Thinking about starting a new fraternity on campus...Need advice
 

I am thinking about starting a new fraternity on campus (a national recognized one). I have somewhat narrowed it down to Theta Chi or hi Delta Theta..

The only concern I have with starting one of these are that the laws set by national are that NO alcohol are allowed anywhere on the chapters property. Basically meaning the Greek house/property must be alcohol free at all times.

An upside is that my university is building a Greek village (should be completed in a couple months). The houses that are being built are huge; the house would basically be 20 bedrooms/ 23 baths, chapter meeting room, living/dining, kitchen, patio etc...(the house would also be completely furnished.

The community will contain many other great things such as basketball court, volleyball court, open field, and there will be a community commons with study rooms, studio apartments for guest (maybe if your parents come to visit), and its gated etc…

There will also be a building located in the community where you can host events (parties) etc.....


Is there anyone in the Theta Chi or Phi Delta Theta fraternities?
Do you all think it would be hard to get new members to join etc....?
Any advice would be great...
Also if you have any other fraternities you would recommend I look into that would be great.

Re
 

I have contacted my schools Greek Life Director and they are acceping new applications for fraternities on campus. I also contacted all the organizations I was interested in starting at my campus and talked with each one my university meet all the requirements to be granted a colony...

I wouls say the school's greek scene is growing every year. That is one reason the university has built this Greek Village. This greek village is not small at all. It contains about 20-23 Greek housing which are all 20 bed/23 bath, and there are about 6-7 townhoses for smaller greek organizations. Then there is the community commons for guest

So I would think that the school would not spend millions of dollars building this community if the greek scene on campus was not growing

My boyfriend is in a colony at a school that already has a lot of fraternities and a relatively small greek population compared to the student body population. They have had a hard time recruiting new men for this very reason, KSUViolet brings up a very good point and something that is definitely worth considering. BF is constantly talking about how nationals wants them to get more members but how it is hard to compete with all the other chapters that have been around for a lot longer.

With any new member they would want to know why should they join one opposed to the other but being a new one will create more challenges because we are technically unestablished on campus.
---Unlike other greek houses on campus we cannot say we have specific traditions/events that happen; which might interest new members

Honestly at the starting of the fraternity I would say the "only" thing we can offer new members is the chance to help create a new tradition. because within the first year all members will help mold the fraternity and it gives them a chance to leave their mark at the school. and also it gives them a chance to have input on what rules etc... are adopted by the house, So that way they are not just joining a fraternity they like they are building one that they like

You are correct this is where my school comes in as doing everything they can to help students out:

Instead of the organization paying a monthly rent to live in the greek village.

The structured it where its like living in in dorms on campus. You know how if you live on campus there is a housing fee and either your financial aid covers it or you pay it out of pocket.

It's exactly like that each student that wants to live in the greek village is charge individually and its about $2400 each semester. That $2400/semester is added to their school bill so their financial aid can cover it or for them to pay out of pocket. They are even allowing students to pay in monthly installments if needed.

That includes access to everything, including all utilities, high speed Internet, cable, phones etc....

But there is a $20,000/year (which can be paid in $5,000 increments over the course of the academic year (10 months)) fee charged to the greek organization for use of the community commons and all other amenities available to the students. But i have been able to have the school reduce the fee to 10k during our first year

Yea, the group I am considering requires 20 members to start and by 2nd pledge we should obtain about 40-50

But I will not start with less than 30 members starting Fall 2009

That fee is something to have to look as of right now since the village is not complete, We have now until Fall 2009 to gain 30 members.
With that 30 members each member will only have to pay their regular fees and an additional $20/month for the fee t be covered.

I am thinking about mainly targeting incoming freshman and transfer students.....I am in the process of talking with on of the better sororities on campus to help with recruitment

Note: The process of recruiting men is a bit different than a sorority recruiting women.

I think he means having them show up at rush parties as hostesses. Be very careful with this concept, if you get a rep before you're even established as snobbish and not wanting to socialize w/ the "lower" sororities, the girls will be ticked and your name will be mud. Ask women from ALL the sororities.

Question: if you don't like Theta Chi & Phi Delt's alcohol policies, why do you want to go with them? It seems counterproductive. It would be one thing if this was a specific value you espoused, but it seems to be something you see as a negative. You should look at other fraternities instead - you don't want to be fighting w/ your national from the moment you begin.

I'm not sure what national fraternity would have a pro-alcohol policy, though..

I friend of mine founded a Theta Chi colony a few years ago and it's now a strong thriving chapter with around 40 guys. It's at a fairly large school, so of course 40 isn't large, but they're doing what they can. You just have to really be committed and never lose that drive to be great.

Most national fraternities do NOT have a policy that bans alcohol completely from the house. Phi Delt and Theta Chi do, at least for new chapters.

He seems to be upset with that restriction, therefore I suggested he pursue a group that doesn't have it.

Keep in mind that if you are worried by anti alcohol rules, you are very likely forming a fraternity for the wrong reasons.

Completely disagree with this statement.

He didn't say he was forming a fraternity just to party. He said he didn't like that under the policies of these 2 groups, they can't have alcohol in the house AT ALL - no matter if you are 21, you can't even have a beer with dinner. The majority of NIC fraternities do not have this rule.

lol, well I actually have no problem with that policy b/c I don't drink myself (so that wouldnt be a issue for me). I was just wanting to know if that specific policy would make it harder to get people to join....

lol, well not really because I don't drink at all as another post stated you can not have alcohol in the house at all at anytime even if you are 21(or even on the property outside).

So if you were the type of person that liked to drink beer, wine or anything with food you would have to go outside and sit on the sidewalk, another house, or to a restaurant

but as i said I don't drink at all so that is no problem for me

hey you were completely correct about the sororities thing I guess I didnt explain myself well enough. Of course there will be socializing with all but when I said main I basically meant the one with the most recognition and having the experience to put on social events.

Because I was thinking as a first event (not that all established) if we were to have a event with a lesser known one in the beginning the turnout would not be as great if we had the one everyone knows etc...

But of course as time goes on social events would NOT be limited to just one it would be all

**I am not "upset" I am just concerned about the fact that it can not be present in or on house property or at any event that displays the fraternities name**But with looking into it more I have decided to go with Beta Theta Pi

Thanks for your reply I was really wanting one to be pro-alcohol but rather one that allowed you if you were of age to be resposible if you chose to maybe drink a beer or something in the house or even outside (which is prohibited)

I was just mainly concerned if maybe that would hurt recuritment chances, because the fraternity can not be apart of ANY social event that will have alcohol present

New Fraternity Help
 

Based on the OP's posts, it seems like he is more interested in chartering an NIC fraternity on his campus.

yeah..its easier to be part of something that already being thought of. Its harder to be something new but its more fun and exciting. But U know a new chapter is another step for an organization to be nationally recognized.

http://trilambda.webs.com/expansion.htm

Yea, I've heard that spiel before. I was just pointing out that the OP expressed an interest in two large NIC organizations and brought up housing, so it's unlikely he will go for smaller, up-and-coming GLO.

ETA: BTW, if your chapter is the Beta chapter, then you are also becoming a part of something that's already been thought of.

Yes very true. But at least I can add onto the process and tradition of newer chapter and just not be another of many since I am Not tied By another American Corporation.

If you say so. It's interesting that you're so familiar with how larger/national organizations operate, considering you're not a member of one.

But this isn't helping the OP. Do what you do.

It depends on your campus, honestly. Some places people will welcome that as an option and will like the idea of substance-free living...some places the complete opposite. You know your campus the best and how well it will go over.

Honest question -- did your "founders" purposely name themselves after the Revenge of the Nerds fraternity? Or are they too young to know that's the most recognizable link to "Tri-Lam"?

http://media.monstersandcritics.com/...ages/nerds.jpg

^^^ They were founded in 2006, so they were probably too young to remember.

That's why google exists.

Nah, that would require effort.

Excellent point, k_s, excellent point.

well..It was actually founded after the revenge of the nerds movie!