fighting, destruction of Alpha Chapter house property, illegal drugs and alcohol being consumed by some members within the substance-free chapter house, disregard for the responsible use and management of alcohol and, most recently, hosting parties at annex houses after having social activities suspended by the university and General Fraternity. Many of these activities occurred during a period of universityimposed social probation and after a joint hazing investigation had been launched by the university and General Fraternity. The hazing investigation was driven by allegations of coercive pressure to consume alcohol as a part of the pledge program, as well as line-ups, calisthenics and servitude, all of which have since been verified through interviews with Alpha Chapter members and pledges.
The Fraternity’s policy clearly dictates that chapter closure will result in any instance where a chapter is found to pressure young men in the pledge program to consume alcohol. To compound the issue, the lack of honesty, transparency and forthrightness the last several years, as well as during the recent investigations, severely undercut the chapter’s credibility and standing with the university, house company and General Fraternity. The choice by some to intimidate or minimize those brothers and new members who questioned the above actions in an attempt to “right the course” only added to the severity of the situation. Not surprisingly, the chapter’s volunteer advisors worked closely with the chapter’s leadership through the years to try and correct the mindset and attitude that rejected virtually all forms of true selfgovernance and personal responsibility from within the chapter. Despite those efforts, an irreversible and unhealthy notion of individualism and entitlement persisted. This is not to say that there weren’t young men in the chapter who wanted and tried to do the right thing to put the chapter back on positive ground. There were.
So, you may be asking yourself, “Can’t we just remove the ‘bad apples’ and give the guys a chance to rebuild?” That was certainly one alternative that was thoroughly considered by the university, advisors, house company and General Fraternity. Unfortunately the chapter’s ongoing deception, lack of accountability and the members’ and pledges’ defense of dangerous chapter practices made the risk of continuing with the current students too great. While incredibly difficult, closure of the chapter became the most responsible decision in order to protect the well-being of every young man and secure Beta Theta Pi’s future at Miami University.
Indeed, the undergraduates were actively encouraged to pursue internal governance and self-determination measures within the scope of Beta’s standards. Everyone involved in supporting the chapter believes the best and true Beta experience is one that affords the undergraduates the opportunity to take ownership for the chapter’s direction and make the decisions for its overall well-being. That includes successes and failures, most of which are all good, healthy learning experiences for young men who are growing personally and preparing for successful careers, loving families and civic duty.
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CLOSURE COMMENTARY Hundreds of Betas took to Beta Theta Pi’s Facebook page to voice their thoughts about the closure. With more than 72,600 online readers, the following is a selection of various perspectives shared: “Can y’all find something better to do than shut down chapters? Every single semester I’ve been in college a chapter has been shut down and it’s ridiculous. What happened to self governance?” — Mitchell Smith, Virginia Tech ’15
“Nationals don’t have anyone’s backs, they’re just touring the country and closing all chapters that don’t act like Girl Scouts.”
“Sickened to hear this and learn of the details. I served as Pledge Educator and President of the Alpha Chapter 05-06 and never did we have a culture of hazing. Plain and simple, hazing is beyond stupid and it’s old news in fraternities. It’s not Beta. If you get caught — Tyler Shade, West Virginia ’13 doing it, you deserve what’s “People that are asking for the AO to be more proactive coming.” — Kevin Iacofano, never hear about the “I’ve gotten used to seeing Miami ’07 countless steps involved so many closures I don’t before the ultimate decision “I have shared, at times, in even read Beta materials to shut a chapter down.” the mistrust that many feel anymore. It’s not a culture — Len Levi, towards the Administrative problem in our chapters, South Florida ’94 Office, but I admire them for gentlemen, it’s an overstaying true to the mission sensitized, bureaucratic “#CULTivationoftheintellect” General Fraternity problem and values of Beta Theta Pi, — Matt Kubic, regardless of the chapter.” more concerned with press Virginia Tech ’15 — Luke Ivey, Kenyon ’12 releases than Brotherhood.” — Zane Cavender, SMU ’14
“Sometimes you have to sit your starting point guard for having one too many turnovers. But I bet when he gets back on the court in a couple years, he will be ready to handle the rock... or diamond.” — Tyler Pennick, Wichita State ’15
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