Once again the actions of one fraternity is overshadowing the positive aspects of greek life. The improved image of the greek community is being tarnished because some members could not keep up their GPAs.
Zeta Beta Tau fraternity got its charter suspended by the national headquarters for failing to meet Ball State University's all-men's GPA of 2.738.
Since 2002, eight Ball State University fraternities have been suspended, investigated or closed.
Delta Tau Delta has been suspended and investigated in the past three years for various incidences of theft and assault. Alpha Phi Alpha, although a chapter under the National Pan-Hellenic Council, was investigated after a fight and gunshots occurred at a party. Alpha Tau Omega, Delta Chi and Beta Theta Pi lost their charters because they could not make mortgage payments on loans co-signed by Ball State. Theta Xi lost its charter after a hazing incident.
The last fraternity to close its Ball State chapter was Lambda Chi Alpha in January 2005 after failing to meet minimum standards. Lynda Wiley, director of student life, said in the 2005 Daily News article that declining membership and mismanagement of funds contributed to the decision to close the chapter.
Despite the few fraternities that seem to consistently get in trouble, however, the greek community as a whole should not be looked down upon.
Of the 11 fraternities under the Interfraternity Council's guidance, most follow the rules. These fraternities should be commended for staying out of trouble and representing the greek community and Ball State in the best possible way.
For the couple fraternities that keep getting in trouble, straighten up. You are making the rest of the greeks look bad and you are making yourself look bad.
According to the 2007-2008 fraternity and sorority life goals and priorities in the greek strategic plan, fraternities and sororities are to be held more accountable.
For the Office of Student Life, IFC and Panhellenic Council it is no secret that some fraternities cause more problems than others. Maybe the Zeta Beta Tau incident will cause you to seriously follow that goal and look at each fraternity and evaluate the chapters.
If house members aren't fitting your standards, talk to the presidents and get the issue resolved - even if that means throwing them out. If a chapter isn't fitting your standards, don't just suspend it - think about getting rid of the house.
According to the five-year greek strategic plan that was released in March, in the upcoming years specific sessions will be held with chapters with the goal of developing individual chapter strategic plans. Chapters also will be assisted in creating or improving their internal judicial and standards boards, according to the plan.
What better way for the Office of Student Life to fix some of the fraternity's problems than to start now with those training sessions.
If most of the greek community is obeying the standards placed upon them then something right is happening.
Individual greek members shouldn't be happy with the actions of some fraternities. Those individuals must stand up and show greek life is more than partying and getting in trouble. The Office of Student Life needs to take serious action against those who get in trouble or not much will change.
The strategic plan was created to improve the image of greek life within the greek community and the university. It's time to show the plan is not just words and get rid of those in the community who do not fit that concept.
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