Why Join A Fraternity?
This is a question that is really hard to answer in a general sense, since the reasons men join fraternities differ so much. For some, it is the lure of a huge party every so often, for others, the chance to assist in the community with various philanthropies. Anyone who visits the University of Michigan campus will quickly realize how overwhelming and it can be. Joining a fraternity is an excellent way to narrow down the numbers and make it easier to build lasting friendships. However, regardless of the reason, 99% of all men that join fraternities are pleased with their decision. There has been a lot of negative media attention lately about the Greek system, however, as like most things in life, you shouldn’t judge something until you give it a try.
Why Delta Chi?
At Michigan, we are probably quite a bit smaller than your perception of a typical fraternity. With our numbers low due to re-colonizing in the Winter of 2003, we are looking for energetic leaders to help us return to the glory that Delta Chi is known for. We have a tremendous tradition here, not only here at Michigan but within our international fraternity as a whole. Delta Chi was founded at Cornell University in 1890, but the second chapter found a home here in Ann Arbor in 1892, so as you can see we have a rich history.
Delta Chi offers a fun and exciting social atmosphere with friendly and interesting people. There is no one "type" of person that Delta Chi consists of or looks for. Because Delta Chi's members are so diverse, it frees people from social pressure to conform. Delta Chi provides a full social calendar of events, with a gaurantee that none of them will interfere with your academic pursuits. Most importantly, Delta Chi has a strict and absolute anti-hazing policy which ensures that everyone has fun without the fear of being hazed. What's the catch you ask? There is none!
What sorts of things do you guys do?
We have a complete schedule planned for each term, consisting of a number of parties (with varying themes), several philanthropic events, as well as a bunch of activities designed to strengthen our brotherhood. We also tend to have a lot of guys do a lot of spur of the moment things, such as getting a bunch of people together to go to Windsor, or road tripping to other Delta Chi chapters in the region.
What kind of living conditions will I encounter in Delta Chi?
The Delta Chi house is among the cleanest fraternity houses on campus. Our house is owned by our alumni, who use our rent to make improvements to the chapter house. Recent improvements include a new bathroom, and our house entryway. We already have a fast in-house ethernet network, with a jack in every room, and expect to have a high speed ADSL line shortly that will meet the download speeds you currently enjoy in the dorms. Many other projects are in the planning stages as well.
Won’t joining Delta Chi take away most of my time and infringe on my studies?
The answer to both questions is no. Our chapter allows each individual member to be as active in the fraternity as they want. The only requirement is to attend weekly chapter meetings, and for new members, the only requirements are to attend a few meetings to learn more about the operations and history of our fraternity. We encourage members to attend as many events as possible, but they are by no means mandatory.
As for school, we firmly believe that studies come before anything in Delta Chi. The overall Greek GPA is higher than that of the University GPA, and our GPA is higher than both. You will find that members in our chapter are determined to assist each other both in and outside of the lecture halls. Living in the house also does not interfere with studying. Through effective time management, great results can be obtained from both your studies and your Delta Chi membership.
Delta Chi gives it's members the flexibility to choose exactly how much time they want to put into the fraternity. Delta Chi can conform to your schedule and to your life-style. Schedules come and go, but Delta Chi will be there for you no matter what. Studies show that people who have a well rounded academic and social life-style, typically do better than those people who study all of the time. We guarantee that Delta Chi will enrich, not hinder your life.
Why The Myths" Of Fraternities Don't Apply To Us...
"Fraternities are based on alcohol and parties. Many fraternity members are alcholics."
As a progressive fraternity, Delta Chi prides itself on the ability to have fun with or without alcohol. Delta Chi allows you to exercise your personal freedom whether to drink or not, without pressure to conform.
"Fraternity members are underachievers. They care about partying, women, and little else."
The average GPA for all fraternity men is higher than the average GPA of a college male. At Delta Chi, your education comes first above all chapter functions.
"Fraternity members are rich, elitist snobs."
Delta Chi is proud of the varied and diverse backgrounds from which it draws it's members. Delta Chi is not expensive. In fact, it costs far less to live at Delta Chi than it does to live in any of the dorms.
"The Greek system doesn't appeal to me. I'm just not a frat guy."
Surprise! The members of Delta Chi are just like you. In fact, many members of the house spoke those exact words when the first came to Michigan. After one visit to the house, they found out why Delta Chi is not your typical fraternity.
"Fraternities are behind the time. They are outdated and no-longer necessary."
Being a progressive fraternity, Delta Chi changes to meet the times. Being in a fraternity is a fun and exciting way to go through college. It allows its members to truly make the best of their college years.
The Mentality Behind Hazing, And Why We Don't Do It
Hazing attempts to destroy the individual in order to rebuild him in the image of the fraternity.
Delta Chi enjoys the character and personality that you already possess.
Hazing supposedly builds pledge class unity through mutual sufferning.
Believing that hazing creates resentment against the rest of the chapter, Delta Chi prefers to build chapter unity.
Hazing requires individuals to work for the respect of their brothers through a grueling pledge term.
At Delta Chi, you are a brother from day one. Our Associate Members (not pledges) are treated as equals to our members.
Hazing attempts to create and maintain an "exclusive" image.
Delta Chi prefers to be inclusive in practice. Our members have long forgotten the pressure to be exclusive.
Hazing is a self perpetuating tradition No one wants to be the last on hazed. --- "I got hazed, so that makes it OK for me to do it."
Delta Chi was the first social fraterntiy to abolish "hell week" nation-wide in 1929. Our goal is to build people up, rather than tearing them down.
Hazing is believed to weed the "bad" pledges out, leaving only the best ones.
Hazing turns good people away from fraternities in general. Delta Chi believes the only people hazing weeds out are the ones with dignity and self respect.
Anything Else?
Delta Chi is a very large fraternity, with 127 chapters in the U.S. and Canada. All Delta Chi's are supportive of each other, no matter where they come from, which means that you've got a home in every city where there is a Delta Chi chapter.
The extensive history and size of Delta Chi results in a very large alumni base. You never know what connections you can make after you graduate, or you may even find out that the person interviewing you is a Delta Chi!
At Delta Chi, we establish an environment where it is easy to make friends quickly. You will be suprised how many people you will meet, friends you will make, and experiences you will have as a member of Delta Chi. |
