Fraternity promises not to kill students
Victoria students have started a new fraternity, possibly the first in the country.
Beta Omega Chi President Chris Smith says membership is around 60, with the majority of members aged around 20 years.
Fraternities have gained a bad rap in the USA, where initiation ceremonies involving excessive drinking and dangerous tasks have led to many deaths. However, Smith says that although Beta Omega Chi has initiations that every prospective member must undertake, none of the tasks for pledges are dangerous or illegal.
At a meeting last week, elections were held for the fraternity council. VUWSA President Geoff Hayward was elected chair, and New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations Co-President Josh Clark was elected vice-chair. Andrew Gibson, Managing Director of The Establishment, was also made a life member at the meeting.
Beta Omega Chi is holding a launch party at The Establishment on Tuesday, May 8 from 8pm. Pre-sale tickets are available from any member for $5, with $7 door sales on the night.
Anna Duggan with reporting by Laura McQuillan