6 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2006
GREEK LIFE
Five members of Theta Chi fraternity suspended
BY DANI HURST
dhurst@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
After almost a month of waiting, five members of Theta Chi fraternity, 1003 Emery Road, found out they were officially suspended from the organization. E-mails were sent May 29; following a membership review that took place at the end of the spring semester. The review was conducted by the alumni Corporation Board of the Deta Psi chapter ofTheta Chi.
Some of the members were invited back, but are on academic probation.
Ryan Gerstner, president of the Corporation Board, said that the alumni had seen some unfavorable trends and that the Board was taking preemptive actions before it turned into a real problem. About 45 of the 68 members went through the review process, Gerstner said. Those who didn't were either graduating seniors or men who decided not to return next year.
"I'm personally excited about it!"
Gerstner said. "It gives the guys a clean slate. It gets them refocused on goals and being achievers. That's what Greek life is all about."
However, not everyone is as enthusiastic about the changes. Hunter McDowell, Indianapolis, Ind. junior, was one of the men not invited back to Theta Chi. He said he thinks it's unfair that the alumni can pick and choose who is in and who is out.
A newly-created Facebook group shows that McDowell is not alone in his sentiments. "Theta Chi rejects," of which McDowell is a member, has as its description the following: "A group for all those who have been freed from the tyranny of the Theta Chi Delta Psi chapter's alumni."
Doug Tiffany, Lenexa senior, creator of the group, declined comment.
According to the e-mail sent out, those who were not invited back will still have alumni status upon graduation.
The membership review process consisted of two main components; a written questionnaire
about grades and their leadership in the fraternity and an interview with a small group of alumni. In the interview, the men discussed what mistakes they might have made regarding property damage to the house and how they planned to better the fraternity next year.
The decision to conduct the review was made completely by the Corporation Board, without any input from either the national organization or the University.
Dave Westol, chief executive officer of Theta Chi fraternity, said that he was contacted by a member of the Corporation Board who was concerned about the fraternity and wanted to know how to conduct the review. Westol said he was supportive of the decision because it showed that the Board was taking responsibility for its house with the appropriate actions.
Reuben Perez, director of the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, confirmed that the University had no involvement in the decision, and said it's not uncommon for a chapter to go through this process.
"It doesn't mean they're in trouble," Perez said. "Sometimes the alumni want to change things."
One of the biggest changes in the house was to the executive board roster. The alumni replaced the president and vice-president. The vice-president was promoted to president, and the new vicepresident, Murtaza Khan, Wichita senior, was selected from the general membership of the house.
Brandon Dunklau, Olathe senior, and new Theta Chi president, said that it may look bad, but all Greek houses go through highs and lows.
"I think it will be a positive thing for the house," Dunklau said. "It needed to be done. It will be to the benefit of our house."
There is an appeal process for those members not invited back to the house. All appeals are to be no more than two pages long, typed and turned in by June 19 to Gerstner. It must also be accompanied by two letters of recommendation. Notifications of the Board's decisions are expected to be sent out July 19.
Joshua Bickel/KANSAN
"It seems to go against the motto of the house. Kicking people out doesn't seem like lending a helping hand."
Hunter McDowell, Indianapolis Ind., junior
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