Beta Theta Pi fraternity's national convention decided against returning the Dartmouth chapter's charter at its national convention last weekend.
Beta District Chief William Hunt said the local chapter did not get its charter back because it has yet to meet all of the sanctions placed on it.
"Basically, there are things in the sanctions that won't occur until later on in the year," Hunt said in an interview from his home in Bangor, Maine.
After a hazing incident last fall, the College, Beta's national organization and Beta's trustees all imposed harsh sanctions on the house.
For example, the College suspended the house's recognition for a year and the trustees and the College both banned alcohol in the house for two terms.
Beta Summer President Philip Ferrera '96 said because of the recent problems of the house, he is not surprised that the house did not get its charter back.
Three years ago, Beta also was severely sanctioned after 10 brothers kidnapped and tormented a Chi Gamma Epsilon fraternity brother.
"I don't think our behavior has merited getting our charter back," Ferrera said. He said he thinks the national convention was "justified" not to return the house's charter.
He did say that before the convention he thought that the house would get its charter back.
Ferrera said things have been going very well over the summer.
"Anyone who has been by the house has seen the noticeable difference," he said. "We've tried to have more of an intellectual focus this summer."
For example, he said the house invited English Professor Bill Cook over to read poetry, and Ferrera said most of the brothers attended that reading.
"The '96 class in Beta is different that the other classes," he said. "It's still a football house, but I think our attitude is totally different &emdash; we know where our priorities are. Everyone has pitched in."
"I do think that if we keep on track, if things keep running smoothly like they have been … I'm sure by the next national convention we will get our charter back," he said.
Beta also has to redo its new member initiation progress, which Hunt said obviously can not be done until this fall.
Ferrera said the house is excited that the College is allowing Beta to hold rush this fall. He said the house is working on a new pledge manual.
Because Beta does not have its national charter, it does not have control over the day-to-day running of its chapter.
"Basically, the undergraduates are no longer responsible for the operation and decision making of the chapter &emdash; that function is now being handled by the general fraternity," Hunt said.
Hunt said he is not sure when Beta will get its charter back. He said the house is working on meeting its sanctions, but still has a ways to go.
"I think progress has been a little slow so far," he said. "There are only twenty or twenty-five guys around this summer … Things will go a lot more smoothly once everyone is around and there are more hands to help out."
John Burnett '71, Beta's trustee president, said he is not sure how the house is doing in meeting its trustees' sanctions, which include the alcohol ban and the formation of an in-house judicial board.
"From what I've heard, things are on schedule and going very well, but I don't know very much about the details," he said. He said he would know more after Beta's trustees meeting this weekend.
The Coed Fraternity Sorority Judicial Council found Beta guilty of seven of 10 charges in the spring after the alleged fall hazing incident.
The CFS Judicial Council is a group made up of four students from the different branches of the Greek system that adjudicates alleged Greek house violations.
Beta's recognition as a College organization was suspended for a year by Dean of Residential Life Mary Turco on the recommendation of the CFS Judicial Council.
Turco said she has been out of town for two weeks, and does not know exactly how Beta has been doing handling its sanctions.
She did say that Ferrera has been "extremely conscientious" about improving the house.
Ferrera credited Beta's programming chair Justin Moscardelli '96 and Abe Rife '96 for working hard to improve the house.
"We acknowledge that we have a lot to offer to the Dartmouth community … and we are trying to live up to the potential we have to offer the community," Ferrera said.
He said he is not worried that Beta members from the Class of 1995 will return in the fall and retard some of the house's progress.
"We're really confident in the '95 class. They're a really good class," he said.
"It's going to be different because the house will be much larger," he continued. "I'm confident that we'll keep it up &emdash; I'm not a hundred percent sure it will be in the same way."
