New rules for Fraternities announced just before the start of Thon

[Zenophile]

They dictate the cost of tuition, which parking spaces I am allowed to use, that I can't play racquetball at Rec Hall anymore, etc.

I'm glad you brought this up, Vic. Illustrates the extremes that Penn State will go to over "window dressing." From: http://www.si.com/college-football/2014/10/22/penn-state-nittany-lions-football

In early October, I was five minutes late to an interview with R. Scott Kretchmar, an ethicist and professor of exercise and sport science who has been at Penn State for three decades and from 2000-11 served as the school’s NCAA faculty athletics representative. “Did you have trouble getting into the building?’’ asked Kretchmar from behind his desk on the second floor of the Recreation Building. “We’re spending $5 million to secure this building, even though Jerry Sandusky would have had a key to swipe himself in.”​

 

[Victor E. Bell]

I'm glad you brought this up, Vic. Illustrates the extremes that Penn State will go to over "window dressing." From: http://www.si.com/college-football/2014/10/22/penn-state-nittany-lions-football

In early October, I was five minutes late to an interview with R. Scott Kretchmar, an ethicist and professor of exercise and sport science who has been at Penn State for three decades and from 2000-11 served as the school’s NCAA faculty athletics representative. “Did you have trouble getting into the building?’’ asked Kretchmar from behind his desk on the second floor of the Recreation Building. “We’re spending $5 million to secure this building, even though Jerry Sandusky would have had a key to swipe himself in.”​

Yes, the hidden costs.... Hadn't seen that quote before. Good one.

 

[LionDeNittany]

They did that once.

I know... that's kind of the joke.

LdN

 

[bjf1991]

Yes, the hidden costs.... Hadn't seen that quote before. Good one.

Of course - this "security" boondoggle doesn't happen without the approval of the BOT

Sitting in the "audience" at the BOT meeting, as OUR Trustees "deliberated" over this outrageous waste of $$$$$ ("deliberated" is a kind word - - - the process would rival some of the old TOS circle-jerks for pure inanity)......... And SMH as they took another EIGHT FIGURE crap of our funds

And don't forget, the initial outlay is not the only costs, this entire "couldn't waste the money any more efficiently if you tried" project also tags on some ongoing annual operating expenses - - - so like herpes, it never really goes away

We had Trustees - some of the "A9" delegation, IIRC - actually justifying the flushing of $10,000,000 + down the toilet .......by invoking the memory of "9/11" as if the new "security systems" were going to mitigate the tragedy of hijacked jetliners careening into Rec Hall

I.....SHIT.....YOU.....NOT


Alas........ But that's ok, because......??

I guess because they work SO HARD for us to win "409" back.


It is what it is....... Unless we change it

 

[nits74]

That is not the point. It to shield the university from liability. The bartenders are now the fall guys the university can not point to. If a family tries to sue them they can point to the fact that they required certified bartender who is liable for over serving and serving underage kids. They know it not going to stop every case.

Since when are lawsuits a concern for Penn State? I think it has demonstrated that it will throw money anyone's way. All they need do is ask.

 

[BobPSU92]

Oops. Too late for me then today.

Please take this opportunity to remember that psuro has a culture problem.

 

[psuro]

Please take this opportunity to remember that psuro has a culture problem.

sometimes j just hate me.

 

[Peetz Pool Boy]

The "Old Main Brain Trust" won't be happy until PSU is more conservative than Oral Roberts Univ.

 

[Zenophile]

The "Old Main Brain Trust" won't be happy until PSU is more conservative than Oral Roberts Univ.

Ive always been secretly amused by the subtle irony of that university's name.

 

[BobPSU92]

sometimes j just hate me.

Atta boy.

 

[massimoManca II]

This is untimely. With alcohol now being verboten, the kids are going to need more drugs.

Yup

 

[Connorpozlee]

Is it true that the head of each Frat was delivered a hand written note with a number to call?

Notes were delivered by John Donovan.

 

[BUFFALO LION]

Hearing that new rules for Fraternities have been announced in the past hour and some/many of the fraternity members are going to limit participation or even boycott Thon this weekend.

From a family member so there could be some errors:
1) All spring pledging is discontinued...no one to become a brother in spring semester
2) Any parties must be registered with IFC (Professional Bartenders must be the servers of drinks)
IFC to be on site at parties
3) Beta to not be recognized for at least 5 years......
4) Not so much greek related, but a Beta member has been charged with distribution of weed and has been held on a $250 K bail.
5) Hard Alcohol Banned / If there is alcohol on site, must be poured by registered bartender.
6) Parents weekend to be cancelled


I am sure that I am missing other aspects of the changes enacted due to the death at Beta last week. Sure to put a damper on the excitement level at Thon.

It does appear that the timing of this was scheduled to occur just before Thon to get washed out by the positive press of the Dance Marathon.

I am sure that there are details that I have gotten wrong, or have left out of the email......I have a sophomore daughter reporting this to me as she is setting up the Bryce Jordan Center for the Thon.

More news to come.

My wife and I both agree that we are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO lucky we went to Penn State when we did. The early seventies was just a GREAT time to be alive. We didn't know things were so bad for us then.

What happened at Beta was horrible. But Penn State was 100 times more wild 45 years ago than it is now. It's comparatively dead now. What amazes us is that with all the wildness going on back then, that we were able to police ourselves and our parties so well without any outside interference.

Worse thing about these new rules is that you have to get outside bartenders. I used to absolutely LOVE bartending during Jammies. Best part of pledging. In fact, after I pledged, I would kick the pledges out from behind the bar and bartend till I picked up the hottest girl I could find. No better spot to pick up hot women!!!

 

[massimoManca II]

Seems to me that closing down pledging this semester, together with no real parties next fall, is going to severely distress the membership rolls of some of the frats. Maybe that's the plan.

Wonder who benefits when these old mansions - some sitting on very large, attractive parcels only a block or two from campus - suddenly end up on the real estate market ? Hmmmmmmm

 

[bxle]

You know things have gone from bad to worse when they declare the official language Swedish.

 

[psuro]

Wonder who benefits when these old mansions - some sitting on very large, attractive parcels only a block or two from campus - suddenly end up on the real estate market ? Hmmmmmmm

Jay?

 

[LafayetteBear]

So the frats/sororities could still stage Parents Weekends. I just wonder how many parents, and how many brothers/sisters would enjoy a dry party at a frat house.

Tom: Have you ever invited adults over to your home for a dinner party and served exclusively non-alcoholic beverages? LOL, I'm betting you have not, and that no one else posting on this Board has, either.

I am a supporter of the Amethys Initiative. See the following link. Sorry, I don't know how to make it "active," but you can cut and paste it if you are interested.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amethyst_Initiative

 

[Peetz Pool Boy]

Wonder who benefits when these old mansions - some sitting on very large, attractive parcels only a block or two from campus - suddenly end up on the real estate market ? Hmmmmmmm

I thought those Frats were "on campus" and paid PSU land rentals? I'm probably wrong, but I am interested to hear from others about the arrangement between the on campus frats and PSU

 

[cment]

Been through a situation like this at my college and my frat got a year of suspension and 2 years later banned only to resurect 8 years later.

The end result for us was many more off campus parties that were more "feral" in nature. Still shake my head at what we did. Good times.

Difference here is that PSU is punishing the entire system for the act of one. This is not PSU centric, but it's almost like college Greek systems are beginning to be labeled as "hate groups."

BTW- fully agree with the real estate theory.

 

[coveydidnt]

I thought those Frats were "on campus" and paid PSU land rentals? I'm probably wrong, but I am interested to hear from others about the arrangement between the on campus frats and PSU

You just proved something very significant to me.

 

[kgilbert78]

I currently serve as a board member for the local chapter of my fraternity here in Charlotte. I think that in today's environment of political correctness, the Greek system as we know it will not survive. In the Penn State incident, a student is dead. That is tragic. I cannot imagine being part of that family. What I don't know is did the Fraternity or any member have anything to do with it? I can tell you based on the number of lawsuits being filed Nationally against fraternities and the related decisions, a judge will find that both did.
All fraternities are breaking rules. So are non fraternity members at every school. Underage kids are drinking, some kids are smoking weed, some are doing worse, both in the fraternity and outside. There is some form of hazing, no matter how minor, at most. My National Fraternity is currently involved in multiple lawsuits. The issues above are front and center in every suit. In some of these cases, I cannot find that the members did anything wrong. Yet, as soon as the media hears about any case, the above points are emphasized (hazing, drinking, drugs) and it is all over. No one really cares about the facts, that ruins a good case. The costs are mounting and National Fraternities will soon not be able to afford or even get insurance.
I know very little about what happened at Beta, and feel horrible for that young man's family, friends, etc.

Most Greek members are basically doing the the same thing a lot of students (I won't say all) are doing. The difference is two-fold. First frats are an organized group. Second, they have money (or at least property), so there's something worth going after.

We have a local youth group that had to cancel/split up their annual beach trip, after a young person died in an accident--for fear of lawsuits. It was very sad, but the law of averages caught up with them. When you have over 1000 people participating in an event, near water, eventually someone will die no matter how careful one is.

People these days (a) want everything "safe" and (b) someone to blame when something bad happens. Point a is impossible--simple because everyone dies, sooner or later. Point b is sometimes valid--as may be true in the Beta case (we don't know yet, as all the details are not out). But often it's just an accident.

 

[Royal_Coaster]

Been through a situation like this at my college and my frat got a year of suspension and 2 years later banned only to resurect 8 years later.

The end result for us was many more off campus parties that were more "feral" in nature. Still shake my head at what we did. Good times.

Difference here is that PSU is punishing the entire system for the act of one. This is not PSU centric, but it's almost like college Greek systems are beginning to be labeled as "hate groups."

BTW- fully agree with the real estate theory.

I can imagine quite a few people drooling over the ground the 3 fraternities on Beaver Avenue (SAE, Triangle, and Skull House) sit on.

 

[massimoManca II]

I thought those Frats were "on campus" and paid PSU land rentals? I'm probably wrong, but I am interested to hear from others about the arrangement between the on campus frats and PSU

On-campus houses like Fiji/Beta/Sigma Nu, maybe...

My fraternity sits a block from campus on a very large plot... w/in past ten years our Alumni Association (owner if the property) was offered $1MM+ for our property + relocation... Alumni BoT told developers to go away...

 

[LafayetteBear]

Incidentally, my daughters sorority had parents weekend at Beta last year, it was a very nice weekend.....

It WAS nice, Soupy. I am sad to see it cancelled. But every time I think of the difficulty and sadness my son and his fellow Betas are going through, I feel;guilty, knowing how it absolutely pales in comparison to what Tim Piazza's family is going through. I know for a fact that I am not alone in having those sentiments.

 

[coveydidnt]

On-campus houses like Fiji/Beta/Sigma Nu, maybe...

My fraternity sits a block from campus on a very large plot... w/in past ten years our Alumni Association (owner if the property) was offered $1MM+ for our property + relocation... Alumni BoT told developers to go away...

I think it's amusing that PeetzPoolBoy has never been to State College.

 

[Peetz Pool Boy]

On-campus houses like Fiji/Beta/Sigma Nu, maybe...

My fraternity sits a block from campus on a very large plot... w/in past ten years our Alumni Association (owner if the property) was offered $1MM+ for our property + relocation... Alumni BoT told developers to go away...

I checked the PSU campus map and think, but am not positive, that I'm correct.

My understanding was that "on campus" houses....as in the actual structures...are owned the the chapter corporations, but that the land upon which they sit is owned by PSU and there is some grandfathered /low-rent arrangement between the two parties.

I would very much appreciate hearing from someone "in the know".

P. S. Would your frat take $2MM + relocation?

 

[Peetz Pool Boy]

I think it's amusing that PeetzPoolBoy has never been to State College.

And how, pray tell, did you come to that "conclusion"?

Your response, if any, should be exposingly great. Your lack of a suitable response will be held against you....

 

[massimoManca II]

My wife and I both agree that we are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO lucky we went to Penn State when we did. The early seventies was just a GREAT time to be alive. We didn't know things were so bad for us then.

What happened at Beta was horrible. But Penn State was 100 times more wild 45 years ago than it is now. It's comparatively dead now. What amazes us is that with all the wildness going on back then, that we were able to police ourselves and our parties so well without any outside interference.

Worse thing about these new rules is that you have to get outside bartenders. I used to absolutely LOVE bartending during Jammies. Best part of pledging. In fact, after I pledged, I would kick the pledges out from behind the bar and bartend till I picked up the hottest girl I could find. No better spot to pick up hot women!!!

Yupp... bartending a huge party at your own house was a power-trip and among the better ways to make eye-contact / strike-up conversations with the hottest guests... i can share some stories

 

[Zenophile]

Yupp... bartending a huge party at your own house was a power-trip and among the better ways to make eye-contact / strike-up conversations with the hottest guests... i can share some stories

Go on.

 

[dshumbero]

Penn State started becoming sissified in 1975. It's been downhill ever since with PC bullshit and commie nonsense. Next thing you know, they will be shitting on sidewalks and having commie marches like at Pitt.

 

[coveydidnt]

And how, pray tell, did you come to that "conclusion"?

Your response, if any, should be exposingly great. Your lack of a suitable response will be held against you....

Because you've never been to fraternity Row. Or you would have no doubt that it isn't on campus.

Check the campus map again for the answer to this: Is the Student Book Store on campus?

 

[Peetz Pool Boy]

Because you've never been to fraternity Row. Or you would have no doubt that it isn't on campus.

Never been to Fraternity Row? Hell, I lived on Fraternity Row for 2 years.

You think that Beta Theta Pi is located on Fraternity Row? You do know that there are only 4 frats on Fraternity Row, don't you?

There's a good possibility that you've never left Potter County.

 

[Tweedbear]

Two comments the university has lusted after the on campus houses for ever read since 50s.
On the other hand the Beaver Ave houses are in the equivalent of a historic district high rise construction is presently restricted for that area.
That may only mean the size of the bribe must be larger. Look at the size of the new building on East college Ave.

 

[Royal_Coaster]

Didn't the zoning board already create an overlay district for Beaver Canyon that managed to skip across Locust Lane to include the building where Kappa Sig used to be? Now they're putting a 7 story mixed use building there.

Follow the progression here from 2010 to 2016. In State College and Centre County, the people who decide they want to make money and figure out how they want to do it get their way, historic district or not.

http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/hfl-proposes-residential-tower-for-beaver-avenue,390065/

http://www.statecollege.com/news/lo...support-with-state-college-commission,718890/

http://www.centredaily.com/news/article42818358.html

http://www.centredaily.com/news/local/community/state-college/article104548556.html

 

[rojo36]

I currently serve as a board member for the local chapter of my fraternity here in Charlotte. I think that in today's environment of political correctness, the Greek system as we know it will not survive. In the Penn State incident, a student is dead. That is tragic. I cannot imagine being part of that family. What I don't know is did the Fraternity or any member have anything to do with it? I can tell you based on the number of lawsuits being filed Nationally against fraternities and the related decisions, a judge will find that both did.
All fraternities are breaking rules. So are non fraternity members at every school. Underage kids are drinking, some kids are smoking weed, some are doing worse, both in the fraternity and outside. There is some form of hazing, no matter how minor, at most. My National Fraternity is currently involved in multiple lawsuits. The issues above are front and center in every suit. In some of these cases, I cannot find that the members did anything wrong. Yet, as soon as the media hears about any case, the above points are emphasized (hazing, drinking, drugs) and it is all over. No one really cares about the facts, that ruins a good case. The costs are mounting and National Fraternities will soon not be able to afford or even get insurance.
I know very little about what happened at Beta, and feel horrible for that young man's family, friends, etc.

I think some officials might also be concerned about onlookers at these events that ignore signs of stupor, coma and yes, even death in those that over imbibe.

 

[dwiz]

I think some officials might also be concerned about onlookers at these events that ignore signs of stupor, coma and yes, even death in those that over imbibe.

Everyone is in a stupor at the parties now. Where it was beer and maybe some crappy vodka in our day, it's now xanax and beer which will put you under in about 10 minutes, or adderall and booze which is much the same. Nobody is drinking 20 natty ice anymore (which does nothing to a normal alcoholic college kid), it's all drugs + booze.

 

[Nitt1300]

Penn State started becoming sissified in 1975. It's been downhill ever since with PC bullshit and commie nonsense. Next thing you know, they will be shitting on sidewalks and having commie marches like at Pitt.

Commies? Commies went out of style years ago. Hell, even the Russians are Fascists now.

 

[PennSt8er]

News flash: the attorneys run Penn State.

Drops mic.

 

[massimoManca II]

Two comments the university has lusted after the on campus houses for ever read since 50s.
On the other hand the Beaver Ave houses are in the equivalent of a historic district high rise construction is presently restricted for that area.
That may only mean the size of the bribe must be larger. Look at the size of the new building on East college Ave.

Punctuation can be your friend. (Not to mention: complete thoughts). #holycrapp

 

[LafayetteBear]

I checked the PSU campus map and think, but am not positive, that I'm correct.

My understanding was that "on campus" houses....as in the actual structures...are owned the the chapter corporations, but that the land upon which they sit is owned by PSU and there is some grandfathered /low-rent arrangement between the two parties.

I would very much appreciate hearing from someone "in the know".

The local Beta Chapter (Alpha Upsilon Chapter) owns both the chapter house and the land it sits on. Don't know about the other chapter houses on Burrowes Road.