Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2014, No.03 – THE TROLL SPEAKS

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ACTIVE CHAPTER UPDATE:

I was driving down West End this evening, and did a drive-by to look at the ATO House.  It looked abandoned. 

So, I wrote a note to Active Kevin “The Troll” Groll, who was very involved in leading the Active Chapter after the infamous PC TORPEDO E-MAIL got them in hot water.

My E-mail to Troll:

Kevin:

I drove by the ATO House this evening – about half hour ago – and although cars were parked in the back, the House itself looked pretty dead.

Could you update me?  I have several questions.

Wynn Smiley told me that he worked out a compromise that basically said – if the ATO’s behave, Vanderbilt might allow the Chapter to recruit new pledges this Spring, and that Wynn Smiley would work with the younger group of Actives to “build new leadership.”

Is any of that in the works?

Are any guys living in the House?

Who is taking care of the House?  Who is House Manager?

Are Actives paying dues?

Has “The Vanderbilt University” wounded ATO mortally, or are we still “alive?”

I’d like to write something in my blog to update my fellow “oldsters”.

Please let me know, we all want to see the ATO Active Chapter flourish.

VTL,

Larry Simons

RESPONSE FROM GROLL THE TROLL:

Mr. Simons,

Excuse the delayed response. We are currently on spring break and I am enjoying the beach in Gulf Shores. 

The chapter is moving forward. We were able to hold elections as part of the agreement between the National Fraternity and Vanderbilt. National has also provided the assistance of Dave Westol, a highly reputable fraternity advisor, to aid the rebuilding process. 

No one is currently living in the house, as we are not allowed on the premises. I presume the people taking care of the house are the school maintenance people that care for all Greek houses. 

We did not invoke due payments for this semester as the money is not needed. However, most non senior members have committed to continuing payments come the fall. 

Finally, the chapter is more than alive. We have been wounded, but have already begun the growth process. 

I hope these updates help and feel free to pass them along to fellow alumni. 

L&R,

Kevin Groll

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“THE DOUBLE SECRET PROBATION / DE-GIFTING CAMPAIGN”

As you know, Beta Pi Blog is committed to keeping an eye on the DOUBLE SECRET PROBATION assault by Vanderbilt Corporate PC yes-men. 

A little history . . .  Vanderbilt SUSPENDED the Active Chapter, because the Rush Chair sent a prurient e-mail, a satirical piece that was aimed at potential recruits.  It was indeed foul. But let’s be real: it is the way college kids talk now; and, it is very similar to the way WE talked back in the 70’s (back then, the word “suck” was considered profane; compare that to today, the word “suck” is part of everyday lexicon). 

The BIG DIFFERENCE is we had the sense not to put trash talk in writing (in fairness we didn’t have e-mail, or social networking.  Hell, the smallest computer we had filled up an entire building).  The point is, we talked that way too, it was simply confined to the air.  People heard us talking trash . . . we were fond of saying “You suck!”  But we didn’t commit our profanities to writing.

The unfortunate guy who wrote the e-mail, the Rush Chair, put a lot of silly trash talk into an e-mail, and sent it to a lot of people.  It naturally made its way to Dean Bandass (and yes, that is the Right Honorable Dean’s REAL name).

As was appropriate, the offending fellow was ousted from ATO by the Active Chapter, and also by National. But that wasn’t enough. 



Vanderbilt conducted a kangaroo court, and brought up some previous infractions by the Chapter, namely providing alcohol to pledges.  (to THINK, alcohol in college!) 

So, the “E-PORNO” was just the straw that broke the camel’s back.  THAT is how the Actives got put on DOUBLE SECRET PROBATION.

IT WAS NOT FAIR, not when (the previous semester) another House on campus got caught with cocaine, and GET THIS:  they appealed their suspension, AND WON.  Needless to say, I advised the Actives to appeal.

SO, in December, Mike McCarty and I had discussions with Mr. Wynn  Smiley, CEO of ATO National, regarding the Active Chapter Suspension.  The Actives chose not to appeal the suspension.  However, in the run up to the appeal deadline, we pressured Mr. Smiley to renegotiate with Dean Bandas, in an effort to turn around the suspension. 

Wynn Smiley worked out a compromise with Dean Bandas:  The Chapter remains suspended, with a chance to recruit a new Pledge Class this Spring!  This Spring 2014, ATO National will be working with the Sophomores to reorganize new leadership, and Mr. Smiley said if they can demonstrate “an ability to operate effectively” in the eyes of Dean Bandas, then, the suspension might be lifted to allow them to recruit for a Spring Pledge Class in 2014.  That is WAY better than the flat suspension, which would have meant NO new pledge class in 2014, period. 

So, we will continue to watch and learn.

THE DE-GIFTING CAMPAIGN. 

As long as Vanderbilt has the ATO Active Chapter on “Double Secret Probation” -  our campaign to "communicate" our displeasure to Vanderbilt needs to continue.  Vanderbilt needs to know that we have the backs of the Active Chapter.

One conservative alum told me he thinks this campaign - encouraging guys not to give - is "harmful to the Institution."  Sniff-sniff.  Wow, I really want to give alot of thought to that!  Ok, I'm done thinking.   Here are the Alums who have boldly committed to stop giving money to Vanderbilt:

Here is the updated list of supportive ATO Alums.  We SHALL be heard, SO SAY

JACK MUENCH
TIM CUSACK
JEFF OVERBY
CHET BREWER
JOHN HARTONG
MIKE McCARTY
PIERCE HODNETTE
GEORGE FORD
COREY CLARK
RICHARD NOONAN
MARK McGANN
KEITH SCHNEIDER
MARTY HEFLIN
FRANK BILLER
HERB LADLEY
VAN SAYLER
TOM LOVINGGOOD
J. NEAL CRENSHAW
CONRAD PETERSEN
RICK ZISKA
JEFF PEROUT
BOB SMOOT
CHARLY McGIBONY
TISON KEEL

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BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS:   As of March 8, 2014, there are 37 Blog Website Members; there are 115 ATO’s on the blog list, plus 16 ATO Gal-Pals.  And, there are 6 Brothers who do not have e-mail, led by J.D. Strickland who refuses to get a computer. 

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, 72