UT, fraternity clash over recognition for AEPi

Attempts to get the University of Tampa to recognize a chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) – an international Jewish fraternity – have failed, in a pretty emphatic way.

AEPi helped UT students form an AEPi chapter early this year in Tampa, but it lacks official recognition by the university. Officials from the national AEPi office say a UT official has declared there will “never” be a recognized AEPi chapter on campus.

While a UT official said he could not confirm or deny the “never” comment, he indicated the AEPi chapter is not welcome on campus now because it did not follow the university’s rules in recruiting students and did not follow its procedures in seeking to become a registered fraternity on campus.

Members of the chapter and the national AEPi official agree that AEPi and UT got off to a rough start, but say UT has overreacted. Chapter members were hopeful of winning UT recognition this fall, and feel that their values and those of AEPi are in harmony with UT’s. They believe they would be an asset to campus life and say without official recognition, it is difficult to function.

Without official recognition by the university, the chapter, with 15 members, cannot use UT facilities or hold activities on campus. In a letter, a UT official also has threatened disciplinary action against members of UT’s recognized Greek organizations if they associate with the unrecognized chapter.

Tim Harding, associate dean of student affairs, says the AEPi chapter that was formed by UT students was misrepresented to some students as a UT recognized fraternity – a violation of UT rules. He would not specify who made the misrepresentations.

Michael Roitman, director of chapter services for the national AEPi organization, acknowledged that initially some UT students who formed the AEPi chapter, as well as the national organization, probably represented it as associated with UT because of the expectation of winning UT recognition. But when the university advised them not to do so, they complied, Roitman said.

As for recruiting, he said national AEPi representatives only met with students who came to them expressing an interest in forming an AEPi chapter at UT, or students referred to them as having that interest. He also said his organization did supply information to UT that was part of the recognition process – insurance information, mission statement, etc.

From the university’s standpoint, Harding says the national AEPi organization did not come close to following procedures and that given the national organization’s dealings with UT, it would be difficult to envision AEPi winning UT recognition anytime soon.

Roitman claims university officials have been even more emphatic about denying recognition forAEPi. He said he recently talked with Kim Northrup, UT director of student leadership engagement. Roitman said he told her, “I understand there may be bad blood, but what can we do to move forward and get the chapter recognized?” Roitman says Northrup replied ‘Nothing, there is nothing you can do. You will never be recognized.’”

An attempt to reach Northrup was blocked by the university. A short time later Harding called the Jewish Press and said he was designated to handle all questions about the matter.

Speaking for the national fraternity, Roitman expressed dismay that the process has been troublesome at UT and noted AEPi has fully recognized chapters at seven other universities in Florida, including the University of South Florida. Internationally, AEPi has more than 150 chapters in four countries.

Harding contrasted AEPi’s efforts with another national Jewish fraternity, Zeta Beta Tau, which he said has worked closely with UT in seeking a chapter and is likely to receive UT recognition in the not too distant future.

As for UT and AEPi, two letters – one from UT’s Northrup and one from the national AEPi attorney – point to how acrimonious relations have become.

Early this month Northrup sent a letter to UT’s fraternities and sororities informing them that the AEPi chapter will not be recognized.

She wrote that the national AEPi organization “continues to recruit men on our campus despite our attempts to have them move through proper channels…” The letter advised registered student organizations not to associate with “underground” organizations in “community service activities, fundraisers, social events, meetings, etc.” and warned that disciplinary actions could be taken against those who associate, including loss of UT recognition for those groups.

In response, national AEPi attorney Stephen Bernstein wrote Northrup on Nov. 13, threatening legal action if students are disciplined for affiliating with the AEPi chapter in Tampa. The students, he wrote, “have an absolute legal right to affiliate with student and other organizations as a matter of choice and free speech.”

The letter asserted that Northrup had threatened to expel students who affiliate with the unrecognized chapter. Bernstein wrote that AEPi “has a legal right to solicit and extend memberships to individuals of its choice, including those who are students at the University of Tampa. Accordingly, you are advised that further threats to discipline or expel students who wish to affiliate with our fraternity will be regarded as tortuous interference.”

Harding denied that any expulsion threats were made.

Rob Shapiro, the Tampa AEPi chapter scribe, said, “Maybe something did get screwed up from the start. But it seems to be ‘one and done’ with no chance to get on track to become recognized.”

He added he did not feel the students did anything to warrant a permanent ban as a UT fraternity.

Ironically, AEPi officials say that they did have a recognized chapter at UT in the 1970s.

Harding said if that’s the case, it has not functioned for years and organizations have to register with the school each year.

“Our organization has core values such as community service, leadership, providing a brotherhood for young Jews to build religious and brotherhood relationships,” Shapiro said. “Socially and culturally we have strong values that align Jews and benefit the community through our action. I think if they looked beyond how we started, we could be a good team with UT.”

Another student, who asked not to be identified for fear of UT reprisals, said, “This was not the students’ fault, we had nothing to do with it. I feel like it (denial of recognition) is ridiculous on the school’s part.”

Harding said if students want to blame someone, they should look to their own national organization.