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Suspension of Beta Zeta Epsilon Chapter
at Univ. of Maryland
Dear Brothers:
(Dec. 3, 2009)
Due to a series of risk management and policy violations which have occurred over the last few years, I have the very unpleasant duty to inform you that, effective December 2, 2009, National President Philip M. Waxberg issued an immediate suspension of the charter of the Chapter. The Supreme Council will consider revocation of the charter at its earliest opportunity.
This means that Beta Zeta Epsilon of ZBT at the University of Maryland must end all operations during this suspension. This decision came following a long series of conversations with the administration at the University of Maryland. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at the University has also removed recognition of ZBT.
In accordance with Article IV, Section 6 the Constitution of Zeta Beta Tau, only the Supreme Council, at its next meeting, is authorized to revoke the charter of a chapter. Beta Zeta Epsilon will have the opportunity to have their case be heard at the next regular or special meeting of the Supreme Council.
Beta Zeta Epsilon enjoyed many years of success at the University of Maryland and we are saddened by the decisions made in recent years by undergraduates that have led the Fraternity to this difficult decision. In the event that the Supreme Council does revoke the charter of Beta Zeta Epsilon at its next regular or special meeting, the Fraternity will plan a return to campus in the future and will look forward to identifying a group of men who are in alignment with our Ritual, Mission, and Credo.
We thank those Beta Zeta Epsilon alumni who have given their time and expertise in recent years to assist the undergraduate leadership. We wish we could have come to a different result. Should you have any questions please contact me directly at 317-334-1898 or via email at lbolotin(at)zbtnational.org.
Cordially, Fraternally, and Sincerely,
Laurence A. Bolotin
ZBT, Executive Director
Dec. 3, 2009
Dear Brothers:
(Dec. 10, 2009)
Please excuse the mass email. I have been overwhelmed in the number of passionate responses I have received since notification of the suspension of Beta Zeta Epsilon’s charter that was sent out last week. First, thank you for taking the time to respond and for asking very important questions. I have done my best to answer all of the questions that have been asked below.
What events led to this decision?
For the last two years Beta Zeta Epsilon has experienced several significant problems as it relates to holding members accountable for their actions along with a lack of the ability to follow policies including non-pledging, non-hazing, and risk management. In fall 2007, we investigated an alleged hazing incident and the Chapter was found to be running a pledge process that clearly was a violation of ZBT’s policy. The chapter underwent a membership review and expelled many of the members who appeared to be part of the problem. The officers were removed and a new set of officers were trained and installed. In the fall 2008 semester, the Chapter was again found to be running a pledge process that remained in violation of policies. During this process it was brought to our attention that activities were taking place in the chapter house that, once again, violated ZBT’s non-pledging and non-hazing policies. A series of expulsions took place again and a new set of officers were put into place. The chapter appeared to be getting back on track during the spring 2009 semester. In October 2009 the executive board officers were asked to meet with campus administrators, their chapter alumni advisors, as well as representatives from the National Fraternity. This meeting was called because we noticed that the Chapter had started to, once again, fall behind on expectations of the Fraternity and University and we wanted to take another proactive role in helping the chapter. At that time, the undergraduate officers assured us that the Chapter was making smart choices, changing its image on campus, and was dedicated to the values and principles of Zeta Beta Tau. Less than one month later, police were issued a warrant to search the room of two of those present at that meeting to recover illegal substances from the room. This police investigation is still ongoing.
What did the National Fraternity do to help the chapter during all of these challenges?
Beta Zeta Epsilon, for many years, was known as an outstanding chapter of Zeta Beta Tau. When we saw the chapter begin to struggle we made it a priority to do everything we could to ensure its success. Some of these things included:
• Staff members and volunteers of ZBT went to campus to conduct two separate membership reviews to assist the chapter in identifying those members who should remove themselves from the organization.
• Staff members worked with the new officers, on each occasion, to help them understand their role in the Fraternity, how to hold their members accountable, and ways to enhance their programming in the organization.
• Staff members worked with the undergraduate leadership to design and implement a new brotherhood program to be sure that the incidents that took place in fall 2007 were never repeated.
• The National Fraternity worked with the current alumni advisors to identify additional local alumni that were willing to get more involved in the day-to-day operations of the organization. Alumni attended weekly chapter meetings and frequently met with the undergraduate leadership to assist in mentoring them.
• The National Fraternity sent a staff member to stay in College Park for nearly a month to train officers, chairmen, and to assist the chapter in obtaining an overall understanding of what it means to be a chapter of ZBT.
• The National Fraternity ensured that the undergraduate leadership was in attendance at all local, regional, and national leadership programs to assist the undergraduate members in their general leadership development.
• A staff member visited campus on nearly a monthly basis to ensure that plans were being followed up on.
• Conference calls were set up frequently with the undergraduate leadership and their assigned staff liaison.
• The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life conducted weekly meetings with the undergraduate leadership to assist in their hopeful success.
Where does Beta Zeta Epsilon currently stand?
The University of Maryland has withdrawn recognition from the Chapter and Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity has suspended the charter of the Chapter. The Chapter will have the opportunity to have their case be heard in front of the Vice President of Student Affairs. The Chapter can submit a written show cause notice to the Fraternity’s discipline panel as to why their charter shouldn’t be revoked.
What happens to the house at 14 Fraternity Row?
Because the University withdrew recognition from the Chapter and because they own and operate the Chapter house, the current undergraduates have been told that they must move out at the end of this semester. The National Fraternity is not in control over housing at the University of Maryland and therefore did not have involvement in that part of the decision. Some of the younger alumni have assisted in removing memorabilia from the chapter house so that we can preserve items like composites, etc.
What happens if the chapter’s show cause isn’t successful?
The University’s typical policy is to remove chapters from campus for at least 4 years to give an opportunity for all current students to graduate. As for the housing, the University has not typically made any guarantees that a chapter will have a house when they return other than guaranteeing a “first right of refusal” when a property becomes open. According to their current practice, there is no guarantee that ZBT would be back at 14 Fraternity Row.
What does ZBT plan to do to get back to campus and back into 14 Fraternity Row?
ZBT will be developing a plan to present to the University of Maryland that would bring Beta Zeta Epsilon back to campus as early as spring 2012 with a guarantee that Beta Zeta Epsilon would be able to return to 14 Fraternity Row shortly after that. Should this plan be accepted by the University it would be significantly different than the way they have handled other groups who have been removed from campus.
How can alumni help in making an early return and move back into the house a possibility?
Alumni can assist by expressing to us your support in working with a chapter of ZBT at the University of Maryland in an alumni advisory role. For any chapter to be strong and successful they need many alumni working with them in the areas of leadership development, mentoring, risk awareness, officer training, and more. If the Chapter does end up being removed from campus by ZBT then we will look at re-colonize hopefully as early as spring 2012 and will need alumni ready and willing to become actively engaged. Strong alumni support being communicated to the University can also assist ZBT in working toward the hopes of retaining 14 Fraternity Row. We plan to encourage the University to look at a temporary sublet of this property to another organization only until ZBT is ready to move back in.
Brothers, as previously stated the chapter has an opportunity to show cause as to why the charter should not be removed by the Supreme Council. This decision will not affect the University’s decision to remove recognition and housing. The University has a separate appeals process and questions regarding that process should be directed to the University.
I have had several conversations with alumni in the last week and have expressed our continuous support in discussing options to ensure a successful chapter at the University of Maryland.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Cordially, Fraternally and Sincerely,
Laurence A. Bolotin
Executive Director
Dec. 10, 2009
_____________________
Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity
3905 Vincennes Road, Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(317) 334-1898
www.zbt.org
lbolotin(at)zbtnational.org
Dear Brothers:
(Dec. 30, 2009)
As you may be aware, the University of Maryland has revoked its recognition of our fraternity at the University. This action comes after several years of policy violations by the Chapter. The most recent issue was a result of an allegation of brothers distributing illegal substances from the chapter house. The house has now been vacated and ZBT is no longer allowed to operate as a fraternity on campus.
A couple of weeks ago, several of us met with the Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Linda Clement, as well as Matt Supple, Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Laurence Bolotin, Executive Director for ZBT, also attended the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was: a) to attempt to overturn the decision to revoke recognition, b) in the case that the decision isn't changed, to re-colonize as quickly as possible with a goal of two years versus the University's proposed four years, and c) to save 14 Fraternity Row to ensure that ZBT can move back into the property upon a successful re-colonization.
Last week we were informed that a final decision has been rendered whereby we will lose our house at 14 Fraternity Row - the very house where our fraternity has been located throughout the past 48 years. ZBT would have the right to re-colonize in four years, but at a different location. We would have the "first right of offering" on a house if and when it became available, but that would not attach any guarantee that it would be 14 Fraternity Row.
We followed up with an email to Dr. Clement pleading with her to not take away our house. She called, and in the ensuing conversation said that they would review the issues upon return in January. We were told that it would be unprecedented for the school to show any leniency toward us, but she recognized the history and the meaning that 14 Fraternity Row had to our brotherhood. She also mentioned that another fraternity has already applied to use the house for a temporary term of four years, matching our likely suspension.
I would like you to imagine how you will feel when the next alumni reunion is held at the Student Union or in a Knox Box. Imagine driving down Route 1, looking over at our house and seeing another fraternity's name. Something similar is exactly what is going to happen unless, collectively, we take action now.
The door has been cracked open, but just barely. Along with ZBT's National Headquarters, we are doing our best to reverse the University's decision and salvage the house. We now desperately need your help.
Please take a few minutes to respond to this email with a message directed to Dr. Clement regarding what 14 Fraternity Row means to you and why the school should allow us to resume control of the house when we re-colonize. Address the pain that this will bring to you, and why, as an alumnus of the University in good standing, you are not deserving of this punishment. Anything else that you want to add is up to you, but please be positive and professional. Bear in mind that the University is fully within its rights to make an example of us, as the current brotherhood has gone well above and beyond the call of duty to make us a target. Please close your message with your name, contact information and year graduated. We will then assemble all of the emails into one document to be delivered to the school.
If you need some assistance choosing topics to write about, please consider discussing some of the items below:
* What 14 Fraternity Row means to you as an alumnus of the University of Maryland
* What the loss of 14 Fraternity Row would mean to you
* Why providing a replacement house would not be a solution for you as an alumnus
* What reunions would be if they were held somewhere other than 14 Fraternity Row
* How you would feel driving by 14 Fraternity Row and seeing another fraternity's name upon it
* How you would feel punished by the University of Maryland for the mistakes made by a relatively small group of fraternity members (3 years‚ versus 45 prior years‚ worth)
* The historical value the house has to Zeta Beta Tau and Phi Sigma Delta
* The connection the house has to your time at the University of Maryland
* The time spent taking care of the facility over the last several decades
* How the house represented home during your time at the University of Maryland
* How the house ties all brothers over the 40-plus years at the University of Maryland
Time is of the essence here. Please take a break right now and put something together for us. We will run with it from there.
Thank you for your help.
John Blick, 1982
Rick Finci, 1981
Mike Fink, 1981
Mike Garson, 1981
Jerry Goodman, 1982
Dec. 30, 2009
Dear Brothers:
(Jan. 26, 2010)
I am writing to you regarding the closing of the Beta Zeta Epsilon Chapter at the University of Maryland.
The Chapter was closed due to numerous risk management violations throughout the course of the last three years. We tried to help the Chapter to comply with the policies of the University and the Fraternity, but in the end there was no choice but to close the Chapter and wait for a better day. You read in our communication to you in December about the many ways that both the Fraternity and University tried to help the chapter in changing the internal culture, but, unfortunately, we didn‚t have the right undergraduate leadership in place to make the appropriate changes.
Per our previous correspondence after the chapter was suspended in December, the undergraduate leadership had an opportunity to 'show cause' via appeal to the Supreme Council as to why they shouldn't be closed. The Chapter did not appeal the decision despite knowing that the Council was meeting in January to vote on the revocation of the Charter. On January 13, the Supreme Council voted to close the chapter.
Plans have already begun for Beta Zeta Epsilon's return. A number of alumni have offered their assistance in recolonizing. We hope to have ZBT back on the Maryland campus within the next four years with a group of men who truly embody the values of our organization.
Should you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to be in touch.
C., F. & S.,
Laurence A. Bolotin
Executive Director
Jan. 26, 2010
cc: Philip M. Waxberg, National President
Robert B. Cutler, Chapter Advisor
Ground Breaking for 14 Fraternity Row 1961
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14 Fraternity Row 1965
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Link to BLOG on suspension
showing comments from alumni
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