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 By Carrie Chin / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS |
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| ZBT brothers have vacated their house to comply with the latest sanctions imposed by the IFC Judicial Board as part of their 2-year suspension. | |
"They were charged with violating the sanctions of their [previous] suspension," explained Bill Barnes, assistant dean of students and coordinator of Greek life. "Primarily, they conducted social events as an organization during the time they were suspended, and that was specifically prohibited by the provisions of the suspension.
The chapter had been serving a suspension as a result of an alcohol incident that took place on October 10, 1997. If the chapter had met the requirements included with the sanctions, the suspension would have been lifted for Fall Quarter 1998.
"They were conducting required educational programming, most of it related to alcohol. During [the term of the suspension], they were not to have any social events, basically no activity other than things like philanthropy or educational programming," said Barnes.
"There was a fair amount of effort to hide their actions from their alumni," continued Barnes. "Short of having an [alumnus] living in the house and attending every meeting that was ever known to occur, [the alumni] probably could not have known what was happening. [The social activity] went on for a period of several months before we knew about it, so it was pretty effectively hidden."
Since the chapter chose to waive the right to appeal the decision, the terms of the suspension take effect immediately. Chapter members who already planned to live in the chapter house over this summer could do so, but no brothers may remain in the house after September 5.
"Obviously we are disappointed with the situation," said Alumni Board of Trustees President Doug Bodner. "We are disappointed that the chapter violated the sanction, but we would have liked to have a chance to reorganize and keep the chapter open."
"We thought there were positive aspects of the chapter that could be built upon, namely a pretty good academic record, volunteer service, and a non-hazing plan," continued Bodner. "Apparently, Georgia Tech viewed the negatives as outweighing the positives."
The office of the Dean of Students is working with local alumni and the national fraternity to implement the sanctions. Officials hope that the positive working relationship will ease the recolonization process.
"We have had great cooperation from their alumni," said Barnes. "Their [alumni] have put a lot of effort into seeing that the sanctions are implemented correctly and that everything is done as it is supposed to be so. As a result, when the time period is up, the other criteria will be met and everything will be ready for them to hopefully come back and recolonize and have a successful group."
Although the chapter has been suspended through August 1, 2001, if certain requirements are met and an acceptable recolonization plan is produced, the recolonization may be permitted to begin at the beginning of the Fall Semester of 2000.
"We hope that [alumni] are going to get involved and be supportive of the new group," Barnes said.
"As soon as the time passes and the requirements to reopen the group are met in order that can happen, the [alumni] can come back and we can reestablish that connection with the Tech [alumni]. That is important to us; it is important to their fraternity."
In response to the suspension, the national Zeta Beta Tau organization has closed the chapter. All current brothers have been accorded alumni status.
"We will abide by the decision," said Bodner. "Hopefully we can reopen the chapter and recolonize as soon as possible."
"We hate to see a fraternity reach the point where we have to do some thing so drastic as to close the chapter for a period of time. ZBT has been at Georgia Tech since 1916, but we have to do what is necessary to insure that we are going to have good, high-performance chapters," said Barnes.