UT frat recruited with live sex shows, lawsuit claims

[aggieadpi_01]

I just read this article in The Houston Chronicle.

http://www.chron.com/news/article/UT...it-2191349.php

[SOM]

Another take on events:
Fraternity Slams the Breaks on Rogue Chapter

CN) - A Texas fraternity chapter went "rogue" after its national order suspended it for hazing and sponsoring "live sex acts" in the frat house, but the students have no claim to certain property, including member dues, furniture and the members' residence, the order claims in county court.
The Kappa Alpha Order traces its roots back to 1865 in Lexington, Va. It notes that it is a "religious in feeling" group, of the Judeo Christian ethic, "pledged to the preservation of the highest ideals of gentlemanly conduct among its members."
But this summer, the order says it had to impose a one-year suspension of the Omicron chapter, which was chartered at the University of Texas at Austin in 1883.
An investigation showed that the frat had hosted "professional exotic dancers performing live sex acts for recruitment purposes," hazed members and let senior female members to haze new inductees of an unauthorized "little sister" group, according to the complaint filed the District Court of Travis County, Texas.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/09/27/40098.htm

Update from local paper:
"The national Kappa Alpha fraternity organization filed a lawsuit against its former UT chapter, claiming the group owes the national organization hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets.
The lawsuit alleges the UT group hired exotic dancers that performed live sexual acts for recruitment purposes and hazed pledge members. When the national organization suspended the UT chapter for the incident in June, the UT chapter disassociated and formed Texas Omicron, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit demands the return of delinquent dues, real estate at 2515 Leon St., kitchen appliances, artwork and other property the national chapter alleges belongs to the Kappa Alpha organization."...
http://www.dailytexanonline.com/news/2011/09/28/local-kappa-alpha-sued-national-chapter-house-possessions

[ElieM]

Is there something about bringing the organization into disrepute?

[KDCat]

There's two issues: 1) Did the national have grounds to suspend the chapter? and 2) Once the chapter was suspended, who gets control of the assets?

It's not that hiring a stripper is illegal, it's that the national is saying that hiring a stripper was grounds for suspending the chapter. Things can be perfectly legal and still be a breach of their operating guidelines.

[Lady Pi]

From other things that I've read, the "shows" were much more than stripteases. They were full on sex shows involving prostitutes and drugs.

[33girl]

I guess I don't understand why this would be a good rush event. Do they measure each other's boners to decide who gets bids or what?

Boys are weird.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I guess I don't understand why this would be a good rush event. Do they measure each other's boners to decide who gets bids or what?

Boys are weird.

I believe that falls under membership selection and would be private.

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I guess I don't understand why this would be a good rush event. Do they measure each other's boners to decide who gets bids or what?

Boys are weird.

you just made me snort Dr. Pepper all over my keyboard. Thanks!

[carnation]

Worse yet, my 11-year-old glanced over my should and asked what a boner is.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by carnation

Worse yet, my 11-year-old glanced over my should and asked what a boner is.

[Dionysus]

Originally Posted by carnation

Worse yet, my 11-year-old glanced over my should and asked what a boner is.

Possibly has already had one...

[naraht]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I guess I don't understand why this would be a good rush event. Do they measure each other's boners to decide who gets bids or what?

Boys are weird.

Hmm, Determining membership based on size of "endowment"...
On the one hand, I doubt that it would be illegal under either State or Federal discrimination laws and I doubt that it is specifically prohibited by the Kappa Alpha Order bylaws. (unless you think a racial argument could be made.)

On the other hand, I'd look very strangely on any law or Fraternity by-laws that specifically prohibited it.

My guess is that the law would treat this as if the fraternity were discriminating according to Height.

I'm just trying to figure out what other possible reason they could have for having a live sex show during rush.

And as for getting into a lawsuit with your National, the only one that I've seen the National lose is the recent Tau Epsilon Phi situation.

[PeppyGPhiB]

I used to date an alumnus of this chapter, and I'll just say that this doesn't really surprise me. He was the sort to portray himself in one way in public, but do a whole 'nother kinda thing in private. To the Nth degree.

[DubaiSis]

"Instead of accepting the suspension, the local fraternity cut ties with the national group and continues to recruit members and function as a fraternity at the former chapter house at 2515 Leon Street, the lawsuit said.
In its lawsuit the national administrative office of Kappa Alpha Order has demanded that the local group, which calls itself Texas Omicron, turn over revenue, dues and accounts collected prior to July 22 and all furnishings, artwork and equipment in the fraternity house.
The suit claims that the property should be held in trust for use by a future chapter of the Kappa Alpha Order."

If these guys are so arrogant and stupid that they think they can keep the house after national pulls the plug, these guys really need to be spending more time in class and less time with hookers and blow. I am running through a series of why wouldn't they have... but these guys are clearly above the law and common decency. Even if it was perfectly legal strippers and it wasn't a rush party, it would still be reason for a fraternity with the reputation of KA to go ballistic. Dudes, you're not getting a 100 year old house just because you're the current tenants. DUH.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

If these guys are so arrogant and stupid that they think they can keep the house after national pulls the plug, these guys really need to be spending more time in class and less time with hookers and blow.

That all depends on how big of a role the alumni chapter/housing corp plays. These things are different with every fraternity, and in some cases, yes, they would be able to stay in their house, even if they lose national and campus recognition.