2008 Woodie Awards
Theta Chi reorganized by headquarters, moving forward
Craig Sauer, Editor-in-chief
- Page 1 of 1
In response to a College Days article published last semester, the local chapter of the Theta Chi fraternity underwent a reorganization over winter break.
About a dozen members of the fraternity have been suspended from active status and a new executive board has been selected in their annual elections.
"It was difficult for us," says junior Ed Hansen, the new chapter president. "But it is probably going to make us stronger."
The article, which caused the fraternity to be placed on suspension during the interview process, and has left them currently under probation from headquarters, was published Nov. 2.
It centered around an ongoing debate among the brothers about the chapter's alcohol status and its connection to incidents on the night of a Theta Chi lounge party.
Two representatives from the International Headquarters interviewed each brother in Ripon and decided which brothers would be invited back as active members.
Representatives from the International Theta Chi Headquarters refused to comment about any of the findings of an internal investigation.
"[International Headquarters] has annouced to the Delta Omega Chapter that we will be undergoing reorganization due to past events and the need to redirect the views and goals of the chapter," according to a statement found on the fraternity's website, which was posted by junior fraternity brother Andrew Kitslaar.
Those members who were not invited back to the fraternity will be under suspension until they graduate, according to Hansen. If they agree to the terms, they will be admitted as "alumnus in good standing."
No names were released.
Although the fraternity has been allowed to go back to normal, they will remain under probation.
Hansen says this will most likely require the fraternity to send reports to headquarters.
"The house is responding very positively," says Hansen. "We are very optimistic about this next semester."
The fraternity held their bid day lounge party last weekend and plans to participate in Relay for Life and other volunteer opportunities over the next semester.
Junior Zac Hagenbuch as vice president and sophomore Kevin Goyert as secretary are also among the new chapter officers. Sophomore Adam Ronchetti is the treasurer and Shane Ebel, sophomore, is the Marshal.