I am very upset about recent developments at the Beta Theta Pi chapter at Ohio University where my son is a member. He is a third-year engineering major who has never been in trouble. I recently spoke to a high-ranking university official who filled me in on some unanswered questions regarding a recent investigation.
Apparently, there were reports of alcohol consumption in common areas of the Beta house. A boy from a different fraternity filed a complaint with OU Greek Life, who then investigated and informed the national chapter what they discovered. Before OU finished its own investigation, Beta nationals decided to close the house and remove all of the current students by Feb. 9. When the men in the house were informed of this, they were also told that Beta would be gone for seven to 10 years if they decided to put up a fight. The official I talked to, however, said he'd be surprised to see Beta absent for more than one year, considering the minor offenses that were committed. University Judiciaries has yet to complete its own findings or issue any penalty. The boys were given little more than a week to find new housing and move in, and this eviction came during the middle of midterm exams. How do you find housing for a four-month term and then rent moving trucks when you are under the age of 21?
During their tenure, the members have never had a serious incident in the Beta house. My son was very proud to be a Beta and the friendships he has made have become an important part of his life. According to him, he has a house full of brothers. Well, it seems to me that some of his brothers at the national chapter have thrown these men into the street and under the bus.
Brothers typically look out for each other instead of turning their backs after a little pressure. Can Beta nationals and the advisers honestly say they did all they could to help this chapter? Did Beta nationals intervene and offer guidance to these young men? It does not appear as if they threw their full support behind their chapter at OU. Rather, it looks as if they couldn't wait to get rid of my son and his fellow actives.
Do the members have a responsibility to behave? Of course they do. Have they made some mistakes? Yes. Apparently there have been numerous minor violations during the past five or six years, but these younger men are taking the brunt of the penalty. Is that really fair? How about the 10 new initiates? Is it fair to them? These are questions that need answers. Not for me but for the young men who have been stabbed in the back by an organization that supposedly preaches brotherhood and trust.
Ron Salim resides in Bay Village, Ohio.
4 Opinion
