FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OXFORD, OHIO, September 21, 2023 – Today Beta Theta Pi is announcing the closure and disbandment of its chapter at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

The path that ultimately led to this decision began in June when the chapter was found to have violated Beta Theta Pi’s policies surrounding the new member experience. Just three months later, a separate investigation by the General Fraternity was necessary after the men allegedly engaged in additional unsafe behaviors during recent social and recruitment events.

“Though the incidents themselves were extremely troubling, we hoped our investigations would help identify a group of brothers willing to rehabilitate the chapter’s culture and ensure the future of Beta Theta Pi at UNC Wilmington,” said Beta Theta Pi General John Stebbins, Emory ’92. “Instead, we encountered notable dishonesty throughout that has brought to light what I see as an insurmountable gap between the Fraternity’s values – specifically trust – and the current members’ willingness to adhere to them. As such, I believe closure is the most appropriate course of action and have decided to disband this group, effective immediately.”

All initiated undergraduates have been placed on “alumni” status and no longer retain the rights or privileges of an active member of the Fraternity. Members will be entitled to the full rights and privileges of all Beta Theta Pi alumni upon graduation, so long as their behavior continues to align with the expectations of Beta alumni and the university.

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Beta Theta Pi is a college fraternity committed to developing men of principle for a principled life. Founded in 1839, today Beta serves more than 9,000 undergraduate members on 141 campuses across North America, 142,000 living alumni members and 1,800 volunteers. The Fraternity’s Administrative Office is located near its founding site at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Press Contact
Name: Justin Warren
Position: Chief Communication Officer
Email: justin.warren@beta.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OXFORD, OHIO, May 24, 2023 – Today Beta Theta Pi is announcing the closure and disbandment of its Epsilon Omega Chapter at Eastern Washington University.

Epsilon Omega’s challenges first became apparent after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had unforeseen yet lasting effects on the chapter’s operations. Most recently, member morale has suffered as the group faced mounting debt and an unfortunate but understandable decision by chapter alumni to pursue the sale of the chapter home.

“Along with a host of external factors beyond the undergraduates’ control – declining university enrollment, a campus community skeptical of Greek-letter organizations and a lack of stable advisory team support – members would experience prolonged and debilitating challenges,” said Beta Theta Pi General John Stebbins, Emory ’92. “This sentiment has been affirmed by the remaining undergraduates, who unanimously voted in April to relinquish their charter.”

All initiated undergraduates have been placed on “alumni” status and no longer retain the rights or privileges of an active member of the Fraternity. Members will be entitled to the full rights and privileges of all Beta Theta Pi alumni upon graduation, so long as their behavior continues to align with the expectations of Beta alumni and the university.

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Beta Theta Pi is a college fraternity committed to developing men of principle for a principled life. Founded in 1839, today Beta serves more than 9,700 undergraduate members on 138 campuses across North America, 140,000 living alumni members and 1,800 volunteers. The Fraternity’s Administrative Office is located near its founding site at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Press Contact
Name: Justin Warren
Position: Director of Media Relations & Senior Writer
Email: justin.warren@beta.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OXFORD, OHIO, February 23, 2023 – Today Beta Theta Pi is announcing the closure and disbandment of its Delta Delta Chapter at Bowling Green State University.

Reaching a sustainable membership size has presented an obstacle for the chapter almost since its reestablishment in fall 2019, notably due to the unforeseen yet lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seriously limiting the young group’s ability to establish rapport and camaraderie with one another or prospective new members, the chapter’s recruitment efforts have since been unable to outpace its graduation and attrition rates.

“Combined with a hazing-related interfraternal death in spring 2021 that has left the student body grieving and skeptical of Greek-letter organizations campuswide, I believe this situation is insurmountable,” said Beta Theta Pi General John Stebbins, Emory ’92. “I know this announcement is especially difficult for the passionate Delta Delta Chapter alumni and advisors, many of whom have gone above and beyond in giving their time and treasure to see these men succeed.”

All initiated undergraduates have been placed on “alumni” status and no longer retain the rights or privileges of an active member of the Fraternity. Members will be entitled to the full rights and privileges of all Beta Theta Pi alumni upon graduation, so long as their behavior continues to align with the expectations of Beta alumni and the university.

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Beta Theta Pi is a college fraternity committed to developing men of principle for a principled life. Founded in 1839, today Beta serves more than 9,700 undergraduate members on 139 campuses across North America, 140,000 living alumni members and 1,800 volunteers. The Fraternity’s Administrative Office is located near its founding site at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Press Contact
Name: Justin Warren
Position: Director of Media Relations & Senior Writer
Email: justin.warren@beta.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OXFORD, OHIO, January 27, 2023 – Today Beta Theta Pi is announcing the closure and disbandment of its Delta Epsilon Chapter at the University of Puget Sound.

Recruiting only 15 men since the spring 2021 term – and initiating even fewer – the chapter has dwindled to seven active members, three of whom are expected to graduate this spring. Considered alongside other campus challenges, the remaining members voted unanimously in early December to relinquish their charter.

“As chief volunteer on the Fraternity’s Board of Trustees, I want to assure you that it is extraordinarily and emotionally difficult any time a chapter must be closed,” said Beta Theta Pi General John Stebbins, Emory ’92. “I thank the undergraduate leaders, volunteers, Administrative Office staff and campus professionals who put forward their best efforts to support, guide and motivate these men over the years. Although they were ultimately unsuccessful, they were, no doubt, significant and sincere.”

All initiated undergraduates have been placed on “alumni” status and no longer retain the rights or privileges of an active member of the Fraternity. Members will be entitled to the full rights and privileges of all Beta Theta Pi alumni upon graduation, so long as their behavior continues to align with the expectations of Beta alumni and the university.

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Beta Theta Pi is a college fraternity committed to developing men of principle for a principled life. Founded in 1839, today Beta serves more than 9,700 undergraduate members on 140 campuses across North America, 140,000 living alumni members and 1,800 volunteers. The Fraternity’s Administrative Office is located near its founding site at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Press Contact
Name: Justin Warren
Position: Director of Media Relations & Senior Writer
Email: justin.warren@beta.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OXFORD, OHIO, March 24, 2022 – Today Beta Theta Pi is announcing the closure and disbandment of its chapter at the University of New Mexico.

This difficult decision largely stems from the chapter’s inability to consistently recruit and retain members since its reestablishment in 2018. Of the 12 men initially inducted as founding fathers, only 9 continued through to initiation. The chapter has continued to struggle with recruitment in the years since, leaving membership to dwindle to only five active members today.

“This number, while certainly exacerbated by the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, indicates to me any remaining members and advisors would be facing an insurmountable climb going forward,” said Beta Theta Pi General Secretary S. Wayne Kay, Virginia Tech ’73. “Our primary mission as an organization is to develop young men and build strong Beta chapters across North America. As it stands now, our chapter in Albuquerque is not providing the robust Beta experience the Fraternity, its members and the university community deserve.”

All initiated undergraduates have been placed on “alumni” status and no longer retain the rights or privileges of an active member of the Fraternity. Members will be entitled to the full rights and privileges of all Beta Theta Pi alumni upon graduation, so long as their behavior continues to align with the expectations of Beta alumni and the university.

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Beta Theta Pi is a college fraternity committed to developing men of principle for a principled life. Founded in 1839, today Beta serves more than 9,000 undergraduate members on 136 campuses across North America, nearly 140,000 living alumni members and 1,800 volunteers. The Fraternity’s Administrative Office is located near its founding site at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Press Contact
Name: Justin Warren
Position: Director of Media Relations & Senior Writer
Email: justin.warren@beta.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OXFORD, OHIO, March 4, 2022 – Today Beta Theta Pi is announcing the closure and disbandment of its chapter at Oregon State University.

This difficult decision largely stems from the chapter’s consistent difficulty recruiting and retaining members. This has led the Gamma Mu Chapter to fall behind in several operational areas critical to creating a positive, viable Beta experience for its brothers and ultimately dwindle to only nine members, many of whom are not regularly engaged in chapter operations.

“This decision is no doubt especially painful for those alumni, volunteers, university representatives, Administrative Office staff members and undergraduates who invested both time and treasure to ensure Beta’s success at Oregon State,” said Beta Theta Pi General Secretary S. Wayne Kay, Virginia Tech ’73. “In the case of Gamma Mu, thankfully there was not an overwhelming, catastrophic incident that led us to this decision but, rather, operational challenges signaling the chapter was not capable of becoming self-sustaining in either size or support.”

Originally founded in 1923, Gamma Mu is home to 949 living alumni. The chapter’s charter will remain suspended and in care of the Board of Trustees throughout this period of disbandment.

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Beta Theta Pi is a college fraternity committed to developing men of principle for a principled life. Founded in 1839, today Beta serves more than 9,000 undergraduate members on 136 campuses across North America, nearly 140,000 living alumni members and 1,800 volunteers. The Fraternity’s Administrative Office is located near its founding site at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Press Contact
Name: Justin Warren
Position: Director of Media Relations & Senior Writer
Email: justin.warren@beta.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OXFORD, OHIO, February 22, 2022 – Today Beta Theta Pi is announcing the closure and disbandment of its chapter at the University of Toledo.

This difficult decision largely stems from the chapter’s inability to consistently recruit and retain members since its reestablishment in 2019. Of the 21 men initially inducted as founding fathers, only 16 continued through to initiation. Following heightened challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and two subsequent semesters without recruiting any new members, the chapter is left with only six brothers, which presents insurmountable operational challenges.

“I want to express on behalf of the Fraternity’s leadership our shared disappointment in this news,” said Beta Theta Pi General Secretary S. Wayne Kay, Virginia Tech ’73. “I know these circumstances have proven arduous and led those advisors, university representatives, Administrative Office staff members and undergraduates still hoping for Beta to succeed at Toledo to feel frustrated and dejected. To them, I say thank you for your efforts. Although they were ultimately unsuccessful, they were, no doubt, significant and sincere.”

Originally founded in 1992, Epsilon Tau is home to 185 living alumni. The chapter’s charter will remain suspended and in the care of the Board of Trustees throughout this period of disbandment. disbandment.

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Beta Theta Pi is a college fraternity committed to developing men of principle for a principled life. Founded in 1839, today Beta serves more than 9,000 undergraduate members on 136 campuses across North America, nearly 140,000 living alumni members and 1,800 volunteers. The Fraternity’s Administrative Office is located near its founding site at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Press Contact
Name: Justin Warren
Position: Director of Media Relations & Senior Writer
Email: justin.warren@beta.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OXFORD, OHIO, February 11, 2022 – Today Beta Theta Pi is announcing the closure and disbandment of its chapter at North Carolina State University.

The decision to disband comes after multiple violations of Beta Theta Pi’s Substance-Free Housing Policy and substantiated allegations of hazing within the chapter’s new member program. In response to these behavioral missteps, the General Fraternity conducted a chapter-wide membership review aimed at identifying the group of brothers willing to rehabilitate Eta Rho’s culture and ensure the future of Beta at NC State.

“While embracing the need to hold accountable those who facilitated unacceptable hazing and alcohol-related violations of our policies, this difficult process yielded a core group of men who were willing to commit themselves to a safe and principled Beta experience,” said Beta Theta Pi General Secretary S. Wayne Kay, Virginia Tech ’73. “However, our university partners felt differently and, despite the Fraternity exhausting its appeal options, have decided a period of disbandment is necessary.

Chartered in 2017, Eta Rho is home to 62 undergraduate members and nearly 150 living alumni. The chapter’s charter will remain suspended and in the care of the Board of Trustees throughout this period of disbandment.

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Beta Theta Pi is a college fraternity committed to developing men of principle for a principled life. Founded in 1839, today Beta serves more than 9,000 undergraduate members on 136 campuses across North America, nearly 140,000 living alumni members and 1,800 volunteers. The Fraternity’s Administrative Office is located near its founding site at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Press Contact
Name: Justin Warren
Position: Director of Media Relations & Senior Writer
Email: justin.warren@beta.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OXFORD, OHIO, January 20, 2022 – Today Beta Theta Pi is announcing the closure and disbandment of its chapter at Arizona State University.

The decision to disband comes after a thorough investigation conducted in partnership with the university validated several concerns with Delta Tau’s new member education program. The results of a chapter-wide membership review conducted last fall and aimed at identifying the group of brothers willing to course correct was poorly received by the undergraduates, dashing any hope for positive collaboration between the chapter and General Fraternity going forward.

“Many of our young men at Delta Tau fell short in sustaining the strong and robust Beta experience the Fraternity and Arizona State communities deserve,” said Beta Theta Pi General Secretary S. Wayne Kay, Virginia Tech ’73. “I am confident this decision creates a better long-term outlook for Beta in Tempe and secures an opportunity for the chapter to reclaim its position as a fraternal leader on ASU’s campus in the future.”

Originally founded in 1977, Delta Tau is home to some 260 living alumni. The chapter’s charter will remain suspended and in the care of the Board of Trustees throughout this period of disbandment.

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Beta Theta Pi is a college fraternity committed to developing men of principle for a principled life. Founded in 1839, today Beta serves more than 9,000 undergraduate members on 136 campuses across North America, nearly 140,000 living alumni members and 1,800 volunteers. The Fraternity’s Administrative Office is located near its founding site at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Press Contact
Name: Justin Warren
Position: Director of Media Relations & Senior Writer
Email: justin.warren@beta.org