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Post by okinawatyphoon on Nov 2, 2010 22:04:45 GMT -5
rhl Fraternities do not exist to "publicize" their activities. They exist to for their members, not for the general university. But our motto that we followed was "Alma Mater first, Theta Chi for Alma Mater." Too bad our Alma Mater has little respect for us. I could go on for pages of the positive actions in the fraternity. That is why a strong fraternity has such a tight bond. As an undergrad, one of our actives was discovered to have cancer and had a portion of his leg amputated over Christmas break. When we returned, we were devastated. Then the roudy jock house decided to set the Guniess Book of World Record longest basketball game. Besides setting the record, putting tiny Valpo on the map just like Bryce Drew and raising money for the American Cancer Society, we created a campus event. I worked with other students to briefly reinstate the homecoming tradition of the German band roaming through campus signalling the end of classes and the beginning of homecoming weekend. Most professors let their students leave class. A decades old tradition was restarted, a unique social aspect. It must be the German in the Lutheran. A need to be dictators that have destroyed what was charmiing and unique. Fraternities helped the University grow from the 40's to the 80's. And by killing them, the University has declined. That is wonderful, and I have no doubt that Theta Chi was a great chapter back then. But Theta Chi, during my 4 years at Valpo (2006-2010), was not a chapter to be proud of (from the perspective of most students and Greek Life in general). Very little involvement in community activities, shady parties, many allegations of hazing, and next to no participation in intramurals or Greek Life events. If they were such a good chapter, why did they have such a hard time recruiting new members? From my perspective (and I think most recently graduated students would agree with me), Theta Chi got themselves kicked off. Again, I claim no knowledge of why they were kicked off (firsthand), I can only say what I have heard. Unfortunately, perception is reality.
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Post by gonesincethe70s on Nov 2, 2010 23:36:08 GMT -5
Oki A couple of thoughts. 1. How can there be Greek intramurals or Greek with five houses? But even back in my day, we were one of the top intramural programs, took a leadership role in bringing back Greek Week (do you still have bed races accros campus, tug of war?) In fact, check the archives, the bike races use to be the highlight of the Valpo year, on par with the Little 500. The race went down Union with a right turn at the bottom of the hill to Garfield, many wrecks). The current system is 5% of the past and the better greek systems. 2. We recognized that we needed to "upgrade" the fraternity. New facilitiy, more interaction with the guys. But a death sentence drives away support from 800 alumni for a multimillion dollar investment. And stopped support of the university as well 3. Your judgemental attitude reflects part of the problem with Greek life at VU today. Each fraternity should have its autonomy and self regulation. We don't have to report to the IFC or the administration. If so, VU is not a place for fraternities, or for that matter, any first amendment organizations. 4. No Greek system can exist without its autonomy. And who are you to judge another organization--"many allegations" (what about FACTS), "shady parties". The more important issue that you do address is that the quality of the house needed to be upgraded to survive. But again, who was harmed? Did an active file a formal complaint (including the alleged incident)? No victem, no crime. 5. Under the current administration, a fraternity cannot exist. So our demise might be the natural course. 6. You guys and the Phi Psi's remind me of Neidelmeier, sucking up to the university. How does it feel to be a pawn? Quite frankly, we could care less about other fraternities and did not care what they thought about us. But that creates diversity and allows people to developer stronger bonds. At least in our house, not too prevelent in others that are simply boarding houses (including yours in my day). 7. You can see that we have an image, where was the news when the Pikes, TKEs, PhiDelts, Lamda Chi's met their demise? A pin drop. We were the trophy. 8. seven down four to go. Do you even own your building? They were built by the University, no wonder three have been demolished!!
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Nov 3, 2010 9:51:47 GMT -5
70s: Again, you continue to speak about the past. This is not the same today. There may only be 8 fraternities now, but most participate actively in intramurals and have some type of signature community service activity -- not Theta Chi. And again, I claim no inside information about what happened with certain "incidents" (although I feel my judgement may be a little mroe accurate seeing as how I was actually on campus when these things happened), but even if I am completely wrong, what does it matter? Perception is reality in this situation, and Theta Chi seemingly did very little to try and change the campus's perception of themselves. And as for SigEp, we actually DO own our house and our land, and despite Theta Chi's demise (and apparently Greek Life and the university as a whole), we've continued to prosper. I don't see why Theta Chi could not have done the same.
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Post by gonesincethe70s on Nov 3, 2010 11:34:10 GMT -5
Oki, There you go again, you judge OX by the type of fraternity that you think is correct, not what they want to be. If they want to be a recluse group, that should be their prerogative. They don't want to take direction from Jenkins or this other light weight administrator and they do not want to be WEEP's. Now and when I was in school, we could care less what others thought of us. And we could care less about the other fraternities, it was great not being on Mound Street. We focus on our house and making it work for the brothers. Saying that, the Valpo Theta Chis had the most publicized fund raising event last year (basketball marathon). And in some recent university publication, OX led the Greeks in some service categories. And in my day, we dropped out of the Fraternity league and went independent for sports (Potatocheese) to dodge the special "Theta Chi rules" that banned our brothers participation. They put is in the Fraternity league anyway and we won all sports. I notice you go to great pains to highlight "incidents" and commenting on "perception is reality." You are both correct and respectful. But VU has violated national IFC rules by not providing adequate due process. Since Sig Ep is a member of the national IFC, you should be denouncing the actions of VU as well. All fraternities that are members of the national IFC pledge to do so. Sig Ep should be revoking your charter since you, like Nazi soldiers, stand idly by and allow atrocities to occur. You call the Valpo Greek system strong? 8 fraternities (you have to include Phi MU), two with adequate housing, three with substandard housing, and the rest "dorm clubs"). A total joke. There was an active program to determine if Theta Chi should remain at VU prior to this "incident". (We never took a back seat to the Sig Eps). However, concerns including inadequate enrollment, prohibition of athletes to join fraternities (Theta Chi was always 30 to 50% active athletes), trend toward non traditional students (single moms, late enrollees, international particularly third world), lack of Greek alternatives (that's right, instead of ten strong houses, there are now only two), and hostile administrative rules (dry houses--back in our day the VU rules were "no drinking on campus, fraternities are off campus"!!) makes a fraternity system infeasible at VU. It might not be worth the investment. There are plenty of other alternative schools. But again, in life, we exist on OUR terms, not totalitarian rule. We would rather take the highway than go the VU way.
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Nov 5, 2010 0:00:02 GMT -5
If you'd rather take the highway, then so be it. Clearly you think Theta Chi has never done anything wrong, but the university (and most students I've had contact with) think otherwise. I've never said that the Greek system on campus was perfect or "a strong system" now -- in fact, I was one of the few people who actually lamented the loss of another Greek organization even if wrongdoings had taken place. But if Theta Chi didn't care what other people (or the university thought of them), then they shouldn't care that they were kicked off because they showed no willingness to follow the rules, even if the rules are pointless or incorrect.
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Post by gonesincethe70s on Nov 5, 2010 12:10:38 GMT -5
Oki, Your last post is so contradictory, most specifically the comment "even if the rules are pointless or incorrect." Come on. Therein lies most of the problems. Read the rules and forms (at least those that are posted on the Valpo web site). You would think the school is running a day care center for three year olds. Not conducive to a vibrant fraternity scene or a real college for that matter. Then you have the school actively incarcerating students for drinking. Who would want to attend such an institution? As to your comments about breaking rules, I've gone over that. The process that resulted in the Theta Chi expulsion had NO DUE DILIGENCE. No witnesses, no ability to confront witnesses, actions based on hearsay. But that is what bugs the administration and guys from lesser fraternities as yours. The bonds of Theta Chi brotherhood are so tight that the university in partnership with our competitors cannot objectively convict the house of wrong doing. But then again, if there are no victims, why the intense scrutiny? Jealousy? Envy? I could better understand this entire matter if the Theta Chis trashed the Sig Ep house. But you guys were not affected. And as a Christian institution, I assume that the Sig Ep's have done NOTHING wrong. Remember the Biblical comment, "He without sin cast the first stone." Yet another, "Don't worry about the speck in my eye, worry about the log in YOUR eye." There is not an ounce of alcohol in the Sig Ep house? Back when I was in school, Theta Chi was the only fraternity to ban marijuana in the house. It was rampant in the Mound Street including the Sig Ep house. During the past 50 plus years of Theta Chi and its predecessor local chapter, many great brothers have passed through these halls. Five are on the VU Board. It is a shame to destroy such an institution. Just as it was a shame to do the same to the Pikes, Phi Delts, Lambda Chis, and TKE's. And excuse all of us not following the university rules for nap time like you guys do. Jenkins and Jones have destroyed this campus. Note that we spend the time because we valued the place, more than most VU alums!!!
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Post by redheadbed on Nov 5, 2010 19:38:13 GMT -5
As long as the Sig Tau house is open and clean, things at VU should be just fine.
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Post by moodboom on Nov 8, 2010 20:05:35 GMT -5
toadsftw
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Post by redheadbed on Nov 14, 2010 18:19:24 GMT -5
I remember getting drunk on Kamikazees at the Theta Chi house, while dancing to the (English) Beat.
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Post by drewsaders11 on Nov 21, 2010 18:23:24 GMT -5
70's guy...
You are contradictory. You build up your own brotherhood at Theta Chi, but then talk down the whole Greek system. Why would you want to be a part of the Greek system that you are so avidly against? Why not just take the whole organization underground?
And I'm pretty sure the final straw was a game of Donkey Kong with the pledges. Donkey Kong is the following, according to UrbanDictionary.com: "Donkey Kong is a party game where groups of individuals attempt to charge up a staircase while the "Donkey Kong" at the top tosses kegs at them in an attempt to slow their progress." During this event, a pledge got punched in the face. I am also pretty sure there were other ridiculous events during the rushing process. This clearly violates the no hazing rule set forth by the university. However, I am sure that you feel this promotes the "tight" brotherhood you speak of. I wouldn't know if being degraded to join a fraternity would add to the enjoyment of it, as SigEp doesn't haze. I wouldn't want to have kegs rolled at me.
Next, this year, at our dance party (as well as Phi Psi's the same night), a few ex-Theta's got into a few altercations, resulting in legal action. They were kicked out of PhiPsi, and eventually made their way over to SigEp. At SigEp, they would not leave after the party ended, and one individual specifically got into it with a few brothers. Nothing serious happened, and they left. However, they soon came back, began yelling racial slurs at a brother and his girlfriend, and eventually started a fight in which SigEps sustained two concussions.
So, yes, there have been numerous victims of Theta Chi's actions in the recent past.
Now I will comment on Greek life in general. I honestly wish there were more houses, to increase philanthropic endeavors (meaningful ones, not just letting girls chase you), intramural participation, and the public dance party scene. Incidents that occurred at Theta Chi only shoot the Greek system in the foot. Also, the university NEEDS to look into Greek Housing. The PhiPsi and SigEp houses are in dire need of replacements, and Sigma Chi's credibility is lacking without any house. This needs to be addressed in the upcoming Master Plan, and acted on, unlike the last Master Plan round.
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Post by gonesincethe70s on Nov 23, 2010 15:36:58 GMT -5
d11 Couple of comments. First, once again, you cite hearsay. I highly doubt actual kegs were thrown at pledges. Even the "tough stuff" from my era does not compare to that. The actions of this judicial board and quite frankly your attitude is the same as lynch mobs in the south. Second, there are no Theta Chi's left at VU, who knows what these guys have. I totally agree with your last comment. But I would add that a house is a stand alone group of guys supporting each other, not a social enterprise. While we along with the Phi Delts and Pikes dominated intramurals and Greek Week, we did not look down at the Weeps (the nick name for the Sig Eps) because they could not compete. (Although the Sig Ep house and parking lot were a nine iron away!!!!). "Victims of Theta Chi's actions." Has just ONE testified as such? I heard that that house needed to improve, but I really doubt that in the Valpo setting, any meaningful fraternity can exist. You said it all. Just two with junk houses. That is why VU is a great value, they have to give it away!!!
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Post by rlh on Nov 23, 2010 16:30:25 GMT -5
So far, all the examples quoted by those who "enjoyed" the Greek life, indicate why it should be abolished. Kegs rolled down the stair, getting drunk on kamikazees.....these are not "innocent" college pranks. You doth protest too much....if this is what it was like, then good ridance is my stand
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Post by vu72 on Nov 23, 2010 16:51:36 GMT -5
d11 Couple of comments. First, once again, you cite hearsay. I highly doubt actual kegs were thrown at pledges. Even the "tough stuff" from my era does not compare to that. The actions of this judicial board and quite frankly your attitude is the same as lynch mobs in the south. Second, there are no Theta Chi's left at VU, who knows what these guys have. I totally agree with your last comment. But I would add that a house is a stand alone group of guys supporting each other, not a social enterprise. While we along with the Phi Delts and Pikes dominated intramurals and Greek Week, we did not look down at the Weeps (the nick name for the Sig Eps) because they could not compete. (Although the Sig Ep house and parking lot were a nine iron away!!!!). "Victims of Theta Chi's actions." Has just ONE testified as such? I heard that that house needed to improve, but I really doubt that in the Valpo setting, any meaningful fraternity can exist. You said it all. Just two with junk houses. That is why VU is a great value, they have to give it away!!! I think you had better check your facts before you try to paint the current Valpo fraternity life with what went on during your time. I was a Phi Psi active from 67-71. I can tell you that the Phi Psi house was certainly at or near the top of fraternities during that time and appears to still be. Check out their website: www.valpophipsi.org/pkp/ It looks like about 50 actives and a fall pledge class of 12. Not to shabby. The house is paid for and has had new windows installed. I was among those who first occupied the "new" house. Is it a classic looking frat house? Nope, but neither was the "old" house which it replaced. That one went back to the turn of the century and looked it. Listen 70's guy, life has changed. I too remember great times and parties on Mound Street and at the OX house. Drinking, to that extent, will never happen again at any frat house anywhere. Fraternities are now, and in particular the Phi Psis (only because I know about them) about what we professed to be all along. Socially responsible and more about studying and brotherhood than getting smashed and punching somebody. I would like to see a new house built for the Phi Psis and other houses but who will pay for it? If the University does then you are again answering to their demands. Besides, college kids don't care about fancy woodwork and china. Maybe they did at the OX house!!
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Post by drewsaders11 on Nov 25, 2010 13:55:26 GMT -5
I wasn't citing hearsay. I knew a pledge at Theta in its last semester gaining pledges. He was one who bought into what they did, and and through someone he knows, I found out that kegs were rolled down stairs at them, so that is accurate.
And Greek life at Valpo isn't all negative. SigEp offers some great experiences, regardless of the old house, which is in the best shape in can be in. Greek life at Valpo, done right, offers the balance of the good education with an outlet for leadership and fun that you wouldn't experience in the dorms. Also, there are still about 30% of students in Greek Life, so it isn't really dying off as much as some on this post make it seem.
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Post by redheadbed on Nov 26, 2010 20:01:01 GMT -5
I do not know why the Theta Chis got a rap as the "tough guy meatheads" on campus. Every fight I ever saw between a Theta Chi and a Sig Tau was won by the Sig Tau, mopping the floor with the Theta Chi.
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