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Frat thrives despite lack of UA recognition

Joshua D. Trujillo Arizona Daily Wildcat Zeta Beta Tau fraternity President Ron Gibori, a finance senior, stands with his fraternity brothers yesterday. The fraternity has a successful program despite not being recognized by the university.

Nearly two years after losing their official UA recognition for reported party violations, members of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity say their organization is flourishing.

ZBT - which is not allowed to participate in the official University of Arizona Rush program - recruited 56 new members this fall. That number is 24 more than they pulled in during their last UA-sponsored Rush.

"We always have done well," said ZBT President Ron Gibori, an international finance senior. "Whether they say we're greek or not, we're greek."

With the new crop of initiates, Gibori said the fraternity now has between 170 and 180 members. Unlike the UA-recognized fraternities - which typically have a pledge program that lasts about one semester - ZBT initiates their new members within 72 hours.

The UA's Interfraternity Council revoked ZBT's recognition in December 1997 after the fraternity violated party risk management rules.

The Dean of Students Office reported two violations of GAMMA - Greeks Advocating Mature Management of Alcohol - that led to the loss of UA charter.

As a non-recognized group, ZBT is not allowed to participate in any UA-sponsored greek events, including the Homecoming Parade and fraternity Rush, said Bob Gordon, UA Greek Life coordinator.

Additionally, as a non-recognized chapter, ZBT does not have to follow the regulations set forth by the GAMMA, the IFC's alcohol regulatory committee.

But John Yulish, ZBT's national executive director, said the fraternity is required to adhere to national standards, which are "as strict or stricter than the university's policies."

Gibori said ZBT has several committees made up of students, advisers and national officials that enforce national policies regarding risk management and academics.

"We share a stronger set of standards because we are under a microscope," Gibori said. "We've expelled more members in the last two years than (in) the five years beforehand."

Yulish said although the UA ZBT chapter does not have to follow IFC rules during Rush, they are not using this freedom to encourage potential members to join.

"They don't rush based on 'we have no rules,'" Yulish said.

ZBT Administrative Vice President Jason Hariton, a marketing sophomore, said ZBT only accepts members who are serious about the fraternity.

"If you're here to party, this is not the place," he said.

Mike Hanassab, an undeclared freshman, said he decided to join ZBT this semester because he felt welcome by the brothers.

"Everyone was so hospitable to me," said Hanassab, who added that he visited other fraternities before deciding on ZBT.

Hanassab said he "was not at all" bothered by the fact that ZBT lacks official UA recognition.

ZBT will have the opportunity to rejoin the UA Greek community in the spring, when they will become eligible for IFC recognition. The house's members must first complete a Greek Life expansion program in order to be considered by IFC.

"They are a potential expansion group, and they are part of the Tucson community," Gordon said. "I hope that any group that enters the expansion process completes it."

But Gibori said ZBT hasn't determined whether or not it will seek IFC recognition.

"We'll have to decide whether it's better to be recognized or de-recognized," he said. "We want to be a part of greek life so we can improve it."

ZBT uses a year-long rush process that differs from the university's. Gibori said remaining unrecognized would allow them to continue that process.

National officials will continue to support ZBT as long as they are operating under their guidelines, Yulish said.

"Being part of the community is a positive thing," he said. "If they can function outside it, (we) will continue to recognize them."

In the meantime, Hariton said ZBT is working to improve its image.

Yulish said the chapter is keeping in contact with UA officials.

"They're continuing a dialogue with the administration," Yulish said. "They've done some positive things and kept their noses clean."

According to university police, officers have responded to 14 calls at the ZBT fraternity house, 1011 N. Tyndall Ave., since September of 1998.

But police department spokesman Cmdr. Brian Seastone said not all of the calls resulted in disciplinary action.

"We do not specifically target ZBT," he said.

Last month, Hariton was cited by UAPD for disturbing the peace, but said it was not a fraternity violation.

Alexis Hernandez, UA associate dean of students, said his office is not worried about safety issues at ZBT.

"We're always concerned with students and safety," he said. "(But) if someone wants to associate with ZBT, it's their choice."

Rob Meadows, president of the UA-recognized Kappa Sigma fraternity, said he is not concerned with ZBT's de-recognition.

"They're just like any other independent organization," said Meadows, a computer engineering senior. "They're just hurting themselves if they're not following GAMMA rules."

ZBT members contend, however, that their parties are similar to those that are regulated by IFC. Gibori said they have between 15-20 security guards at "any social function."

Gibori said he is in contact with several UA fraternity and sorority members, and is interested in working with them.

"We might not function with Greek Life, but we still do many things on campus." he said. "We've learned so much."