I submit my experiential learning application for my fall quarter service as the risk

manager for the UW chapter of Beta Theta Pi on October 3, 2014 at approximately 2:20 pm. By
utilizing my service as risk manager for one of my experiential learning projects, I was very
excited to push the boundaries of my role as the opportunity would help me fulfill one of my
graduation requirements. Rather than being burned out by the potentially tedious tasks relating to
the position, I would be able to remain motivated due to the higher stakes of being tied to my
experiential learning project. Beyond the high stakes, the application provided me with
organization for the position and a list of goals. However, at 3:45 pm on the same day, I received
an email from the Beta Theta Pi General Fraternity, the subject line reading: Cease Operations:
Beta Omega Chapter of Beta Theta Pi. My heart instantly sank. I was in disbelief that my chapter
was in trouble. Next, I convinced myself that it had to be a mistake, the General Fraternity must
have accidentally sent the e-mail to the University of Washingtion Betas when they actually
intended to send it to the Washington State University Betas. Despite the shock of the email,
reality eventually set in. I knew that our chapter had made mistakes and soon enough our
shortcomings would catch up with us. As a result of hazing allegations against the UW Beta
chapter, we were placed on suspension.
Prior to our suspension, an incoming freshman, a 'pledge,' could expect to be involved in
two very different 'pledge' programs. The first revolved around personal development with
pledges attending presentations covering topics such as sexual assault, drug and alcohol
awareness and crime prevention. In addition to the presentations aimed at helping to apprise the
incoming freshman of the potential dangers of college life, this side of the program included
professional and academic development through rsum workshops, mandatory meetings with
professors, mandatory study sessions, and mentorship programs with both active and graduated

members of the chapter. Through these activities, we hoped to introduce the five core values of
Beta Theta Pi to our freshmen; cultivation of the intellect, responsible conduct, mutual
assistance, integrity and trust. My intended project dealt solely with this portion of the pledge
program. However, longstanding fraternity traditions had unfortunately instilled a dark side to
our initiation process. The 'hazing' involved in the freshman program had absolutely no relation
to the five core values. Yet rather than attempting to find a constructive replacement, the chapter
settled on minimizing and hiding the damage.
After I fully understood the consequences of the situation, I realized that my intended
project was no longer possible. The conditions of the chapter's suspension prevented us from
continuing any of our existing programs, including risk management. Despite this major
obstacle, I saw the opportunity to continue and strengthen my project. Due to the historical
success of the UW Beta house in academics, philanthropy, community service and brotherhood,
the National Fraternity chose to give the chapter a chance to avoid a complete shutdown and loss
of charter. In order to earn the privilege of maintaining our charter, my brothers and I had to
develop a comprehensive plan and presentation to prove to the National Fraternity that we had
the ability to move on from our longstanding traditions and develop a constructive hazing free
pledge program. Although my project ended up moving beyond risk management, the previous
five months have provided various challenges which have helped me not only become a better
Beta but also a better person.
My involvement with the chapter executive team provided me with the ability to play a
major role in the development of the proposal that would eventually be presented to the Beta
Theta Pi Board of Trustees. This process began with weekly meetings with other chapter
executives, alumni advisors and high-ranking members of the General Counsel. Through these

meetings it became very clear that this process would require an immense amount of work and
dedication. In other cases involving hazing, chapters tend to be shutdown for 2-4 years. Yet,
despite the grim precedent that had been set, the executive team began to formulate the proposal
and presentation.
Early on in the planning stage, I traveled to the Georgia Tech Beta chapter along with my
chapter's president and vice president. Approximately three years ago, very serious hazing
allegations were raised against the Georgia Tech Betas. After a drawn out investigation period,
their house was closed for two years. During that time, they began to develop a hazing free
pledge program and are currently in their first year of implementing the new system. My visit to
Georgia Tech reaffirmed my belief that the future of my house was in question. However, it also
provided me with hope. I saw what a successful Beta chapter looked like without hazing and
how that was something in which I wanted to be involved.
After the trip to Georgia Tech, the executive team continued the development of our proposal and
presentation. In addition to contributing to the general process, I wrote a section of the proposal
that outlined how the chapter would define the values a member must live up to. This section
also covered how we could brainstorm activities for our new pledge program that would help
incoming freshman realize these values. Also, working in cooperation with the chapter president
at the time, I helped proofread and revise the final draft of the written proposal to the Board of
Trustees.
The final ruling after review of our written proposal and presentation was a quarter long
shut down of the chapter. The Board members were very impressed by the amount of work and
dedication that the members of our executive team exerted in this process and thus we avoided
the possibility of a 2-4 year chapter closure. Despite the shortened closure period, there were

many contingencies to the reopening of the chapter including; a completely dry house
(absolutely no drugs or alcohol in the house), an indefinite social probation, the development of a
hazing free pledge program and a resident advisor in the chapter house. In order to continue my
involvement in the chapter, I volunteered and was appointed to be vice president. As vice
president I hope to ensure the success of the UW Beta chapter going forward by effectively
aiding the development and implementation our new pledge program while also helping current
members move on from past traditions.
While my project quickly shifted from the intended focus on risk management, I gained a
more valuable experience due to the change. This project provided me with the chance to cope
with failure and fight for an organization that I am passionate about resulting in significant
personal growth. The hazing allegations and closing of my fraternity house provided me with a
very personal experience with failure. I knew that our pledge program was highly flawed,
unconstructive and unsustainable. I despised the hazing aspect of it. Yet, I never spoke up about
it. As a result of my inaction and the overall complacency of my chapter, we settled on a system
that almost resulted in the complete closure of our chapter house. This experience has helped me
realize how crucial it is to be proactive rather than reactive. Additionally, I have been able to
draw parallels from this event to the professional world. For example, prior to the economic
collapse of 2008, bankers were acting in highly questionable practices. Both the bankers and I
knew that our organizations were bending and breaking rules and as a result of not utilizing
preventative measures, we were forced to make reactive decisions in order to overcome our
failures.
In addition to learning from failure, I now realize what it is like to fight for something
that I love. Although I have never enjoyed the hazing involved with my fraternity, as a result of

my joining Beta Theta Pi, I now have countless life long friends and connections as well as
unforgettable experiences that have pushed me to become a better person. I would not be where I
am today without my fraternity. The threat of losing that was too much for me to fathom. While
my efforts and those of my fellow executive board members have helped return the chapter to a
place where it can succeed, there is still work to be done. The UW Beta chapter has the
opportunity to truly live up to our positive public image prior to the hazing allegations. By
applying the lessons and wisdom that I have gained from my experiential learning project, I will
do everything in my power to ensure that we get to that place and this time there will be nothing
to hide.