Our pledge program is among the most comprehensive in the nation. It focuses on personal development as a member of society as well as growth as a brother of Chi Phi.
The program is a six to eight week program, beginning the day of your pledge ceremony. It includes a Big Brother program to assist with your academic and personal challenges as you adjust to university life.
Big Brother Program
The Big Brother program is the foundation of our brotherhood. Every pledge is matched up with an older member of the Fraternity so that they have guidance throughout their pledge term. The Big Brother is responsible for making sure the pledge (his Little Brother) stays on top of his academics. The Big must find assistance for the Little if the Big cannot offer it himself. The Big should also serve as a role model to his Little. He should embody our founding values of Truth, Friendship, and Personal Integrity.
The Big Brother assists with the knowledge portion of the pledge term as well. The Big Brother is responsible if his Little does not know our National and Local History and accountable for the actions of his Little. We do not require a lot of our pledges, but the few requirements we do have must be treated with respect.
Pledge Program Itself
Along with the Big Brother Program, our pledge program consists of History, Interviews, and a Pledge Project. There are no other requirements to fulfill in order to become an initiated brother.
HISTORY
In order for this requirement of the pledge term to be met, the pledge must exhibit knowledge of our national and local history and tradition. He shall do this through a weekly test and a pre-initiation exam that will thoroughly test the effort and desire of the new member. Failure to meet this requirement is seen as a lack of desire to be a part of this Fraternity and lack of effort and respect towards our members. No man has ever failed his end of term test, but if this test is not passed with a minimum score of 70 %, the pledge will not be allowed to initiate. His term will be extended until such time as the next pledge class is ready to initiate, at which time he will be allowed to take the test for a second time. If the test is not passed the second time, the term will immediately be terminated.
INTERVIEWS
In order for a man to be initiated, he must meet the requirement of interviewing every active member of the Fraternity, as well as at least two alumni members. In addition, he shall have and memorize the interview of each of his pledge brothers.
This requirement is necessary to ensure that a true BROTHERHOOD is built. It is absurd to call someone 'Brother' if you do not know him, much less if you have never met him. This helps to build a relationship between the Active Brothers and the Pledge Brothers which helps us ensure our continued existence.
PLEDGE PROJECT
We believe strongly in a NON-HAZING environment. To build comraderie, our pledges have a project that they complete as a pledge class. This project involves improving the house so that there is a sense of accomplishment and purpose throughout the entire process. This builds strong relationships between pledge brothers and gives future members respect for the house since it is something that they spent their own time and hard work to improve. It is expected that the pledge class works together on this project and that no one ever works alone. The Active Brothers also lend a hand towards the completion of the project in order to get to know our pledges better and so that we may truly call them our BROTHERS. Throughout the pledge term, it is expected that each pledge should have to work no more than three hours per week on the project, and most projects can be finished in one day if the entire pledge class comes together of their own initiative and spends one Saturday to knock out the project.
There are numerous other benefits to our program, a few of which are listed below.
There are NO mandatory dress up days where you are required to wear a coat and tie to your classes.
You get to travel around the US. There is a minimum of one road trip per semester.
PLEDGES ARE ENCOURAGED TO LIVE IN THE FRATERNITY HOUSE
Test files are available for many classes to assist you with learning the style of your professors tests and with possible test material.
The weekly time commitment required is well below that of nearly all other houses on campus.
Scholarships are available.
Numerous leadership opportunities exist for pledges and members.
Brotherhood beyond the walls of our own chapter. We have excellent working relationships with neighboring chapters.
Cost effective. You get more out of this experience than any amount of money could ever provide for you. Plus, its cheaper than the dorms!
