The Beta Lambda chapter of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity, formerly at SMU, may return to campus.
Their charter was removed early in the 2009 spring semester and the 18 members living in the house were originally given five days to pack up and leave. This date was later extended when the former members were not able to find housing in time. They were given the choice of moving off campus or taking whatever rooms or roommates were available.
The suspension went into effect on Feb. 14, 2009 at 5 p.m.
Although the Dallas Morning News reported that they were suspended until the 2011-2012 academic year, a recent press release from Andrew Carr, associate director for chapter development,and Jesse Lyons states that the chapter will be re-colonized at SMU this semester. Both Carr and Lyons are former KA members, but not at SMU.
Carr said KA was allowed to re-colonize its chapter a year early with full recognition from SMU after several months of negotiation between SMU administration and the Kappa Alpha Order National Administration Office.
Both Carr and Lyons think recruitment will go well with the support of alumni. He said he has already spoken to 30 interested prospective members and hopes to fill at least 20 spots this fall.
Future plans involve recruiting a full class of underclassmen in the spring and eventually, he said, their intent is to become fully chartered by the end of spring 2011 and move back into the original KA house.
The former KA house is currently home to students waiting for resident hall assignments. The building was also where the body of Joseph Hunter Green was discovered spring 2010.
KA had been on deferred suspension since December 2008 and was not allowed to host or co-host a social event whether it was on or off campus.
When the fraternity held an event off campus, allegedly having supplied alcohol to minors, they were suspended.
In order to avoid a repeat of the behavior that lost the Kappa Alpha charter, Lyons said a staff member of KA will live close by most of the semester. Additionally, an alumni advisory committee and the staff member on campus will run a full educational program for new members on the history, values and basic operation of the chapter to help new members learn from the past.
