Chapter Situations

Hyrum Smith, Chairman of the Board of Franklin International Institute, defined addiction as, “compulsive behavior with shortterm benefits and long-term destruction.” According to this definition, some of the most risky behavior fraternity men engage in, such as: alcohol abuse, drug use, hazing, fights, vandalism, etc. could be considered an addiction.

These addictions are obviously powerful, for these behaviors are not new to the college fraternity. Yet, they continue even though history contains literally hundreds of examples of how these addictions have destroyed lives and ended the existence of countless fraternity chapters.

So why do these addictions occur? Hyrum Smith felt, “addictive behavior is the result of deep and unmet needs.” If this is true, then many fraternity chapters across North America are simply not meeting the needs of their members.

What are our members’ needs? Again according to Smith, virtually every person has the following four basic needs: 1) live/survive, 2) feel important, 3) love and be loved, and 4) variety. Addictions may help meet these needs temporarily, but in the end they cannot sustain those needs and will eventually result in destruction, unless there is a change in behavior.

While it is tempting to itemize examples of fraternity addictions that resulted in destruction, the reality is that they are far too numerous to list. The ever-increasing insurance premiums for fraternities speak to this fact.

The policies and guidelines on the preceding page, which Delta Chi shares with many other fraternities and sororities, exist to help prevent these tragic experiences from occurring. It is the Fraternity’s belief that chapters can operate within these policies and guidelines, while still meeting the needs of their members. In fact, the Fraternity provides “The Party Continues” (a booklet with over 100 social event ideas), “Building Better Brotherhood” (a booklet with 58 Brotherhood Events), a Pre-Initiation BRIEF (with 38 different activities from which to choose) and a Membership Education BRIEF (which outlines a model Associate Member Program). Moreover, the Fraternity provides additional educational opportunities through the Jackson Leadership College, the Convention, Regional Conferences, and Leadership Consultant visits. Ironically, we still hear statements like, “you only tell us what we can’t do and never tell us what we can do.”

Hyrum Smith’s quotes are from a video entitled “The Franklin Reality Model,” produced by the Franklin International Institute Inc. Copyright 1990.

Risk Management Violations Despite Delta Chi’s efforts to educate, the Fraternity continues to have chapters and individual members engage in risky behaviors. That is not to say the chapters on the following list are “bad” chapters. Likewise, it is unrealistic to assume that chapters that are not on this list are complying with every policy. The bottom line of this issue is that members of the Fraternity are engaging in certain “addictions” and taking unnecessary risks with their future and the future of Delta Chi, because they believe these addictions will help fill voids where their needs are not being met. Whatever the case, the solution remains the same. Each and every chapter needs the involvement of mature alumni who can help the Fraternity’s student members discover that there are alternatives to addictions that can meet both their long and short-term needs.

Chapter/Colony Violation Level Arizona Alcohol V Central Michigan Hazing I Hayward Alcohol II Lake Forest Hazing I Northern Colorado Alcohol I Penn State Alcohol II Rhode Island Alcohol III Rowan Alcohol III Southern Illinois Hazing I Valdosta Alcohol/Hazing III Virginia Tech Alcohol III West Chester Alcohol III

*Currently seven (7) chapters/colonies are awaiting adjudication due to alleged violations of the Fraternity’s Risk Management Policy.

Corrective Action Levels

Level 1—Level 1 Corrective Action shall include, but is not limited to, ordering that the Chapter cease and desist from the conduct in the future and be in accordance with the requirements of Delta Chi Law and the Risk Management Policy of the Fraternity. The Chapter shall be required to submit to the Executive Director a written statement that all prohibited conduct has stopped. The statement shall be signed by the “A”, “BB” and such other members of the Chapter, as specified in the report, who were involved with or had supervision over the conduct in the violation.

Level 2—Level 2 Corrective Action shall include, but is not limited to, all provisions of Level 1, plus the Chapter shall submit a written plan of procedures and/or activities that comply with the Fraternity’s Risk Management Policy covering the activities in the violation. The plan shall be updated at least twice per year for the period of corrective action.

Level 3—Level 3 Corrective Action shall include, but is not limited to, all provisions of Levels 1 and 2, plus supervision of the activities of the Chapter that were involved in the violation by a person or persons acceptable to the Executive Director.

Level 4—Level 4 Corrective Action shall include, but is not limited to, all provisions of Levels 1, 2 and 3, plus the charter of the Chapter shall be suspended for the period of time of the corrective action. Chapters under Level 4 Corrective Action shall either be placed in conservatorship, as provided in Delta Chi Law, or shall operate under the direct supervision of the Executive Director.

Level 5—Level 5 Corrective Action shall require the suspension of the charter and the cessation of operation of the Chapter as it then exists. Re-establishment of the Chapter shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Board of Regents after a minimum one-year period.