Several issues ago I wrote an article regarding the status of a re-colonization of our beloved Theta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi. It has been awhile since this topic has been discussed.
Last summer key members of the house corporation met in Oxford, OH to discuss steps to be taken to reestablish the oldest chapter at OWU. Four trustees attended and were joined by Michael Wolford, Miami ’04, Director for Operations and Education who explained the steps necessary for a successful re-colonization. Most importantly, there needs to be interest and support from the alumni of Theta Chapter. Without interest and support of her alumni, Theta chapter will remain dormant. Support and interest comes in a variety of forms. The first step is through financial donations due to expenses of the General Fraternity. To ensure a quality expansion, the General Fraternity sends a number of Administrative Office staff members, typically three or four, to the college campus to recruit top tier students. There is a staff presence on campus between four to six weeks prior to the start of the formal pledging process and ultimately at least one representative will stay on campus to ensure proper pledge education. This takes a great amount of manpower and has a cost that our alimni would need to support through donations.
Another way to support this effort is by agreeing to serve as either a Chapter advisor or as a trustee on the house corporation. This takes a significant commitment of ones time, but is an important part of the process. The advisors support the chapter by giving advice to their officers and members on chapter operations and values-based decisions. The house corporation helps to generate money to send men to summer leadership programs such as the John and Nelly Wooden Institute for Men of Principle and Leadership College.
They would also help raise funds to ensure a successful living environment if the chapter were to choose to live together.
To demonstrate results of a recent expansion project, I would like to share some statistics from the UVA, the soon to be re-colonized Omicron chapter. The General Fraternity staff recruited 68 re-founding fathers, with a combined G.P.A. of 3.53, approximately .50 over the all-men’s average. There is a considerable size difference between OWU and UVA, but we should expect the same quality result. The staff uses the message of the Men of Principle initiative to recruit re-founding fathers when they re-colonize. This includes a statement against hazing, an alcohol-free house when applicable, the highest of academic standards and a commitment to high moral conduct and civic engagement.
I recently had a conversation with Allison Bressler, Assistant Director of Student Involvement for Greek Life, about the possibility of Theta Chapter returning to OWU. She was interested in seeing the chapter’s return, but mentioned that the campus could not fully support an expansion for a couple of years. She is aware of how Beta Theta Pi supports its chapters and colonies, its undergraduates and its alumni, and its officers. I explained how Beta Theta Pi would not re-colonize without the approval and support of the OWU administration and the campus community, which was reassuring to her. We discussed how Beta Theta Pi and chapter alumni would work cooperatively to ensure that the chapter would be successful. One of the reasons that the OWU campus is not currently ready for an expansion project is that since the Theta Chapter’s closure in 2001, there have been three other chapters closed due to membership and risk management issues, and a fourth has lost their house because of its deterioration. Further, an organization attempted to colonize but did a very poor job, and ultimately it was not a success. The last and most important reason is that for two or three years, OWU did not have a staff member dedicated solely to the Greek Community, which caused some erosion within fraternity and sorority chapters. With the hiring of Allison, OWU is making a commitment to their students and alumni that Greek life is an important aspect of the college community. Fraternities have been on campus over 155 years, and many of its prominent alumni are Greek. The administration recognizes and supports fraternal organizations, realizing that when these groups are truly dedicated to their principles and values they can make a significant difference in the lives of the young men and women at OWU.
We also discussed the housing situation at OWU with regards to the fraternities. I mentioned there were some alumni who were upset the Theta Chapter was not given the guarantee of returning to our house on the “Hill”, but I also said there are others who just want a chapter to visit at homecoming and alumni weekends. It is my opinion that we should concentrate on returning to campus and then think about potential housing solutions. As one who lived on the “Hill”, I will always have a fondness for the house located at 8 Williams Drive, but I do believe a house is just bricks and mortar; the chapter is about bonds between men. A house is not a necessary component to chapter‘s success. My conversation with Allison concluded on a positive note. The campus administrators are interested and want to continue conversations with Beta about a potential time line for our return.
I did ask that as they discuss potential re-colonization with other fraternal organizations that they keep the Theta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi in their minds.
Ultimately it is up to us, the alumni of Theta Chapter. If we want to see the return of our beloved chapter, we have to be willing to donate our time, talents, and treasure to ensure her success. I personally am willing to dedicate myself to the successful return of Theta Chapter. I hope you are as well. If so please contact me at admus1641@msn.com or 216.346.3420 as I am more than willing to discuss with you further.
Editor’s Note: Eric Eickhoff, a 2000 graduate of OWU, recently earned his M.Ed from William & Mary in 2007 and currently working as Asst. Dir. of Alumni Programs for the William & Mary Alumni Assoc. Prior to receiving his M.Ed, Eric worked for three years at Beta Theta Pi Admin. Offices in Oxford as a Sr. Ed. Consultant. Recently, he was appointed General Fraternity Archivist, a volunteer position requiring considerable commitment of time and travel.
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