Good to hear from you and appreciate that we can keep an open dialogue about our return to FSU.

 

There are some things that can help our return.

 

1. Keeping the alumni group active and informed, which is exactly what you are doing, is a big help and will prove to be a big asset when we return. THANKS.

 

2. The University was not pleased with our last colony but they did appreciate that we closed the group rather than having them take action. We left on good terms with an understanding that we could return. These types of promises/agreements are only as good as the people that make them and while I voice no opinion on people in that Greek office, at the time the agreement was made, I generally have a low expectations of University personnel. I have had too many promises made to me and then they refute what they said earlier. Has been practice to get things in writing and would like to have had it on this situation but didn't happen. Bottom line we need to keep communication open between the Greek affairs office, National and Alumni group. If you, or someone you appoint, could visit the Greek office and let them know our intention of coming back within the next year or two that would be great.

If we have a "green light" from them it makes it so much easier. (Yes, they gave us that approval before but things change all the time)

 

3. Having a group of alumni advisors available to work with the new group puts us way ahead when we start again.

 

 

You probably have heard different versions of what happened with the last colony and I would like to provide you with my recollection of events.

 

We started with a good core group but we found out that we had several people that were associated with prior group was involved with this one. These were not individuals that were good for the group and hazing was a major issue. In fact, the original colony members started hazing new people that they picked up. This is confirmed...not a rumor. Hazing, as you may know, has been a real problem with Eta Epsilon. After we closed the chapter on March of 2001 I had several calls from members that gave accounts of the hazing and requested that we not come back for some time.....at least until everyone left or graduated. It appears that our return at end of 04 was not long enough.

We did a membership review with the colony and let several people know that they were not going to be part of the colony because of their actions. I don't know if the group accepted this or let them be part of the colony anyway.

Shortly after this our Colony Development Consultant, whose only job is to work with colonies, tried to schedule a visit to work with the group. Our person was going to be in the area but THEIR schedule didn't work out so we completely rescheduled all visits to accommodate them. When our person got to Tallahassee the colony didn't even want to meet with him. He spent major portion of his visit trying to set up a meeting with them. The colony would not send any reports, return any phone calls, etc. The University was also very upset with direction they were going. Prior to closing the group we made several different pleas but heard nothing.  This has not helped one bit to get a chapter back at FSU.

 

We (National) have paid a heavy price to be at FSU. The original chapter left owing over $20,000 for unpaid pledge and initiate fees. We returned and wrote off every dime. We also invested our money for the formation of the colony. Paid staff, travel, meals, materials for the colony, etc.  For an alumnus, that is supposed to be helping, blame 100% of everything on fault of the National office is beyond comprehension. Not saying we couldn't have done some things better..there is always room for that. The real story is that it was not fault of National, Alumni or University but the colony members themselves. All they had to do was pick up the phone and dial a toll free number. 

 

Even though we are ready to move ahead and forget the past I seriously doubt that this particular individual has that ability and his interaction with a new colony would be reason enough for us to not look at returning. 

 

I realize that you probably have a different version of events but I was actively involved with the entire process and this is my version of how things came about. Enough said..I'm ready to move forward. In the end, the only thing that matters is that we get Eta Epsilon chapter back at FSU.

 

Regarding people that have never been recognized I'm sure you have many. It was always a major problem with the chapter to properly report people. I would be willing to work with you on this to see what we can do. I have met a lot of quality Eta Epsilons and there have no doubt been many to fall between the cracks.

 

Look forward to working with you to get Eta Epsilon back.

 

Fraternally,  

 

 

 

 

Mark S. Briscoe
Executive Director
Sigma Pi Fraternity
PO Box 1897
Brentwood, TN. 37024
P: 800-332-1897
F: 615-373-8949