FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OXFORD, OHIO, May 24, 2023 – Today Beta Theta Pi is announcing the closure and disbandment of its Epsilon Omega Chapter at Eastern Washington University.
Epsilon Omega’s challenges first became apparent after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had unforeseen yet lasting effects on the chapter’s operations. Most recently, member morale has suffered as the group faced mounting debt and an unfortunate but understandable decision by chapter alumni to pursue the sale of the chapter home.
“Along with a host of external factors beyond the undergraduates’ control – declining university enrollment, a campus community skeptical of Greek-letter organizations and a lack of stable advisory team support – members would experience prolonged and debilitating challenges,” said Beta Theta Pi General John Stebbins, Emory ’92. “This sentiment has been affirmed by the remaining undergraduates, who unanimously voted in April to relinquish their charter.”
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 9,700 undergraduate members on 138 campuses across North America, 140,000 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: Director of Media Relations & Senior Writer
Email: justin.warren@beta.org
