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1.
What IS a fraternity?
A fraternity is a national or international
brotherhood with chapters at accredited colleges and
universities across Canada and the United States.
Fraternities offer university and college students the
opportunity for lifetime learning and personal
development in a positive environment.
2. Are
fraternities really like the ones in the movies and on
TV?
Every fraternity is different and unique. We have
yet to come across any "Revenge of the
Nerds" Tri-Lambs, "90210" KEG houses,
or John Belushi "Animal House" types on
McGill's campus! Most stories that you may have heard
are most probably rumours, exaggerations and untrue.
While some 'college towns' may have a bit more
'wildness' going on, the vast majority of college and
university campuses are more tame than you might
think. Fraternities and sororities follow specific
Risk Management guidelines (and pay high insurance
premiums) which are designed to allow everyone to have
fun, but without any unfortunate side effects.
3. Why do
fraternity members call each other
"brothers"?
It is the sense of family and lifelong friendships
a fraternity provides. Fraternity membership is for
life, whether you are from the class of 1948 or 2001,
you develop a strong friendship bond with your
fraternal brothers.
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4.
Fraternity men are all a bunch of elitists, racists,
and cliquish, aren't they?
No. If we were, then why are we here trying to
get you and everyone else to join?! Fraternity men
come from a variety of ethnic and economic
backgrounds. Anyone can join a fraternity!
5. I
heard that by joining a fraternity, my marks would
improve. Is that true?
Getting good grades is hard work. By using the
numerous academic incentives only offered by
fraternities, such as GPA requirements, study groups,
exam and paper libraries, and scholarships, you will
find university life a whole lot easier.
Academic success during your time at McGill will
largely limit or expand your future options. It's
always easier to maintain a GPA than to raise one.
Delta Upsilon has members in a variety of departments,
making it easier to find someone who can you help you
out with specific courses. Moreover, specific study
nights are designated where no activities are planned
and brothers are encouraged to study in designated
areas in the library. We also maintain a 'test-bank'
where brothers would place course syllabi, class
notes, old exams and related info into a filing
cabinet for future brothers to use and practice from
in their academic pursuit of excellence.
6. Don't
fraternities take up a lot of time?
Fraternity membership generally entails anywhere
from 1 to 8 hours per week. Whether it be planning a
party, a community service event, or regular weekly
meetings. Time management at the university level is
quite different than high school or C.E.G.E.P. You
have a lot of free time that can be put to good
productive use, or you can waste it! Fraternities
offer countless opportunities to be constructive with
your time. As with any organization, the bottom line
is that you get out of it what you put in, so the
rewards will vary depending on your motivation and
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7. Aren't
fraternities expensive?
Annual membership dues vary from approximately
$100 to $500. This cost is used to pay for insurance,
upkeep of the house, intramural sports, weekly
dinners, and numerous social activities.
8. If I'm
new on campus, shouldn't I wait to "get my feet
wet" before I join?
University is a big place. The sooner you know
more people, the more comfortable you will feel on
campus. By joining in your first year, you will find
adjusting to university life a lot easier.
9. So, what
do you do in a fraternity?
Everything that university courses do not offer -
development of social skills, leadership
opportunities, a needed break from studying, and FUN!
Each fraternity has numerous social events, charity
projects, workshops, and more - all designed to help
you and your resume, so you can succeed.
Here's a brief list:
- We raise
money for charity (in 1995, we set up the Montreal
Children's Hospital - Delta Upsilon Fund, and have
donated thousands of dollars since then!)
- We host
brotherhood events (weekend road trips to our
choice of about 85 chapters across Canada and the
US, lazer-tag, pool tournaments, cultural outings
such as visits to museums, and much more...)
- We have
numerous social events with sororities (e.g.,
"mixers")
- We
participate in Greek Week (and usually win, in
spirit at least!)
- We have
intramural sports teams (football, hockey,
basketball, ultimate, etc...),
- There's a
LOT more, some of which you can check out in the archives!
10. Do
you have to live in the fraternity house?
No, but you can if you want to. Fraternities
offer affordable rooms and parking close to campus.
It's also a great place to crash.
he last DU
house on campus was located at 522 Pine W. (at the
corner of University st.). We lived there for about 15
years. The house was rented from McGill University who
charged us a relatively high rent. In 1998, we gave it
back to McGill, who had overbooked their residences.
The promptly converted into a "MORE" house.
When our chapter re-activates, we will be looking for
a new house in the "McGill Ghetto".
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11. What is
the IGLC?
IGLC stands for Inter-Greek Letter Council. It is
an umbrella organization that oversees member
fraternities and sororities at McGill. Fraternities
and sororities have a say in campus life through IGLC
which is a club in SSMU (Student Society of McGill
University). Each fraternity and sorority has at least
one member in IGLC that meets for weekly meetings. At
many other campuses, the IGLC is known as the IFC (Interfraternity
Council). |
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12.
What's in it for me?
The number one purpose of attending University is
to get an education. However, a university education
encompasses more than academics. Delta Upsilon is
involved in enhancing academic achievement, hosting
social events, developing men into tomorrow's leaders,
participating in sporting events, and much more. Our
international headquarters is based in Indianapolis.
They have created a website just to answer this
question. If you still aren't sure after reading this
page, we urge you to visit www.JoinDeltaU.org.
13. I keep
hearing about "rush and recruitment"...what
is that?!
"Rush" or "recruitment" is the
process of getting to know the guys in a fraternity.
Recruitment lets you learn more about fraternity life
and decide if membership is for you. At Delta Upsilon,
rush takes place all year, with specific fun events at
the beginning of each semester. All McGill students
are welcome to come out to "rush" events,
regardless of your program or year in school. You may
also hear fraternity members refer to you as a
recruit, rush, or rushee. Although it's difficult to
remember everyone's name when you're rushing, don't
feel intimidated or nervous - just be yourself and
have a good time.
Some time after becoming a rush, if the guys think
you have what it takes to become a "DU man",
you will be formally asked to become a
"pledge". Being a pledge is an honour and a
lot of fun. The other guys who join with you, will
probably become lifelong friends. After some time, you
will go through a process called the initiation
ritual. While Delta Upsilon is non-secret, we could
tell you about it , but why spoil the fun?!
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14. Does DU
McGill haze?
Hazing is the physical, emotional, and
psychological torment of individuals who are new to an
organization. Even though every national fraternity
has banned hazing, some individual chapters have
continued this barbaric practice. (It is also very
common for hazing to go on for new members of sports
teams). The McGill chapter of Delta Upsilon fraternity
enforces a strict non-hazing policy. If you feel you
have been unfairly treated, please report it to Abe
Cross at the Delta Upsilon International
Fraternity Headquarters in Indianapolis.
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15. What's so
unique about Delta Upsilon?
Delta Upsilon has been on campus at McGill for
over 100 years. Since we are currently re-organizing
the fraternity, new members have a great deal of
influence on the direction of the fraternity. Members
of Delta Upsilon have a strong commitment to one
another. This is especially demonstrated though our
large and loyal Alumni Association. When you consider
joining, remember that you can be involved in Delta
Upsilon even after you graduate. Delta Upsilon also
offers ample opportunity for leadership since there
are so many things to do. We are a diverse group, with
members from numerous backgrounds and experiences.
Part of your experience with Delta Upsilon is learning
from others in the fraternity.
While people
join organizations for various reasons, most DUs
became members because they enjoyed the events, liked
the people they met, and felt that our chapter had the
best to offer them at this important time in their
life. Essentially, you become what is known as
"the DU man". Delta Upsilon was
founded on the principles of friendship, character,
culture and justice. Members of the fraternity strive
to uphold these principles. Delta Upsilon is unique
among fraternities in many respects. We are the only
non-secret fraternity on campus. We do not believe
that having secret handshakes and passwords leads to
better character development. Joining Delta Upsilon
makes you part of a larger network of about 85
chapters with 70,000 members across North America.
University lasts 3-4 years but Delta Upsilon
brotherhood is forever.
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16. Is
membership for life?
When you join Delta Upsilon, you are joining for
life. Membership definitely has its privileges! Aside
from the extensive experiences you will have acquired
during your undergraduate life, you can continue to be
involved in the fraternity at both the chapter,
national, and international level. The McGill chapter
of DU has a strong alumni association which holds
various events, such as the annual alumni banquet,
golf tournaments, and so on. You can become a member
of the alumni executive council, volunteer or get
hired by the DU International HQ, among numerous other
benefits. You will also a copy of the Delta Upsilon
Quarterly - the oldest fraternity-published magazine
in existence, for the rest of your life! We encourage
you to read more about our chapter's
alumni.
There's so much more to Delta Upsilon and fraternity
life than could possibly be covered here. We would love
to answer your questions! Don't hesitate to contact
us!
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