Students asked alumni to explain the reasons behind Beta Theta Pi fraternity's 1996 derecognition and to clarify their plans for the organization's future at Dartmouth at the second informational session held by the trustees of Dartmouth's Beta chapter Thursday evening. Female students, who made up about half of the 12-member audience, made substantial contributions to the discussion.
The trustees were asked to respond to 1991 reports of the torture of a member of Chi Gamma Epsilon fraternity by Beta members. Scott Sipple '84, co-chair of the Dartmouth Beta Board, said that the event was likely the result of "a couple of guys doing something stupid," and expressed the group's commitment to recruiting individuals that are willing to take responsibility for their actions.
One student asked the alumni group to explain the reasons behind the organization's removal from campus. Although Sipple originally addressed the group's history of alcohol violations, Dimitri Gerakaris '69, a member of the alumni group, interjected.
"It's plain it went beyond violation of alcohol," Gerakaris said. "There were people who were not respecting of other people's rights. We were every bit as aghast, if not more, than the general population."
A number of female audience members pushed the alumni group to clarify how the fraternity would attract the campus leaders that the Beta trustees have said would join the new organization.
Although noting the occasional success some fraternities have had in creating a culture of accountability and leadership, Tyler Frisbee '08 cautioned the group about the difficulty of consistently maintaining such an environment.
"What you guys are describing is something that has not been able to be recreated on the Dartmouth campus," Frisbee said.
Robert Bartles '64, a member of the Beta alumni group, said that he believed Dartmouth students are willing to work to enact change.
"I'm a little disappointed to hear you say that the culture here isn't going to allow this sort of thing to happen easily," Bartles said. "I've never met a Dartmouth student who, if challenged, wouldn't try to change things."
Sipple added that the alumni would work to promote a standard of behavior among future members, perhaps instituting periodic check-ins at the house or hiring a live-in advisor.
"Having had trouble with governance and behavior in the past, we're going to be even more acutely focused on those issues," he said.
Discussion focused primarily on the shortcomings of the current Greek system and the possibility of creating a new coeducational organization on campus.
Several female audience members pointed to a lack of what they termed a "mainstream" coeducational organization on campus and told the alumni group that they believed there would be widespread interest in such a group. These students also said that the creation of another coeducational organization might help to remedy problems in coed social interactions within the Greek system, as members primarily socialize in single-sex organizations.
Sipple pushed the audience to quantify student interest in such an organization.
"Your input has been fabulous tonight," Sipple said. "But we have to understand, is this just a handful of individuals or a really broad thing."
When this question was turned over to Dean of Residential Life Martin Redman, who was in attendance along with Director of Coed, Fraternity and Sorority Administration Deb Carney, Redman hesitated to offer a number representing the level of student interest.
"The conversation could take off. I think there would be some true interest in it," Redman said, adding that the recent discussion of gender issues on campus might heighten enthusiasm for such a group.
Bartles said a coeducational organization had been discussed by members of the group in the past. According to Bartles, when Dartmouth's original chapter of Beta was closed in 1996, the Dean of the College at the time, Lee Pelton, told Bartles and others that the house could avoid closure by becoming a coeducational organization. At that time, Bartles said, the group did not see the creation of such an organization as a viable option.
He also referenced a 1999 proposal he wrote with Ron Schram '64, which called for the formation of strong links between fraternities and sororities on campus in both social and community service aspects.
"We can now pursue some of the ideas that have been on the table, but the time wasn't right," Bartles said.
The group, however, remains primarily dedicated to re-recognition from Beta Theta Pi national fraternity.
"We still want to come back as Beta national. That's our ideal."Jeff Sassorossi '75, a member of the alumni group, told The Dartmouth following the meeting. "If that's the case, then the idea of a coed is a moot situation."
The male students in the audience told the alumni that their interest in the new organization lies in its potential to present an alternative to Dartmouth's current Greek offerings. Students and Beta alumni cited the potential to shape an organization of their own and the substantial Dartmouth Beta alumni support as appealing aspects of the new organization.
Conversation particularly centered on the organization's attitude towards alcohol, which Sipple termed a "de-emphasis."
"If you want an Animal House, don't come to Beta," Gerakaris said.
Several of the students said that a completely alcohol-free house would not be a reasonable option on the Dartmouth campus. Under Beta national rules, any new chapter of the organization must prohibit the use of alcohol within its physical plant.
