emory χφ chapter gutted by national; ousted brothers given the bums rush

All upperclassmen in the Chi Phi at Emory University are being removed from the active brotherhood in a stunning announcement by their national headquarters, while sophomores are being forced to undergo an inquisitorial panel next week to justify their continued membership. Although expelled juniors may be eligible for reinstatement next year, seniors are being relegated to a fraternal limbo until they graduate, unable to associate with brothers at fraternal functions but not yet alumni. (Rather doubtful, of course, is whether there will be any fraternal functions, or any fraternity, after the cataclysm.)

With essentially every member of the fraternity either ousted or under investigation, this semester's pledges may understandably be nervous about their future. Chi Phi Executive Director Michael Azarian quipped brightly, “we hope they stick around,” and explained the national office would be conducting the remainder of the pledging process. But he admitted that some if not many had already bailed the sinking ship in the face of the palace coup—though he did not concede failure even with upperclassmen exiled, sophomores being weeded out, and the pledge class dissipating: "This is something we will come back from, and will come back from even stronger."

As to the cause for the drastic action, Mr Azarian explained that the chapter has had a long history of "policy violations" involving alcohol, and had recently been under investigation for another "alcohol-related" infraction. No allegations whatsoever were made of (dare we say, "actual") crimes, including hazing. It seems distinctly odd, in fact, that the brothers expelled ostensibly for alcohol infractions are the very ones who are likely of legal age to be using alcohol. Still, none can argue with the prerogative of a self-selective organization to set standards for its membership, however arbitrary, and to hold its members strictly thereto.

That being said, your correspondent can't help but agree with the majority of the Emory Wheel's editorial board: allowing the expelled brothers only two days to pick up the tatters of their lives and quit the premises is simply cruel. Chi Phi has every right to excise brothers whom they view as bad apples, but basic human decency demands the refugees at least be given enough time to pack their belongings and arrange transport with some semblance of order. Throwing them and their chattel out onto the front lawn is not acceptable. The national fraternity, and the university enforcing the eviction, should be ashamed of themselves.

Emory Wheel