Parents, your son is now a Delt.
Congratulations on your son being selected to be a brother of the Delta Pi Chapter of Delta Tau Delta at the University of Southern California.
The Delta Pi Chapter of Delta Tau Delta only chooses bold leaders interested in leaving a legacy on campus. You should be extremely proud of your son for choosing a fraternity of high standards of academic excellence, an extensive alumni network, and active campus involvement.
You might have some questions:
What is Delta Tau Delta?
Delta Tau Delta is a college social fraternity that, since 1858, has spread to nearly 200 campuses, with more than 130 active chapters and colonies comprised of roughly 10,000 students. More than 170,000 men have joined the brotherhood of Delta Tau Delta since its founding.
A college fraternity is a brotherhood formed around common goals or aspirations. In our case, all Delt men live by a common mission: "Committed to Lives of Excellence.” The day a member takes his Oath, he begins his pursuit of a life committed to excellence, with the Fraternity serving as the cornerstone of their journey.
Delta Tau Delta at USC is also a part of a larger group of fraternities and sororities known as the Greek community, which is supported by a full-time, professional staff at the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Leadership Development.
Our values are held in common by Delts throughout the world. The values of a Delt are not for everyone, but they are the basis for a lifetime of learning and development. Delta Tau Delta helps to create lifelong friendships and opportunities for collaboration between accomplished and motivated young men that understand that they represent something bigger and must push themselves to succeed.
Who is actually in charge of the Fraternity?
Delta Tau Delta undergraduate members run the fraternity. The Delta Pi chapter elects individuals to officer positions once a year. This executive board, with the assistance of administrative committees and alumni advisors, conducts recruitment, philanthropy, social events, and manages the day-to-day operations of the chapter at the campus level. Delta Pi is also supported by the Delta Tau Delta International Headquarters, which provides leadership development education, risk management education, and overall chapter operational support. USC’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Leadership Development also assists and monitors the activities of Delta Tau Delta.
How can my son join Delta Tau Delta?
Fraternity recruitment is organized through USC’s Interfraternity Council. The process -- known as “fraternity rush” — occurs twice a year and offers your son an opportunity to learn about what each fraternity has to offer. Men joining a fraternity at USC must have completed 12 academic units at USC and have earned a minimum GPA of 2.50.
Delta Tau Delta operates a particularly selective recruitment process. If your son is selected to join Delt, he will participate in a New Member Education Program, and if successfully completed, will be initiated.
Does being in a fraternity take a lot of time?
Students often find managing their time difficult when moving from the highly structured high school environment to the freedoms of college. Delta Tau Delta assists in that transition by offering study partners, study hours, and more. Your son will also have access to the network of fraternity members who already know how to use campus resources.
A research initiative has also shown that involved college students are more likely to graduate and report greater satisfaction with their college experience. Every member participates in a New Member Education Program focused on personal growth and leadership and the Fraternity's core values of integrity, accountability, and service while providing crucial life skills training. Through his fraternity involvement and this program, your son will learn how to balance his academics, campus involvements, and social commitments.
What is alcohol use like in the Fraternity?
Alcohol abuse is inconsistent with Delt ideals. In reality, fraternities are values-based organizations dedicated to the development of character and lifelong friendship. Every member participates in GreekEDU, a comprehensive alcohol education program to help members make wise decisions. All Delts are expected to uphold state, county, and university policies regarding the consumption of alcohol. We're serious about creating a safe environment for our brothers.
Is being in a fraternity expensive?
Delta Tau Delta is a self-supported organization sustained by dues charged to all members. We try to keep all costs down as much as possible through alumni engagement and strict budgeting.
Certain one-time expenses are assessed during the new member period, but after those initial payments are made, expenses will generally only include chapter dues and annual Fraternity dues. Parents also receive monthly invoices with both traditional and electronic payment options available.
A variety of payment plans are usually offered, and with the generosity of our Educational Fund, we are able to subsidize dues for some members.
What about hazing?
Delta Tau Delta strongly opposes hazing, and as a founding partner of the Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE), Delta Tau Delta is proud to be a leader in the Fraternal Values Movement. Delta Tau Delta opposes hazing and is committed to a membership education period that teaches responsibility and commitment to new members. During this period, your son and the other new members will learn about the history of the Fraternity, our mission and values, and get to know the current brothers; this program does not include or condone any form of hazing.
What about academics?
As of Fall 2019, Delta Tau Delta boasts an average chapter GPA higher than that of USC’s all men’s average GPA. Being part of Delta Tau Delta provides our members unique opportunities for mentorship and scholastic collaboration
How can my son live in the “Delt Shelter”?
The “Delt Shelter,” as our house is known, offers housing for our members through a “draft” system. Leases are executed for the full academic year, with members reserving the right to extend their live-in period at no cost for the summer following the conclusion of the academic year. All members are expected to manage timely completion and filing of their housing contracts.
Our property includes a full-size sand volleyball court and full-size basketball court. Our house has a regularly maintained fire sprinkler system, fire alarms, smoke detectors, and emergency lighting. All rooms and common areas have heating and air-conditioning. Our property also features cleaning and maintenance staff and a full-service commercial kitchen and meal plan that provides fresh meals from Monday to Friday.
Why join a fraternity at all?
Fraternities are values-based organizations which offer young men many challenges and opportunities that a traditional college education may not afford. Joining a fraternity is more than just something you do in college. It is a commitment and benefit for a lifetime.
Joining USC’s Greek community is also much more than just social events. The Fraternity can help personalize your son’s college experience by offering scholastic support, hands-on leadership experience, exposure to potential careers through educational programs and discussions with alumni, the chance to give back to the community through service projects, and close friends who will cheer him on when he is successful and support him when times are tough. Every member of Delta Tau Delta also has access to more than 120,000 alumni the world over. As a Delt, you are part of a larger family whose brothers have sworn an oath to give back to those who follow.
What is my role as a parent?
Be as supportive as you con of your son. Try learning as much as you can by asking questions of your son as he meets people through the recruitment and new member process. Fraternity members will be more than happy to tell him, and you, about their group. In years to come, Delta Tau Delta will also become part of your life.