WU’s decision to suspend Beta Theta Pi from all campus operations and bar them from using their house on Fraternity Row marks the end of a sordid chapter in campus Greek life. The Betas were commonly associated with disruptive and lewd behavior. They feuded with other fraternities, sexually harassed students at parties, taunted the “Take Back the Night” marchers on the Row two years ago. The list goes on, and the suspension comes as a welcome relief to the student body. In finally deciding to suspend the Betas, WU showed it can punish flagrant, sexist behavior and protect the safety of students. However the timing of the decision is questionable.
Until last fall, when WU put the chapter on probation, Beta had always received mere “slap on the wrist” punishments and warnings for their egregious behavior. Why did the university take so long to kick this chapter out? Certainly the Beta’s behavior during the 1992-1993 school year was no worse than in previous years.
A simple, more timely response from WU would have been more appropriate, and more convincing.
In addition, WU’s creation of a probation period for Beta was both unnecessary and artificial. To begin with, Beta did not deserve a second chance. And then when they got that chance, it was no chance at all.
The terms of probation required that Beta become the shining star of all fraternities, that their members become flawless role models. Beta could never have done this in one year. No fraternity could have.
Certainly the Beta case is historic. According to the Department of Student Affairs, this is the first time WU has ever thrown a greek organization off campus for disciplinary reasons.
And make no mistake: The eviction, while unusual, was necessary and right. But WU’s handling of the case over the past years has been inconsistent. If the decision to suspend was going to be made at all, it should have been made much earlier. If it had been, WU would have demonstrated a stronger commitment to ending this kind of behavior on the Hilltop.