Sixty men have accepted bids so far to join Beta Theta Pi
fraternity's re-establishment pledge class, gearing up to begin recruitment for the spring.
The former Beta Theta Pi brothers were asked to leave the house by alumni last March when the fraternity was confronted with allegations of hazing and party violations.
By this fall, the 220 N. Burrowes Road property should be full with new members. Currently, only re-establishment director Jeff Rundle and a few caretakers live in the house, which is expected to become the home of 46 brothers in fall of 2010.
While the house is still unoccupied, pledges in the re-establishment class will be coming to the house on a regular basis for brotherhood events, Rundle said.
"We're looking for men who are really seeking the positives of fraternity life but aren't interested in the negative aspects, like hazing," Rundle said. "It's definitely the brotherhood aspect that most men are seeking."
The fraternity will be accepting new pledges through early February, Rundle said. Officers will be appointed by the first weekend in February, and the first pledge class will be initiated in mid-April. The fraternity will also participate in the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon as a greek organization this semester.
Beta Theta Pi is currently recognized by the university, but is not yet recognized by its national fraternity. Rundle expects the fraternity will be recognized again soon.
Jordan Derk, who is a new member, was drawn to Beta Theta Pi for the service opportunities it presents.
"We're actually having a positive influence on the school," Derk (sophomore-biology) said. "The restructuring attracted me to it, because it's something new that can benefit the students at Penn State."
Indeed, the restructuring is more of an asset than a concern to some Beta Theta Pi pledges. Pledge TJ Bard (freshman-political science and economics) was initially uninterested in joining a fraternity because of the party stereotypes associated with greek life at Penn State.
"I wanted to be part of an organization that didn't have those stigmas and will have a good reputation for years to come," he said. "I got excited that I could be part of the changing face of fraternities on campus."
Kealan Hobelmann (sophomore-nuclear and mechanical engineering) also sees Beta Theta Pi's restructuring as an asset.
"I was attracted to the fact that there was a blank slate and that the new pledges could pave the way and set new traditions," he said. "We really have the opportunity to make it our own fraternity and set traditions that can last a long time."
Interfraternity Council President Max Wendkos said he hopes that Beta Theta Pi's pledges are able to give the fraternity a truly fresh start.
"It's never easy getting a fraternity off the ground with a brand new mindset," Wendkos (senior-marketing and psychology) said. "My hope is that the members they've recruited will be the positive Beta men that they're hoping for."
