ZBT seeks new reputation at IU

After their landlord would not re-sign their lease in December, 16 members of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity are working to rebuild the chapter’s name, president Mason Reiter said.

“We want to recreate how people think of us and continue in the path of other good fraternities,” Reiter said. “We are not the same.”

All of the brothers of ZBT who were living in the house at the end of the fall semester received ZBT alumni status. However, they are not considered brothers until graduation.

The 16 members left are made up of 13 brothers who went through fall recruitment and three who were recommended to nationals by the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center.

“Hillel at IU has been so supportive of our efforts and is working with us in the education and leadership development of our brothers,” International ZBTExecutive Director Laurence Bolotin said.

Bolotin said nationals are working closely with the chapter in all areas of operation.

“In addition to having a staff presence on campus several times per month, the fraternity has appointed additional advisors who serve as local role models and mentors,” Bolotin said.

The chapter did participate in spring recruitment, and Reiter said they are hoping to add about 15 members.

However, Vice President Jesse Schreibman said not having a house is a detriment to the chapter.

“Having a house, period, is a big attraction to brothers rushing,” Schreibman said.

Reiter said the Interfraternity Council and nationals are on board to help ZBT. The only problem with the house was the landlord would not re-sign their lease.

The national organization is working with IU to determine new housing for the chapter.

“ZBT is actively working to solidify housing in the 2014-2015 academic year and beyond,” Bolotin said.

IFC Vice President of Communications Sean Jordan said IFC has made itself available as a resource to ZBT.

“IFC is working with us through the process,” Reiter said. “They are helping me with our goals, how the chapter should be run, our socials and philanthropies.”

Jordan said he thinks the round table initiative will be the most beneficial to ZBT. Round tables are where all of the chapters’ recruitment chairs, for example, get together to talk about  their practices.

He said this should really help ZBT, since they do not have much experience.

“It seems like they have a good foundation because their president is only a freshman,” Jordan said. “It is a good example of continued leadership and we are excited to have them back.”

Schreibman said they are starting with philanthropy events to help get their name out there. One upcoming event is “Get on the Ball” where they will roll a giant ball around campus and people can sign it.

ZBT will charge a couple dollars per signature. All of the money will go to Riley’s Children’s Hospital.

“We are starting with our philanthropy and advertising in a much more positive way,” Reiter said. “We try hard to explain that the fraternity isn’t the same as it was.”

Schreibman said they want to get back to where they once were, where they had the respect of the sororities and other fraternities.

“We’re on the rise,” Reiter said. “We are doing everything we can to bring back what we once were."