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Theta Chi blood drive forced out of Shriver

Laura Lepczyk

Despite their suspension from Miami University last year, the nationally recognized Theta Chi is attempting to organize events on campus - but not without pitfalls.

Theta Chi organized a blood drive Wednesday in cooperation with the Hoxworth Blood Center, which is the sole supplier of blood to 25 hospitals in the area.

The blood drive was originally scheduled at the Heritage Room in Shriver Center, but the fraternity was informed two weeks ago that they would not be allowed to use the facilities. Miami does not allow groups not recognized or approved by the university to use on campus facilities.

"Theta Chi is not a recognized organization on Miami's campus and therefore cannot register events at Shriver," said Steve Dealph, director of the Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and Leadership. "The university is obligated to be consistent

with that."

The location was changed to Theta Chi's fraternity house parking lot, but when the bloodmobile arrived, Hoxworth was unable to take blood because of the uneven ground level.

"Based on our guidelines, the location would not allow us to operate," said Gene Boyd, a Hoxworth team leader.

Boyd said the Hoxworth offices contacted the Miami parking office and was granted permission to use Millett Parking lot.

"We were very happy with their cooperation because otherwise we would have lost all of these donors," Boyd said.

Theta Chi recruited 40 volunteers, despite the confusion due to the changes of location. Tony Kabealo, Theta Chi's philanthropy chair, said the event was a success.

"I want the campus to know we are still around," Kabealo said. "It's so difficult to have an event without the cooperation of the university so I am excited we were able to get this together."

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Theta Chi was suspended last school year after the chapter was found in violation of the university's Code of Student Conduct. Miami made a decision not to recognize Theta Chi until Dec. 31, 2007, however the fraternity's national board of directors decided to keep the Gamma Kappa chapter of Theta Chi open.