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
