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

[sagent19]

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.

[KSUViolet06]

If you're interested in starting a chapter of a national fraternity on campus, you need to FIRST contact the Greek Life Advisor/Director at your school and see if your school is open to having a new fraternity colony on campus. I know that fraternity expansion is different from sorority expansion, but I'd assume that the school still has to approve any additions of new fraternity chapters.

I'd also recommend visiting the fraternity websites and contacting their personnel in charge of expansion. Once they know you're interested, they'll let you know if your school is a place where they would like to consider having a colony (since every fraternity hsa different things they're looking for when deciding whether their fraternity is a good fit for the school.

[KSUViolet06]

Also:

Ask yourself some questions:

Why do I want to start a new fraternity?

What can a new fraternity add to the school that the exisiting fraternities don't already have?

Does the school get enough interest in fraternities to support another colony? Are the chapters all growing in size, or are there chapters who are strugging to maintain the bare minimum of numbers?

[sagent19]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Also:

Ask yourself some questions:

Why do I want to start a new fraternity?

What can a new fraternity add to the school that the exisiting fraternities don't already have?

Does the school get enough interest in fraternities to support another colony? Are the chapters all growing in size, or are there chapters who are strugging to maintain the bare minimum of numbers?

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

[KSUViolet06]

Greek Life may be growing on campus, but you have to think about how YOUR potential colony would appeal to students. If there are alot of fraternity chapters, guys will ask, why should I join this NEW fraternity if I can just join one that's already established?

For example, my alma mater has like 16 fraternity chapters, they all have to work VERY hard to promote themselves and distinguish themselves from each other, in order to draw in guys. Any new colony that has come in has had a really rough time finding members.

[sceniczip]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Greek Life may be growing on campus, but you have to think about how YOUR potential colony would appeal to students. If there are alot of fraternity chapters, guys will ask, why should I join this NEW fraternity if I can just join one that's already established?

For example, my alma mater has like 16 fraternity chapters, they all have to work VERY hard to promote themselves and distinguish themselves from each other, in order to draw in guys. Any new colony that has come in has had a really rough time finding members.

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.

[sagent19]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Greek Life may be growing on campus, but you have to think about how YOUR potential colony would appeal to students. If there are alot of fraternity chapters, guys will ask, why should I join this NEW fraternity if I can just join one that's already established?

For example, my alma mater has like 16 fraternity chapters, they all have to work VERY hard to promote themselves and distinguish themselves from each other, in order to draw in guys. Any new colony that has come in has had a really rough time finding members.

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

[PhiTauDeltaBeta]

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

[33girl]

Originally Posted by PhiTauDeltaBeta

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.

[sagent19]

Originally Posted by PhiTauDeltaBeta

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

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

[Frenzy]

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.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Frenzy

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.

[knight_shadow]

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

[nittanyalum]

That's why google exists.

[knight_shadow]

Nah, that would require effort.