What is a fraternity?
A fraternity is an organization of brotherhood found on college campuses. Fraternities can be founded for social, academic or philanthropic reasons.
What makes Delta Upsilon different?
Delta Upsilon is the only non-secret, non-hazing, non-sectarian fraternity at Georgia Tech. This means that all of our rituals are open to the public, hazing goes against who we are, and we choose men of merit regardless of race or creed.
What is rush?
Rush is a recruitment period during which fraternities open their doors to campus and seek new members. At Georgia Tech, all Rush activities are entirely alcohol-free. During this period, students who wish to join are able to visit any fraternity they want in whatever order or capacity they desire. During rush, fraternities may extend to you a bid, or offer to join. If you have any questions about the rush process, feel free to contact our VP of Recruitment.
What is a bid?
A fraternity may extend candidates they are interested in a bid, or an invitation to join. At that point, it is up to the candidate to decide whether to accept the bid and join the organization (thus beginning the pledge process) or to refuse it. If the candidate chooses to wait until the following semester to join a fraternity, the bid is considered refused and the candidate must receive a new one during rush the following semester.
What does it mean to pledge?
A pledge is someone who has accepted a bid with a Greek organization. Each fraternity has different requirements for pledges to become fully initiated Brothers.
What is the Delta Upsilon pledge process?
Our pledge process lasts 8 weeks. At the beginning of the pledge process, the pledges are informed of all of the requirements needed in order to initiate. These include reaching a preset point minimum as set by the Associate Member Education, obtaining the paddle signature of each active brother, and demonstrating positive attributes that better the chapter. Points are earned through participation in brotherhood events, good academic performance, completion of philanthropy, and involvement in outside organizations. A minimum number of points must be obtained from each designated area in order to ensure that our Brothers are well-rounded and will contribute positively to not only our Brotherhood, but to the Georgia Tech community as a whole.
What are the paddles for? What is a paddle signature?
Ceremonial paddles are decorated by each pledge during their pledge process with their name, the fraternity's colors, and the institute's seal. The requirement of paddle signatures is a way of ensuring that the pledges spend time with each active brother, developing the foundation for true brotherhood. When a brother signs a pledge's paddle, it means that they accept the pledge into the chapter and see him as embodying the fraternity’s principles. The paddle is a concrete symbol of acceptance into the brotherhood.
Are the paddles used? Are the pledges hazed in any other way?
No. We are committed to our ideal of non-hazing. The creation and possession of a paddle is simply a fraternity tradition that we keep, though it is never used for anything outside of collecting signatures. We believe hazing divides rather than strengthens the bonds of brotherhood. Hazing is not tolerated by any of our members.
What does it mean to be a member of Delta Upsilon?
Delta Upsilon strives to achieve our four founding principles:
The Promotion of Friendship
The Diffusion of Liberal Culture
The Development of Character
The Advancement of Justice
As a member of Delta Upsilon you are expected to demonstrate these ideals in your life through your interactions with your Brothers, classmates, roommates, friends, faculty, and strangers alike.
How will joining Delta Upsilon affect my grades?
We believe academics should be every student’s first priority, especially at an institute with the academic rigor of Georgia Tech. All pledges have minimum requirements for time spent on studies alone, and several resources, such as individual academic mentors, are made available to pledges throughout their pledge process. Brothers who fail to meet minimum GPA requirements are evaluated by a Judicial Board of their peers, and steps are taken together to ensure the brother’s academic success. Brothers of Delta Upsilon are constantly helping and encouraging each other academically, maintain a large academic resource system of textbooks and past exams, and study groups are commonly seen in our house. Last semester, our fraternity GPA was a 3.49 and our pledge GPA was a 3.56, well above the Georgia Tech average GPA of 3.25.
What things does Delta Upsilon do to give back to the community?
At Georgia Tech, we work with numerous philanthropic organizations throughout the year to ensure that our Brothers realize how fortunate they are and embed a sense of civil duty to serve those less fortunate. Visit out Philanthropy page to learn more.
What is the Delta Upsilon social scene? How do you manage risk?
At Delta Upsilon, we host numerous social events each year, from relaxing brotherhood events to boisterous date nights and house parties. We recognize the risks involved with hosting events on a college campus, and take numerous steps to ensure the safety of our brothers and guests. Georgia Tech does not permit mass alcohol containers such as kegs, punch bowls, or even the distribution of hard liquor at registered house parties, and Delta Upsilon strictly follows these policies. At large social events where alcohol is present, we have brothers designated as sober monitors as well as contracted security guards. Our Risk Management and Loss Prevention Chair is closely involved in the planning of all events and ensures that all brothers and pledges are educated in the Delta Upsilon risk prevention policies.
If something unfortunate were to happen....
We are committed to the well being of our members. We have accidental insurance on all members and guests at fraternity sponsored events. Should a situation arise where medical attention is required, we will not hesitate to respond in a manner appropriate to the situation. For the brotherhood, we have an appointed Mental Health Chair who ensures that the chapter is well-informed about mental health resources on campus and coordinates events for small groups of brothers to discuss difficulties in an open, supportive environment. The majority of our chapter and our entire Executive Council is also QPR trained to ensure that anyone in crisis can be cared for appropriately until professional help can get involved.
How much does Delta Upsilon cost?
Though they may seem prohibitive at first, the cost of joining Delta Upsilon is an investment that ends up saving most brothers money due to the high costs of living in Atlanta, not to mention the numerous other benefits, such as connection to jobs and internships, that come with brotherhood. In addition, pledges are only required to pay a one-time fee of $95 before they commit to the brotherhood upon initiation. The current costs are listed below:
$1150 Dues per semester (excluding summer)
$1000 Meal Plan per semester ($600 for summer)
$1750 Rent per semester ($1000 for summer)
$150 House Fee per semester (excluding summer)
How soon can a pledge expect to live in the chapter house? Are Brothers required to live in the house?
Brothers can move into the house immediately based on availability, but if you are in Georgia Tech housing you are subject to their rules concerning payment of their fees, which are non-transferable. Living in the house is not required at any point, but is highly recommended for the full fraternal experience, and it is generally more convenient and affordable to live in the house.
How is the chapter property cleaned and maintained?
Brothers are required to clean the house based on our rotating work assignment system, which ensures shared responsibility by all members of the fraternity, not just pledges, in upkeep of our living space. General repairs are conducted by the chapter on a regular basis. For large-scale improvements and repairs, outside contractors are hired.
What are the rules and policies of Delta Upsilon?
The Georgia Tech Chapter of Delta Upsilon does not tolerate hazing of any kind, sexual harassment, or the abuse of alcohol or drugs. We have a Judicial Board whose sole purpose is to decide on disciplinary action for brothers who violate our Bylaws.
Can the rules change? If so, how?
Our chapter must always abide by the rules and policies set forth by Delta Upsilon International. The House Rules may be changed at the beginning of each semester by a 2/3 vote of the brotherhood. Our Bylaws can be amended or modified by a 2/3 vote of the brotherhood.