The men’s social fraternity, the Triniteers, is currently applying to become active on campus after its charter was revoked in 2006. The effort is being driven by former “˜Teers eager to showcase their strong alumni base. Although no firm return date is set, “˜Teers alumni look forward to restarting their organization from scratch.
Removed from campus in 2006 due to infractions during orientation, the “˜Teers were given a five-year ban and the opportunity to apply for reinstatement after that time. Plans were put on hold after the orientation allegations against the Bengal Lancers, Gamma Chi Delta, SPURS and Chi Delta Tau surfaced.
Jeremy Boyce “˜03, coordinator of athletic recruitment and success and a member of the Teers while an undergraduate, says the university wanted to wait until those issues were resolved.
“There has been a pattern of problems during orientation,” Boyce said. “We had problems in 2006 and then it happened to those four organizations.”
The “˜Teers are utilizing an assignment similar to that given to the once-suspended organizations. Working closely with the “˜Teers on this effort is Michael Fischer, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty.
“The “˜Teers have been very cooperative since work started in the summer,” Fischer said. “They acknowledged past mistakes and that the revocation of the charter was deserved.”
Boyce also referenced mistakes made in the past and said that, as alumni, the Teers now have the hindsight to recognize those shortfalls and the ability to plan accordingly in the future. He points out the key difference between the “˜Teers and the other four organizations, saying that the revocation of their charter eliminated all members who committed infractions.
“You could call it a recolonization instead of a reinstatement,” said Boyce. “We are starting fresh. Teers do not have any active members on campus now and so going forward everything will be coordinated by alumni.”
The Teers alumni are focusing on correcting orientation, where they made errors in the past. Boyce discusses more alumni involvement with the goal of creating leaders on campus that will restore the “˜Teers’ legacy.
Boyce said that “˜Teers who have continued underground will be expected to meet the rush as new members and must adhere to the academic standards, community service activities and values of the “˜Teers organization once it returns. A new mentality, Boyce said, is the key to reaching that well-respected level. Existing underground “˜Teers declined to comment on the story.
These values coincide with the four pillars of fraternity and sorority life at Trinity, which Fischer deems essential to growth and learning from mistakes. These include scholarship, camaraderie, leadership and service.
A blueprint approved in May by the university is designed to ensure the long-term success of all fraternity and sorority life on campus, which would include the “˜Teers upon their return. The three implementation committees will include Communication, Standards and Orientation.
Chaplain and alumni chair as an undergrad, Boyce stressed the importance of alumni involvement. He said that although the orientation issues are negative, they have been helpful in reintroducing alumni to their organizations and rekindling interest.
He recalls his days as a Teer on campus and says the best memories were in the “everyday.”
“We were a close group of friends but never exclusive,” said Boyce. “You didn’t have to fit a certain niche and those guys are still my good friends today. That is what I want future “˜Teers to come to know.”
