OK, maybe it’s bad form to blog twice in a row, but my blood pressure is up, and it’s up because I am glad to be a Lambda Chi and a fraternity man, and I am ticked off at an email I received from a brother fraternity’s executive director this week.

Last month, one of our local IFC chapters was placed under suspension by the University of Maryland Baltimore County for three years for violation of several university standards, including underage drinking, sexual misconduct, providing alcohol at a recruitment event, prostitution at a recruitment event, and recruitment of academically-ineligible men. The chapter in question was found guilty of the charges by the university’s Hearing Board, and the decision was upheld by the university’s Appeals Board, and finally, the vice president of student affairs. Under the terms of the suspension, the chapter was to have no presence on campus, could not recruit new members, wear letters or pins, or otherwise be identified. The chapter was levied a monetary fine, and required, prior to being reinstated, to complete a program on alcohol abuse and acceptable rush and pledge practices.

In short, the chapter was not slapped on the wrists, nor were they denied due process. It is clear to even the casual observer that the chapter was caught doing several things wrong (and given what was found, one can rightly wonder what else they were not caught doing), charged with the violations, and found guilty.

So, you can imagine our surprise when we found that the chapter’s web site was still up and running, and they were holding rush events this month. The undergraduates in Phi-Delta began to talk about it, rightly expressing concern, and then brought me into the loop. I checked out the reports of the suspended chapter’s operation, and then, in the interest of good fraternal relations, send the following email (names withheld) to the general fraternity headquarters in question:

My fraternal Brother <NAME>:

I am the chancellor/chapter advisor for the Lambda Chi Alpha chapter at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. I was saddened to hear that the brothers of the <FRATERNITY> chapter here were placed on suspension by the university, as the disciplinary action, and reasons for it, shed a bad light on all of the Greek community. I do hope that, in time, the chapter will be permitted to resume operations.

However, several of my undergraduate members brought to my attention the web site of your UMBC chapter (DELETED). The chapter clearly has no intention of living under its suspension, or so it appears, because its web site is clearly announcing the chapter’s participation in the Fall 2007 rush cycle. This seems to be in direct conflict with the actions of the university, of which I am sure your office has been previously informed.

In the interest of fraternal good will, I bring this to your attention, and respectfully ask that you, or your appropriate officer, investigate the situation and encourage these young men to stand down, if you will, as they have been required by the university.

I wish you and the men of <FRATERNITY> a successful new school year.

<

p>Cordially and fraternally yours,.

Art

<

p>Art Hebbeler, Butler ‘82 (AA 1038) High Pi (Chancellor/Alumni Advisor) Phi Delta Zeta of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity

 

So far, so good… The next day, I received the following response:

Pastor Hebbeler,

Thank you for your inquiry.

The officers of the national fraternity of <FRATERNITY> have chosen not to accept the decision of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County reference our standing there.

Our attorney has made this position known to the university based upon the sanctions which our board believes to be excessive and in violation of their consititutional rights.

The chapter will remain open under the jurisdiction of the board of the national fraternity and in accordance with the right of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.

Interfraternally,

 

<NAME> Executive Director

“You have got to be kidding me!” I thought.

I am confident that if Phi-Delta Zeta, or any other Zeta did any one of the six things which the chapter in question did, our Grand High Zeta would be closing the Zeta faster than one could say “Bye-Bye!”  I can’t think of a time when Lambda Chi Alpha ever told a university “Sorry, but we’re going to keep the chapter open and active, even though you don’t want us here.”

I’m glad to be a Lambda Chi, and will stand with my brothers as they continue to put pressure on the University of Maryland Baltimore County leadership to enforce the decision lawfully made in the case of this chapter.   Further, I have forwarded copies of this correspondance (with names) to the appropriate authorities at the university, and offered any assistance to them necessary.

I hurt when I hear any report of a Zeta being closed–or a chapter of any of our brother fraternities or sister sororities–because the closure often happens because of mistakes in the chapter that undoubtedly reflect poorly on Greek men and women in general. At the same time, I am so glad to be a part of a general fraternity with standards of conduct and behavior–locally and internationally–that would not condone misconduct nor tell a university official to “stick it” when asked to cease operations.

I’m sure there will be more to this story.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 19th, 2007 at 3:02 pm and is filed under Campus Involvment, General Fraternity, Leadership, Obligations, University Relations . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.