After a rough year for the fraternities at Ohio University, Beta Theta Pi hoped to improve the relationships with the university and Greek Life by hosting a barbeque for administrators and faculty Saturday.
Guests included the executive board of the Women's Panhellenic Association, the executive board of the Interfraternity Council and Carol Preston, assistant director for Greek Life.
President Roderick McDavis, Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi and Vice President for Student Affairs Kent Smith did not attend because of scheduling conflicts.
I thought it would be a nice idea to show (administrators) into the house and promote what we're doing
said Drew Urban, president of OU's Beta Theta Pi chapter. (Show them) that we are not the stereotype especially with the news lately on this campus.
The cookout came four months after OU's chapter of Delta Tau Delta was suspended for five years after a university investigation deemed they hazed two pledges at a November initiation event.
The investigation and suspension came after two pledges were hospitalized, and a separate investigation by Athens law enforcement forced the chapter to pay $10,000 to each of the hospitalized students.
During Winter Quarter I felt like people had a very bad feeling of fraternities which is why recruitment numbers were so low
said Alex Browning, public relations chair for OU's Beta Theta Pi chapter. We are trying to help advocate a positive light for Greek Life and get away from the whole
Delta situation.
Guests were able to enjoy food prepared by the members of the fraternity as well as compete in games of corn hole in the front yard. Members showed interested guests around their house while explaining the significance and importance of Greek life.
I am very pleased that Beta took the initiative to plan this event
Preston said. I think that this is just a baby step and that there is some work that needs to be done to rekindle (faculty
Greek life) relationships. ... This is something that needed to be done.
Delta Tau Delta was the second fraternity kicked off campus in the last ten years.
In 2003, OU's Sigma Chi chapter was suspended from campus for three years for infractions including false report of emergency and unauthorized use of alcoholic beverages.
Urban said he hopes events such as the cookout can change the perception of Greek life
on campus.
We are trying to alienate that stereotype
he said. There are a lot of good things that Greek life does.
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Olivia Arbogast
