When Was Phi Delta Theta Founded and Where?
Phi Delta Theta was founded December 26, 1848 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio
What does Phi Delta Theta stand for?
Phi Delta Theta was founded on three principles: friendship, sound learning, and moral rectitude. Today our organization still represents these values but lives them out as a social fraternity; embodying, service, leadership, and personal development.
How many chapters does Phi Delta Theta currently have?
Phi Delta Theta currently has 154 chapters and five colonies. Throughout the last 157 years Phi Delta Theta has had chapters at over 250 campuses.
Where in Ohio is Phi Delta Theta established?
We have Ohio chapters at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio State University, Bowling Green State University, Case Western Reserve University, Ashland University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Ohio University, Denison University, The University of Akron, Miami University.
What will our colony/chapter be called?
The colony/chapter at Kent State University will be called Ohio Lambda.
Why is Phi Delta Theta expanding to Kent State University?
The Ohio Lambda chapter of Phi Delta Theta was established in 1958. In past years up till the spring semester of 2005, sadly most of the young men did not live up to the high standards and reputation of what true Phi Delt men are suppose to be. The unwillingness of the chapter to change ultimately led to the chapter’s charter being suspended by the General Council of Phi Delta Theta. The University also agreed that the chapter was not upholding the standards of the Fraternity and the school, thus removing Phi Delta Theta’s recognition on campus. This is what once stood as Phi Delta Theta on the Kent State Campus. Today we are 35 members strong, that have a true understanding of what brotherhood means. We are working to destroy all rumors, and images the former members (that no longer have any affiliation with the colony) have given to the campus and the community.
What is the Chapter Advisory Board?
The Chapter Advisory Board is a group of alumni, faculty, and or parents that advise the group and attend meetings weekly. Each advisor is paired with an officer. These alumni will help and advise the colony throughout the process, and will be a great resource to have.
How many alumni are there in the Kent area?
Due to the large number of chapters in Ohio and the Tri-State region, many alumni have migrated to Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and their surrounding communities. Our records show that there are over 6,000 alums within a 100 mile radius of Kent.
Why should I join a fraternity that is rebuilding like Phi Delta Theta, rather than a fraternity that is already established?
The opportunity to a join the redeveloped chapter Phi Delta Theta is a very unique experience. During the re-building of a chapter you have the opportunity to lay the “ground work” and “foundation” for generations who will follow in your path. This means someone will serve as Ohio Lambda’s re-founding president, treasurer, recruitment chair, etc. With the help of the Chapter Advisory Board and Fraternity’s staff, all members will help to create the groups original bylaws, mission statement, and programs to determine the direction of the organization. With an established fraternity you are joining an organization that already has traditions, systems and officers. There, it often takes a number of years before you can hold a major leadership position. The leadership development opportunities with Phi Delta Theta are endless.
What is a re-founding father?
A re-founding father is one of the first members that join a new colony before it is installed as an official chapter, where all members are initiated.
What is the pledge period or new member period like? How long does it last?
The new member education period for a new fraternity is vastly different from one that is already established. The first group that joins prior to colonization will have “on the job training” as they first learn their roles within their offices and committees. At the same time, they will also learn the history, hierarchy, and political system of the fraternity through studies with the Chapter Advisory Board and their Phikeia Manual. The second class taken in the Spring of 2007 will go through the first actual new member education program developed by the re-founding father class and the chapter advisory board.
How much does membership cost?
The upfront cost for membership in the Ohio Lambda Colony will be $175 dollars due at the 2nd week of pledge This fee is for the $100 colony fee which gives you a colony badge and Phikeia Manual. The remainder of the cost is for the liability insurance which gives your colony the ability to hold social events with full insurance coverage. We live in a very litigious society and due to issues and claims in the fraternity world, fraternities are the 6th most expensive entity to insure in this nation. Therefore, there is a cost for fraternity insurance; however Phi Delta Theta has one of the lowest insurance rates around among fraternities due to its alcohol-free housing policy.
There will be additional costs that will be determined by the group. Because you are starting your own fraternity you will have the opportunity to determine the operating costs. What type of social events would you like to hold, what type of philanthropies would you like to give to? How much will this all cost? Based on these factors a operating budget will be determined and dues will be decided based on these numbers and the shared costs.
What is a colony, how long does it take to gain chapter status and become a member of Phi Delta Theta?
A colony is a group of students who are in the process of petitioning Phi Delta Theta Fraternity to become a chapter and initiated into our organization. In order to receive this recognition they must build the “foundation” and lay the “ground work” for future generations to come. This will be the responsibility of the colony members of Ohio Lambda. This includes passing all examinations, creating and living up to academic standards, building programs covering all areas of chapter operations, and developing a commitment to service and philanthropy. Ideally this process will take close to a year. Our goal is to have the Ohio Lambda chapter installed in the final months of the 2008 Spring semester. However, if this is to be accomplished a large amount of work must be done and all goals must be met in a timely manner.
If I join now will I get to select future members?
We encourage everyone to recommend anyone who they believe would make a tremendous addition to the group. Any individual recommended will sit for an informational interview and asked to attend recruitment events. The group votes to determine any new members.
Is there a Fraternity house?
Phi Delta Theta owns one of the nicest, if not the nicest, Fraternity houses at Kent. The chapter house is located at 1060 Fraternity Cr. Since our chapter was closed in 2005, Phi Delta Theta’s House Corporation has kept the house occupied. The House Corporation plans on moving us back in at the beginning of fall 2008. Before moving back into the house, Phi Delta Theta will have to get to chapter status and begin succeeding on campus. Moving back into the house in 2008 will provide motivation to our colony members and will be a great reward for performance. When Phi Delta Theta moves back into the house, the property will be alcohol-free.
What is the alcohol-free policy?
Six years ago, Phi Delta Theta passed its alcohol-free housing initiative. The policy is not one that says our members can not drink alcohol, but the Fraternities properties will be alcohol-free. This policy has been a great success and has created a clean and safe living environment for our chapters. The policy allows our students to succeed academically, be proud of where they live, and focus on the principles our Fraternity was based upon. Many fraternities have received the “Animal House” stereotype because of their alcohol use and abuse, but Phi Delta Theta is changing negative perceptions of Greek societies on an International level.
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