Lambda Chi Alpha - University of Illinois

3 Chi Zetagram One year ago we got first notice of drug investigations involving then-members of Lambda Chi Alpha. We were fortunate that the Board of Directors had already recruited a dedicated group of alumni who could quickly refocus their attention to address the issue. e next 11 months included anger and action, pain and perseverance, frustration and focus at the highest levels. is you already know, but let me add that I've never been more humbled or impressed than by the commitment and actions of the brothers who rose to this challenge on our behalf (with deepest respect to Pete Kale '75 X1020, Dick Prebil '72 X973, Eric Mennel '84 X1207, High Pi Steve Parsons '94 ΦΒ341 and High Alpha Sam Sagan '12 X2044). What you may not know is that we didn't just act; first we asked the awful question, "Is the chapter worth saving?" And we were serious, for if things were out of control we'd have pulled the plug ourselves. Answering this took months of intense investigation, including emotional personal interviews of all active members, but we were rewarded with insights that allowed the Board of Directors to move forward with confidence that the effort was just. You've heard the results in part; many members were expelled or resigned for violating the core principles of Lambda Chi Alpha and Chi Zeta or refusing to embrace them fully going forward. Now let me add something important: the men who remain in our chapter at Illinois have passed these difficult tests and, moreover, they impressed us. e leaders, including High Alpha Sam Sagan '12 X2044 and High Rho Jeremy Loescher '12 X2016, are as fine as any I've known through the years, and that includes some truly outstanding and distinguished brothers. Of course, our recognition that these men were worthy of support didn't answer the challenge. e university is not shy about revoking fraternity charters for similar, and lesser, conduct, fearing it reflects a culture in the chapter that must be ended. Brothers, in my view the outcome of the formal hearing recently reported to you is therefore both appropriate and illuminating. Appropriate because we were convinced that the membership of our new chapter, who have worked with us to build what might be the strongest group in years or decades, deserved a second chance. Illuminating because it tells us that the university agrees. eir investigation of the men in the chapter was as intense as ours, more so in some ways. If they felt there was any residual bad culture in the house, we would be history now. Instead they saw the positives in Chi Zeta worth a second chance. We all, undergraduates and alumni alike, will prove them right. So where are does this leave us? We'll each have our own view, but in my opinion there was true advantage in this adversity. e leadership of the chapter at the time, though good, wasn't best prepared to recognize or deal with such a problem. Alumni were not connected enough to the day-to-day activities to offer any insights. And the old house complicated matters in ways we were oblivious to as alumni, not adequately supporting the large membership on campus or providing a positive recruitment or retention tool. But our eyes have been opened and lessons learned. e destructive culture of a small clique is gone, and a positive new chapter focus has grown. Chapter leaders are wiser now and will be better prepared for any future challenges. To assist, we are requiring all present and future officers to participate in an excellent university-sponsored leadership training program. Each officer will also have an experienced alumni brother as an advisor. And the new H.G. Menke Mentoring Program will give each of us a chance to connect to the men in our chapter in new and rewarding ways. e alumni and active members have been brought much closer together, and that will be a lasting and rewarding new paradigm. We have a great group of men on campus worthy of our support, including new members excited to be part of Chi Zeta. e Alumni Association has been tested and tempered and is, I believe, the strongest we've ever had. All alumni are connected to the chapter in important ways that will carry forward and invigorate the meaning of Lifetime Brotherhood at Chi Zeta. is is our new foundation for the future. Stronger, wiser, more committed and involved than ever. Both alumni and undergraduates can return to building what will surely be our best era ever at Illinois. ough I hate how we got here, I'm even more excited now for our great future! It is said that "ere is no education like adversity." It's time to put our education to work. I'm excited to be part of it, and I want you to join us in this important effort. Let's look forward and get back to having fun doing it together! Feel free to contact me directly if you'd like to share your thoughts on this; I'd love to talk with you. Yours in ZAX, John Crook '72 X980 Chairman, Communications Committee john@crookmail.com / (303) 663-0788 Alumni Letter of Support In response to the recent letter announcing resolution of challenges for Chi Zeta, the Board of Directors received several notes of thanks and support. We'd like to share one with you: Dear Brothers, ank you for sending me the update on the status of our Chi Zeta. Congratulations on the progress you've made in cleaning up the problem and changing the culture of our chapter. I'm impressed with the response and leadership demonstrated by both our alumni and the undergraduate members. I hope we will be able to take this as an opportunity to build a truly great fraternity in all respects. I look forward to hearing more about the progress during the coming year. Best wishes for success. Yours in ZAX, Paul Witkay '72 X992 Founder and CEO Alliance of Chief Executives Time to Build Our Future (Continued from page 1)

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