Suspension, Expulsion, or Voluntary Termination

A Triangle member may be suspended or expelled as prescribed in Art. 1 Sec. 6 Para. 2 of the National Bylaws.

Prior to such action, both the chapter and the man in question should be informed of the proposed action and its consequences. In many cases a vote of censure, a milder step than suspension, will effectively put the man in question on notice that the rest of the active organization finds his behavior and/or attitude questionable, and that he should take steps to correct them. Censure is not provided for in the National Constitution and Bylaws, but it is a recognized procedure in membership organizations and deliberative bodies.

If an active member no longer desires to be a member of Triangle, he may voluntarily terminate his membership. Before this action is taken, chapter officers should try to discover the real reasons for his desiring to break affiliation by calmly discussing the situation with him. A misunderstanding may be cleared up that will keep the man in the organization. If he has a legitimate complaint, it may shed light on ways to improve the organization to the advantage of all.

Suspension
A member of an active organization may be suspended for not longer than an academic school year by a three-fourths vote of the active organization exclusive of the vote of the man in question.

A suspended member ceases all fraternal activities of Triangle during the suspension period; he has no vote and takes no part in social, athletic, or ritual activities of his chapter. Suspension does not relieve the active organization of the responsibility to pay the National Active Fee with respect to the suspended member.

A suspended member is reinstated (1) when his period of suspension has ended, or (2) by a majority vote at any regular meeting of the active organization.

Expulsion
A member of an active organization may be expelled by a nine-tenths (9/10) vote of the active organization, exclusive of the vote of the man in question, or by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the active organization and the unanimous vote of the alumni organization board. A member who is expelled shall be released as prescribed in Art. 1 Sec. 6 Para. 4 of the National Bylaws. Such release shall be reported to the National Headquarters using Form H-1.

An expelled member shall return his (1) official badge, (2) membership certificate, and (3) membership card to the active organization which shall forward them to the National Headquarters. He is entitled to the return of his badge deposit. If he owes money to the active organization or the alumni organization, the amount of the debt should be deducted from the value of the badge and badge guard. Any amount paid by the active organization to an expelled member, and any amount charged against his badge deposit because of a debt will be credited to the active organization by the National Headquarters.

An expelled active may be reinstated only upon unanimous favorable vote of the active organization.

Voluntary Termination of Membership
An active member may seek and obtain a voluntary termination of membership by submitting a written request to the active organization president stating the reasons for such a request. Financial hardship cannot be one of the reasons. The member seeking termination must be interviewed by the active president, alumni president, and faculty advisor. The recommendation to terminate membership (Form H-2)and supporting information is to be forwarded to the National Headquarters along with a certification that the member has no outstanding financial obligations to the Fraternity.

A member (active, alumnus, associate or honorary member) who is voluntarily terminated shall (1) cease all fraternal activities of Triangle, (2) have no vote, (3) not take part in professional, social, athletic, or ritual activities of the Fraternity. He shall return his badge, membership card and membership certificate to the National Secretary/Treasurer and shall receive the deposit for the badge.

A member who has been voluntarily terminated may petition, in writing, the chapter for reinstatement. The petition shall state the reasons for reinstatement. Reinstatement may be granted only upon the unanimous favorable vote of the members present at the next chapter (active and alumni organizations) meeting.