As in effect on August 3, 2024.

ARTICLE 1 - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 6 - RELEASE OF CANDIDATES AND MEMBERS

Para. 1 - Release of Candidates

A candidate shall be released:

  1. if he has not been initiated within one calendar year after pledging;
  2. if he withdraws from school or if he fails to return for school for any regular term during his candidacy;
  3. if he becomes ineligible for membership by reason of not being enrolled in an approved curriculum as specified in these Bylaws;
  4. upon his own request, after the president and vice president of the active organization have discussed the matter with him and have clearly determined his reasons for the request;
  5. if, at any time, it is found that he was ineligible to become a candidate at the time of his pledging, according to the requirements of these Bylaws and of the National Constitution;
  6. if he enters into any negotiations for securing membership in any other national academic college fraternity;
  7. if he evidences unwillingness to conform to the directions given for preparation for initiation;
  8. if he refuses to complete or to regard seriously the various steps in the initiation; or;
  9. upon the majority vote of the active organization taken not less than two weeks subsequent to such a proposal at an active organization meeting.

Para. 2 - Suspension and Expulsion of Members

  1. A member of an active organization may be suspended or expelled by three-fourths (3/4) vote of the active organization of the chapter, excepting the vote of the man or men in question. A suspension must have a defined period which may not exceed one year. If the meeting is a regularly scheduled meeting, the votes of the members who are absent shall be cast with the majority of those present and eligible to vote. Proxy votes shall not be permitted. All voting members shall be given notice at least one week in advance of the meeting that a question of suspension or expulsion is to be considered. Members for whom suspension or expulsion is to be considered shall be informed in advance and in writing of the basis of such action. Meetings specially convened to consider suspension or expulsion should be avoided, but if such a meeting is necessary and called, notice shall be served to all voting members and the members for whom the suspension or expulsion is to be considered. Suspension of an active member shall not relieve the active organization of the responsibility to pay the National Active Fee with respect to the suspended member.

    An active member may request, in writing, suspension for hardship reasons. Requests for suspension in excess of one year cannot be considered, but a renewal of suspension can be considered upon written request.

  2. An alumni, associate, chapter honorary member, or distinguished fellow may be suspended or expelled following action on a petition by any alumni or associate member. The elected officers of the chapter (officers in the active and alumni organizations) must act on the petition within 30 days of its receipt. In case the majority of officers are in favor of suspension or expulsion, the member is suspended until the next regular or special meeting of the chapter. The man so suspended shall be so notified, and he shall be given not less than 30 days written notice of the time and place of the next regular or special chapter meeting. The time and place of this meeting will be determined and agreed to by the active president and alumni president.

    When an alumni, associate, chapter honorary member, or distinguished fellow has been suspended by action of the chapter officers as prescribed above, he may be expelled by a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the members (other than the man suspended) present at the next regular or special chapter meeting, provided there are at least 25 members present, including 12 alumni or associate members. Upon failure of the vote to expel, a majority vote shall decide on further suspension or reinstatement. A member may be considered "present" at the meeting via conference telephone or other communications equipment as long as they can communicate with all persons participating in the meeting.

  3. A member of TRIANGLE may be suspended or expelled by National Council. The member and, in the case of active, alumni, associate, or chapter honorary members, his chapter (both the active organization and the alumni organization) shall be given written notice of the charges and the time and place of the next regular meeting of National Council at which the member will be given a hearing. Such notice shall be delivered at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled hearing. Suspension shall be by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of National Council, and expulsion shall be by unanimous vote of National Council.

    Within fifteen (15) days following suspension or expulsion by National Council, the National President shall appoint an appeals board consisting of the three most recent Past National Presidents who are not currently serving on National Council and who are able and willing to serve. This board shall examine the charges against the member and shall vote on the member's continued suspension or expulsion. A majority vote of the appeals board is required to sustain the decision by National Council.

  4. A member who is suspended shall cease all fraternal activities of TRIANGLE during the period of suspension; he shall have no vote in chapter or national affairs and shall not take part in social, athletic, professional or ritual activities of his chapter.
  5. A member who is expelled shall be released as prescribed by these Bylaws. He shall return his badge, membership card and membership certificate to the active organization secretary or national Secretary and shall receive the deposit for the same. National Council shall reimburse the chapter or the member recovering the badge upon receipt of the badge.

Para. 3 - Voluntary Termination of Membership

  1. An active member may seek and obtain a voluntary termination of membership in the Fraternity by submitting a written request to the active organization president. The request for termination shall state the reasons for such a request, but shall not include short-term financial hardship. When possible, the member seeking termination of membership shall be interviewed by at least one member to confirm that the termination would be to the mutual benefit of the member and the Fraternity. It should be understood that termination of membership is intended to be permanent and not a temporary status. The request to terminate membership and supporting information shall be forwarded to the National Headquarters. Upon receipt, the National Secretary (or his designee) shall remove the name of the member from the rolls of the Fraternity.
  2. An alumni, associate, honorary member, or distinguished fellow may seek and obtain a voluntary termination of membership in the Fraternity by submitting a written request to the National Headquarters. The request for termination shall state the reasons for such a request. Voluntary termination may be granted when the termination would be to the mutual benefit of the member and the Fraternity or the member has lost all interest in the Fraternity. Upon receipt of the request and the determination that the member has lost all interest in the Fraternity, the National Secretary (or his designee) shall remove the name of the member from the rolls of the Fraternity.
  3. A member who is voluntarily terminated shall cease all fraternal activities of TRIANGLE; he shall have no vote and shall not take part in social, athletic, professional or ritual activities of the Fraternity. He shall return his badge, membership card and membership certificate to the active organization secretary or National Headquarters.

Para. 4 - Release of a Member or Candidate

  1. The Release Oath shall be administered by the president of the active organization for candidates and active members and by the president of the alumni organization or a representative designated by National Council for other members. Whenever possible, the release oath shall be administered in the presence of at least two members as witnesses.
  2. In case the candidate or member to be released has left the chapter and a personal meeting cannot be arranged, the president shall forward, by certified mail, a copy of the Release Oath, requesting the person to affirm the Release Oath by signing it and returning it by mail.
  3. Every release, whether in the case of a candidate or of a member, shall be recorded with the Secretary and a statement of the details of the case shall be filed with the Secretary.
  4. If for any reason, a member or candidate is to be released, the following Release Oath shall be administered:
    "I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will in no way make intelligible to others any of the secrets of TRIANGLE that are known to me. I will never express myself in any way so as to defame the name of TRIANGLE or any of its members."

Para. 5 - Reinstatement of Members.

  1. A suspended member shall be reinstated when his period of suspension has elapsed or by a majority vote at any regular meeting:
    1. of the active organization in the case of an active member suspended by the active organization, or;
    2. of the chapter in the case of an alumni, associate, chapter honorary member, or distinguished fellow suspended by the chapter, or;
    3. of National Council in the case of a member suspended by National Council.
  2. After being expelled by a chapter, an alumni, associate, chapter honorary member, or distinguished fellow may petition the applicable body (i.e., active organization, chapter, or National Council) for reinstatement. Such reinstatement may be granted only upon the three-fourths (3/4) favorable vote by the applicable body at the next regular meeting of that body.
  3. An active member who has been voluntarily terminated may petition, in writing, the active organization for reinstatement. The petition shall state the reasons for reinstatement. Such reinstatement may be granted only upon the three-fourths (3/4) favorable vote of the members present at the next active organization meeting.
  4. An alumni, associate, honorary member, or distinguished fellow who has been voluntarily terminated may petition, in writing, National Council for reinstatement. The petition shall state the reasons for reinstatement. Such reinstatement may be granted only upon the three-fourths (3/4) favorable vote of the members of National Council present at the next meeting.