in over a decade. According to the complaint, three of the plaintiffs are members of the Grand Council/Board of Dirctors; they have sued other Council members/directors, saying that they have acted to prevent a Grand Chapter being held and have misused fraternity funds. There are at least 45 brothers who are plaintiffs.

Anyone can read the complaint here. The full docket can be accessed by clicking here and, if necessary, entering the characters as indicated.

Does anyone have any idea how many actives they have? The complaint says there are 24 chapters.

[dukemama]

Originally Posted by DEVODUDE

I know a few TEP brothers from UPenn.

My grandfather was a TEP at Penn way back in the day and maintained lifelong friendships with many of his brothers. Very sad to hear this news.