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The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand. - Vince Lombardi, '37
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The following is a list of frequently asked questions and answers to common
myths/misconceptions about fraternities, greek-life and our recruiting process:
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What is RUSH?
What is pledging?
What is a fraternity?
What do fraternities do?
Aren't fraternities just drinking clubs?
This is the millenium. Aren't fraternities out-dated?
What do fraternities offer that campus clubs and societies do not?
Aren't fraternities elitist, sexist and racist groups?
Isn't joining a fraternity like buying your friends?
Why should I join a fraternity?
What does your fraternity offer that others do not?
What kind of "experience" can your fraternity offer?
Will my grades drop if I join a fraternity?
What kind of time committments are there if I join?
Is there a minimum GPA required to join?
How much does it cost to join?
What is your policy on alcohol/drugs?
What is your policy on hazing?
What is Dalhousie's policy on fraternities?
Do you throw parties?
Will I meet lots of girls?
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What is RUSH
RUSH is an old, out-dated term that is used to refer to the
act of recruiting for a greek letter society. Though many people still use
the term, is mostly used as a slang reference to someone who has taken an
interest in the fraternity or to the initial phase of recruitment. To rush
a greek letter society means to ask questions with the intention of joining.
Technically, because you are reading
this, you are rushing right now. In short, RUSH occurs when someone seeks
information about the fraternity with the intention of possibly joining at a later date;
it is the first step of any and all new recruits when seeking to join a fraternity.
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What is pledging?
Pledging is an old, out-dated term that is used to refer to someone who
has began his/her training as a new recruit in a greek letter society. The term
pledge is slang and stems from that person's pledge of committment to
joining the organization. As such, a pledge or to pledge is the act
of someone who has decided to join a particular greek letter organization. It is,
in some ways, similar to a contract between the organization and the individual that
pledges both parties will work towards the common goals of both the individual and the
organization.
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What is a fraternity?
A fraternity is an extracurricular student-run organization. Most fraternities
operate independently from their educational institutions and have names with
greek letters in them. The word Fraternity most commonly refers to organizations
for men; however, in some cases, the word fraternity is not exclusive to gender.
There are fraternities for women as well as sororities which are strictly women's
organizations.
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What fraternities do?
The answer to this question relies mostly on the individual fraternity.
There are several types of greek letter societies including academic,
social and professional fraternities. The social fraternity is perhaps
the most common and is most often what is referred to as a fraternity. Generally,
membership in social fraternities are open to students of any discipline while
professional fraternties restrict their memberships to students within a particular
discipline (i.e. medicine, dentistry, law etc).
Most fraternities spend their time hosting social events and participating in
community or philanthropic events. Greek organizations are an excellent way
to meet new people and get involved on your campus.
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Aren't fraternities just drinking clubs?
Despite what the after-school movies would have you believe, fraternities/sororities
are far more than simple drinking clubs. In fact, there are many fraternities/sororities
in North America that have chosen to make their organizations dry such that there are no
alcohol or controlled substances permitted on fraternity property or at fraternity events.
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This is the millenium. Aren't fraternities out-dated?
In recent days, the relevance of the fraternal system has come under fire by various
organizations. The attitude of this movement has been adopted by members of
student bodies in univerisities across North America and movies like The Pledge,
Animal House and The Skulls only serve as catalysts for many in the
anti-fraternity movement. On the false notion that fraternities are simply elite, drinking
clubs for preppie rich kids, many critics seem to feel that fraternities provide little that
students cannot find elsewhere. This simply could not be further from the truth.
Fraternities offer students (both on and off campus) an opportunity to meet new people and
forge new and ever-lasting friendships. In addition, organizations like Zeta Psi provide a
social net from which students can derive self-confidence and social responsibility from which
students can build self-reliance. In the world today, it is not what you know but who you
know that will get you places. The far stretching alumni base of a fraternity will open many
doors in a students search for a career or even a part-time job.
Despite what critics will claim, fraternity life has a lot to offer. It's no coincidence
that most of the sucessful people (Predidents, CEOs, politicians etc) are fraternity alumni.
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What do fraternities offer that campus clubs and societies do not?
While it is true that there are campus societies that provide the same or similar merits
as fraternities do, it is unlikely that you will find a single campus group that will provide you
with all the skills you need to be successful. Fraternities are among the only campus groups that
can boast that they offer you the best of all that the campus organizations have to offer - and
they CAN do it under one metaphorical roof!
Here are just some of the benefits you will gain within the first fours years of your
fraternity career:
MANY life-long friendships
Increased career networking
Increased social networking
Improved time managment skills
Improved balance/multitasking (social vs. financial vs. academic responsibilities)
Improved self-reliance due to increased responsibility of extracurricular involvment
Leadership opportunities
Improved public speaking skills
Improved self confidence
Access to peer tutoring
Increased fiscal responsibility
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Aren't fraternities elitist, sexist and racist groups?
No. In fact, a claim that all fraternities are racist, elitist or sexist could not be further
from the truth. In Zeta Psi, we embrace cultural and racial differences as we believe that everyone,
regardless of skin-colour, religion, social standing or birth place has unique potential to achieve great things.
Many will argue that a club specifically for gentlemen that denies women the right of entrance and
participation is sexist. We prefer to think our approach is similar to a sports team. There are both
male and female (and even co-ed) teams in sports. In Zeta Psi, we respect the opposite sex but we feel
our team works best as a single gender team so we restrict our membership to gentlemen.
We are always very willing to help those women interested
in joining the greek system find the female organization that suits them best.
In a similar respect, we are not elitest rather we are selective. Examining our membership closely,
one will observe that Zeta Psi's membership is not restricted to those with a particular
financial or social stature. We accept new members based on their potential to improve the community
and our organization and their ability to find a position within the group.
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Isn't joining a fraternity like buying your friends?
No. Membership in a fraternity often costs its members money; however, the money is
used by the chapter to cover the costs of operation. Each member is financially responsible
for their membership dues (mandatory for all active members). The money collected
is used by the chapter to cover housing costs, social events and other expenses incurred
through the everyday opperation of the organization. In this respect, greek organizations
are no different that campus societies, political parties or special interest groups (Masons,
Kinsmen, Lions etc).
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Why should I join a fraternity?
This is a difficult question to answer as everyone who joins a fraternity/sorority
joins for their own reasons. Fraternities/Sororities have a lot to offer. It is always
best to ask yourself what it is you are looking for and then to find out what the
local fraternities can offer to fulfil your needs.
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What does your fraternity offer that others do not?
Here is a brief overview of some of the advantages Zeta Psi can provide:
Smaller chapters - This means leadership opportunities come faster, friendships grow stronger and
the caliber of people we recruit is top-notch
Less Chapters - Unlike many fraternities who'll set up shop wherever they can, Zeta Psi
maintains its reputation as a selective, prestigious organization. Zeta Psi was named the first
"Ivy League" fraternity because of its established chapters at all of the Ivy League schools; we
continue a tradition of selectivity when choosing locations for new chapters.
Long tradition, long history - As a new member, you'll be inheriting a lot!
Fewer "Incidents" - Though noone is perfect in this area, overall, Zeta Psi has an excellent
reputation within the Interfraternity Council as a safe and responsible fraternity.
Annual Conventions/Semi-Annual leadership training - Attendance to our annual conventions--held all over North America--are
free for actives! That's right; free flight, free 5-star hotel, free registration and free
leadership seminars in fun locations from Disney World to Calgary and many locations in between!
Scholarships/Educational Foundations - Zeta Psi has two educational foundations that provide thousands of
dollars in scholarships each year to Zeta Psi members who work hard and earn it!
Fantastic Internships - Each year, through some special connections in the White House and Capitol Hill,
a lucky, worthy candidate gets to participate in an internship in Washington DC!
ZeteKidz - Zeta Psi has established an official chairity that all chapters can work with to help
children around the US and Canada
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What kind of "experience" can your fraternity offer?
Leadership, responsibility and networking. In short, exactly what you need to begin a well
balanced career.
In many respects, operating
a fraternity is similar to operating a company. There are officers (President/CEO, Treasurer/CFO etc),
committees, teams, goals to be accomplished and financial committments to be met.
In short, the success of the organization relies directly on the success of the individuals within;
in their ability to perform as a team; in their ability to overcome differences and work towards the
greater benefit of the group. Like a company, the organization must promote (advertise), recruit (hire)
and sometimes--in rare but extreme situations--relase (fire) its members. Zeta Psi
is an experience gold-mine for students in any discipline!
As the old adage says: "You only get out what you put in." In Zeta Psi, the members who invest the most
often find themselves to be the greatest beneficiaries of what the fraternity has to offer.
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Will my grades drop if I join a fraternity?
With any organization there are time committments; however,
we prefer--and we insist--that you put your school
priorities before those of the fraternity. If you are experiencing trouble with a
given subject, there may be someone available within the chapter who can assist you.
No matter what the situation is, we insist that school always comes first.
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What kind of time committments are there if I join?
As a new recruit (first 6-8 weeks), members are required to meet for twice weekly for
one-hour mandatory meetings. All new recruits are also expected to
attend their formal installment which is a weekend-long event. As a regular
undergraduate member, time committments are left to the individual; however, as a minimum,
all undergraduate members
are required to attend the weekly chapter meetings (approximately 1-2 hours).
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Is there a minimum GPA required to join?
We do not discriminate on grades; however, we prefer our undergraduate members to uphold a minimum
GPA of 2.0. New recruits will not be accepted as active, undergraduate members if they are on
Academic Probation at any time during the recruitment process.
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How much does it cost to join?
TBD
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What is your policy on alcohol/drugs?
Though we have no control over what our members do in their spare time, we encourage our
members to abstain from drug/alcohol abuse. All undergraduate members are required to
complete an alcohol awareness program, AlcoholEDU, each year they are an active
member. Drugs/banned substances are strictly forbidden at all fraternity sanctioned
events and on all fraternity property. Zeta Psi does not endorse providing
alcohol to minors; Zeta Psi promotes responsible alcohol consumption.
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What is your policy on hazing?
Zeta Psi international has adopted an anti-hazing policy that extends to each of
its undergraduate chapters. As a chapter, Alpha Mu adheres very strictly
to the guidlines set forth in our Risk Management Policy established by Zeta Psi's
International Headquarters.
For further information, download the Risk Management Policy (PDF)
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What is Dalhousie's policy on fraternities?
Dalhousie does not recognize fraternities or sororities as official societies on its campus.
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Do you throw parties?
Yes. Sometimes we throw parties.
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Will I meet lots of girls?
That is up to you; however, most of our members have met many of Dalhousie/SMU/MSVU's
finest, upstanding young women.
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