November 10, 2017
Martin Cobb, Director of Communication
Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
martin.cobb@beta.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Beta Theta Pi Fraternity Closes Colony at University of California, Davis

OXFORD, OHIO, November 10, 2017 – Beta Theta Pi is disappointed to announce the closure of the Fraternity’s colony at the University of California, Davis, effective immediately.

The colony’s challenges did not stem from risk management concerns, nor did its culture stray from Beta Theta Pi’s mission, vision and core values. Instead, the UC Davis Colony was simply unable to thrive in the areas of member recruitment and retention since its founding in 2014.

In spite of significant efforts to correct the colony’s trajectory by a number of dedicated members, advisors, university officials and the General Fraternity, it has proved difficult to maintain sustainable progress. At the time this closure decision was made, the colony had dwindled to a total of four active members. Faced with that reality, the General Fraternity needed to objectively evaluate the Beta experience being afforded to our young men – and the corresponding burden associated with it.

“To be fair to the small number of young men shouldering the overwhelming responsibility of keeping the colony running while also maintaining their academics and personal lives – and in keeping with our commitment to the core missions of UC Davis and Beta Theta Pi – it was decided that closure of the colony was the most appropriate action,” said Fraternity General Secretary S. Wayne Kay, Virginia Tech ’73.

All initiated undergraduates have been placed on “alumni” status and will, upon graduation, be entitled to the full rights and privileges of all Beta Theta Pi alumni so long as they continue 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 10,000 undergraduate members on 138 campuses across North America, 133,000 living-alumni members and 1,800 volunteers. The Fraternity’s Administrative Office is located near their founding site at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Press Contact:
Justin Warren, Director of Media Relations & Senior Writer
Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
justin.warren@beta.org