Two Arrested in Ball State Theft Case

[exlurker]

The Ball State student paper reports:

http://media.www.bsudailynews.com/me...-3121543.shtml

Brief excerpts:
A member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity remains in Delaware County jail after he and another member were arrested early Wednesday in connection with a burglary at the Theta Chi fraternity house, according to jail officials.

. . . Gene Burton, director of public safety, said police arrested the men after they were found with property that Theta Chi reported as stolen Tuesday.

According to police reports, Theta Chi reported somebody had stolen paddles, trophies, composite photos and a fraternity flag from the house . . . .

[Benzgirl]

Um, we use to steal composites all of the time.

[SWTXBelle]

It's all fun and games until someone gets arrested . . .

[ForeverRoses]

The fraternities at OU used to steal composites all of the time-- it was actually seen as a strange sign that you were "cool" if certain fraternities stole your composite. The usually would hang it in their own house before a party. But then one took it too far and damaged the composite. So then Greek Life stepped in and composite stealing was no more...

[banditone]

We stole them also. But we always returned them.

[Benzgirl]

If we stole a composite from a Fraternity, they had to "earn it" back. This could be done through a variety of ways. Typically, it was either a seranade with flowers or a Raid on the House where they would bring Pizza or Ice Cream.

[TSteven]

Composites were *borrowed* from sororities and held for ransom. Either clues were left or a ransom note was sent. The sorority chapter (sometimes just their pledge class) would then come to the house and serenade to get the composite back. This was often followed by an informal or impromptu mixer.

I should add that this was often accomplished with the help (and approval as it were) of the sorority's House Mother. Or in a few occasions, the sorority's social chair/pledge trainer would be in on it. Bottom line is that it wasn't done with any intent of malice, but in the spirit of good ole college fun.

[Tom Earp]

It is until it gets out of hand.

[ealymc]

Our original charter was stolen and destroyed by some bad ass Sig Tau who bragged about it later like an idiot... he was promptly terminated.

[Kevin]

Our colony status was jeopardized when one of our more probationary colony members decided to take it upon himself to collect the charter from every other fraternity on campus.

He did it too.

And as above, he was terminated post-haste.

[exlurker]

Ball State Delta Tau Delta Membership Review (Update January 8, 2008)

http://media.www.bsudailynews.com/me...-3147247.shtml

Brief excerpts from the article in the student paper:

Members of the Ball State University chapter of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity underwent a national fraternity membership review on Saturday.

Cara Luyster, assistant director of student life, said the review was deemed necessary by the national fraternity after two of the chapter's . . . were arrested after being found in possession of stolen property.

Members from the national fraternity visited campus to conduct interviews with each individual member of the fraternity . . . .

"It's an assessment of the culture of the fraternity as a whole," Luyster said. . . .

"No decisions have been made final yet," she said. "After the interview process, if there are enough men who will remain members, the house will go on. If not they could potentially shut down the chapter although that would be an extreme case."

. . . Officials from the Delaware County Prosecutors Office were unable to comment on whether charges had been filed against the two suspects.

Luyster said she expected to hear back from the national Delta Tau Delta representatives next week, but that it could take more time. She said that was when the university would determine what actions it would take toward the fraternity. . . .

[exlurker]

Delta Tau Delta Expels 19 Members, Suspends Others (Update January 23, 2008)

The result of the membership review are described in an article in the campus paper:

http://media.www.bsudailynews.com/me...-3163191.shtml