Lambda Chi Alpha loses charter

Last week, Lambda Chi Alpha, one of ECU’s four original fraternities, locally established in 1958, lost its charter.

While the cause of the loss, a decision made by the fraternity’s national chair members, has remained vague to the general public, the decision was made after a series of smaller events within the fraternity. Most significant, though, was the fraternity’s failure to pay their national dues, resulting in their removal from campus and the Interfraternity Council.

In addition, according to the fall 2009 Interfraternity Council’s grade report, the fraternity placed at the bottom of the list amongst ECU’s 17 fraternities with a chapter average semester GPA of 2.16.

The fraternity, with over 1,000 initiates in the last 50 years, has made a large impact on ECU’s community and the decision to remove them will tremendously impact the university.

Within the Board of Trustees, two members are alumni of ECU’s Lambda Chi chapter and four of the buildings around campus were named and dedicated to the charities provided by previous members, including the Murphy Center after brother Pete Murphy. The decision to remove the chapter was taken very seriously.

While the International Lambda Chi headquarters chose not to comment on the situation, they did release a media report to the school. According to the media report, the fraternity will be inactive “until conditions improve sufficiently to allow for a successful chapter to operate on the campus.”

John Holloway, direct of chapter services for Lambda Chi Alpha, said, “Unfortunately, we are unable to offer the proper undergraduate experience at this time. We greatly value the Iota-Upsilon alumni and our collaborative relationship with the school.”

Keith Tingley, faculty adviser in the Interfraternity Council said, “It was not a university decision, but a national decision.”

It seems most students cannot decipher between what is fact and what is fiction among the many rumors circulating around campus.

Ben Howard, a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon at ECU, said, “I had heard the rumors but I wasn’t sure what was true. It was my understanding that they lost their charter, were kicked off campus and couldn’t participate in the intramurals and stuff.”

Howard spoke on behalf of many fraternity members when he said, “I think the overall feeling was just general surprise. It’s shocking to think they’re gone … the house and everything. It’s just disbelief.”
With the fraternity being removed, the issue of their house, located at 500 Elizabeth St., will become a city issue.

Chris Viverette, corporal at the Greenville Police Department, said, “Sororities and fraternities and required to obtain a Special Use permit in order to house more than three unrelated persons. It is a city ordinance. Being as the charter has been removed, the fraternity was ordered to remove persons of their choosing, down to the number that complies with the ordinance.”

Junior Aaron Gentlzer, a brother of Tae Kappa Epsilon, said of the situation, “It's a disappointment because Greek life is trying to get a better standing at ECU and this doesn't really help with that image.”

Gentlzer did feel for the approximately 30 brothers of Lambda Chi as he said, “I sympathize for the brothers of Lambda Chi because this is a serious punishment, but it all comes down to the consequences of their actions. There has been a lot of recent turmoil in Greek life and this needs to be a turning point in creating a better image for the university. Hopefully it can serve as some sort of example.”

As to when and if the fraternity will return, Tingley said, “The university, the IFC and the Alumni Department are working together with the chapter on a return date.”

Typically, fraternities are required to wait at least four years before being brought back to campus in order to ensure that all previous brothers have graduated and are ineligible for return.

Secretary for the Board of Trustees and alumnus of Lambda Chi Alpha, David Redwine, explained that he was disheartened to hear the news of his former fraternity.

He said, “I’m not sure I know all the details, but it’s always unfortunate when the university loses a fraternity. I think it affects all of Greek life in a university system. As a past member, it’s distressing to me that that sort of thing has happened. When I was in school, it was one of the best fraternities on campus. We took care of our business, tried to do right thing in terms of brotherhood and the university itself. It is certainly distressing to all alumni.”

With a bit of hope, Redwine added, “It is my understanding that the fraternity is working on it and that there is some understanding between the national department and the local chapter to remedy deficiencies and get them back on campus and get standing. Hopefully they’ll be able to work it out.”

Bruce Whitten, chapter adviser, declined to comment.

This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.