The Era of Reform ('60s)

The chapter entered the 1960's with declining membership. The number of active members fell under 30 in 1959, a level which would not be reached again until the early 1990's. Awards such as dork, guiding light, and wedge were awarded for the first time at chapter during 1960, beginning a 30 year tradition. And in 1966 the chapter created the PW award. Starting another chapter tradition, members ended the meetings with a joke. There were numerous awards at the end of the year, including ones for all weekly chapter awards (a favorite was the "joke of the year").

Unfortunately, the house was ailing financially, socially, and physically. The chapter hit a $2000 deficit in 1961. Delta Chi sought help for its declining rush numbers from IHQ as well as the Michigan State, Western Michigan, and Wayne State chapters. Membership stabilized between 17 and 21 members for most of the decade. A $15 house improvement tax was levied against members to encourage the physical improvement of the house. Gifts by organizations such as the Delta Chi Mothers' Club also furthered house improvement. In related news, the chapter bought its first officially recorded keg at this time.

One of the most interesting cases of a Michigan Delta Chi involves that of Howard Wiarda. Wiarda joined the chapter in 1960, and was one of many brothers having financial problems. He was also one of two brothers charged in 1962 with not paying house bills stemming from a dispute over a meal charge. While the other brother resigned himself from the fraternity, Wiarda decided to attempt to prove his casein an expulsion trial. In May, 1963 he became the only member of the Michigan Chapter ever expelled (though there have been calls for expulsion trials on numerous occasions in the chapter's history, this is the only one that ever actually took place).
In January, 1969, the matter was taken up again by the chapter for an unknown reason. The case was reexamined, and after two weeks the chapter determined that Wiarda would be reinstated as a Delta Chi. Apparently he had remained involved in Delta Chi, assisting the Massachusetts Chapter, but he had not requested to be reinstated by the Michigan Chapter.

The restrictions that had governed Delta Chi loosened during the 1960's. Brothers were allowed casual visits by female visitors (as opposed to formal visits only) during certain hours of the day starting in November, 1963 (in accordance with University policy). The University shortened the academic year from September to April in 1964. And dress regulations were canceled in 1966, the same year the University celebrated its sesquicentennial with an all-campus pillow fight.

?Other 1960's events included the introduction of scholarship awards in 1962 for the highest and most improved grade point. The pool table was moved to the basement in February, 1967. The chapter, upset with lack of help with rush by IHQ, came with one vote of becoming a local fraternity only, in 1969. The chapter's financial problems continued as well, as Building Corporation refused to open the house in Fall 1969 unless all accounts receivable were paid. The chapter also acquired its current telephone number of 761-6442 in October, 1969. And the chapter hired the now-legendary J.R. Russell as cook in early 1969, a position which he would hold continuously until the end of 1978. He would return for another stint as cook in the early 1980's.