User:Wolfraem/Beta Sigma Theta

Beta Sigma Theta (ΒΣΘ) is one of three remaining local fraternities at Michigan Technological University.

The objectives of Beta Sigma Theta are:
 * to promote a fraternity of students on the campus of Michigan Technological University;
 * to promote an atmosphere conducive to social, academic, and personal growth;
 * to inform its members of their responsibility not only to themselves but to those that they have the ability to help.

Beginnings
Beta Sigma Theta evolved from a chapter of Gamma Delta, an international Lutheran student organization organized in 1946. In Spring 1961, Dr. Hahn of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, referred several of Gamma Delta's male members to Beta Sigma Psi, a national fraternity for Lutheran men. Delegates from the group were sent to the Beta Sigma Psi national conventions in Lincoln, Nebraska in Spring 1961 and Spring 1962. They were encouraged by Beta Sigma Psi to start a new colony at Houghton.

On April 4, 1962, the group met for the first time officially, adopted a local constitution, elected officers and selected the name Alpha Zeta Chi for the colony. By the end of May 1962, the "Alpha Zets" had voted to accept Brother Dave Kallio's paddle design as the official design of the fraternity. They also formed an honorary alumni chapter consisting of local Lutheran businessmen and university professors.

Theta chapter of Beta Sigma Psi
On October 6, 1962, sixteen members and six honorary alumni of Alpha Zeta Chi were initiated into the National Fraternity of Beta Sigma Psi as Theta Chapter.

The first chapter house was located at 1709 College Avenue and was rented from the University. Called the Robinson House, it had formerly been a residence for women. The membership moved in during the fall term of 1962 and had their first and only housemother in residence, Mrs. Zella King. The location is now a parking lot between Wadsworth Hall and Douglass Hougton Hall.

The present home for Beta Sigma Theta was purchased in March 1963 and first occupied on May 25, 1963. The 27-room house, set on a 200' x 200' property site, was purchased for $30,000 from the estate of the late Christopher Columbus Douglas, a local realtor. Facilities now include a sauna, weight room, industrial cooking unit, recreation room/bar, and a garage detached from the house.

Separation
Although the men of Theta respected the ideals of the chapter founders in establishing a fraternity dedicated to the Lutheran faith, attitudes and needs were changing on the campus in the early 1970s. Theta Chapter did not enjoy the advantages of other Beta Sigma Psi chapters located on campuses with larger numbers of Lutheran students. As early as 1965, the active membership discussed the possibility of accepting men of all religious faiths. Believing that the policy did not attract Lutheran students and only served to exclude others, the membership decided to accept non-Lutherans as "social affiliates" in Spring 1972. Social affiliates were not allowed membership privileges but were able to participate with members socially.

In the fall on 1972, delegates from the Theta Chapter attended the National Convention in Spirit Lake, Iowa and proposed that Beta Sigma Psi open its doors to men of all faiths. Beta Chapter and three other chapters were already pledging non-Lutherans. All variations of the motion were soundly defeated by wide margins, with only those four chapters voting for it. Delegates were sent to the Regional Convention at Epsilon Chapter in Ames, Iowa in April, 1973 in another attempt to open the doors to all men. However, of the six chapters in attendance, three voted that Theta should not be allowed to accept non-Lutherans.

Theta Chapter polled its alumni and discussed all possibilities with the holders of the house. After much consideration, attempts at compromise, and deliberation, Theta Chapter formally withdrew from National on April 9, 1973 to become a local fraternity. The active membership was already well-known on campus as Beta Sigs, so the group chose Beta Sigma Theta as its new name. All alumni from Theta Chapter received the option of full recognition from the "new" fraternity. On June 6, 1973, Beta Sigma Theta received official recognition from Michigan Technological University.

The members of Beta Sigma Theta are now informally called "Bet-Sigs".

Notable Alumni
Gary Bazuin, Holder of 2 patents http://radaris.com/p/Gary/Bazuin/ Christopher Oberski, Holder of 8 patents http://www.faqs.org/patents/inventor/christopher-oberski-plymouth-us-1/ Brent Doble http://www.bvbinfo.com/player.asp?ID=30