Olivia Proffit
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There’s a new kid on the fraternity block: Delta Tau Delta
The fraternity, which was accepted into Cal Poly greek life last year, started its four-week recruitment this week, but is still accepting recruits.
Because of the high interest in greek life on campus, the 17 InterFraternity Council (IFC) chapters that already exist at Cal Poly have grown quickly. The university addressed the issue last year by inviting any interested fraternities to apply and join campus.
Prospects submitted packets of information including their values, mission, charter and anything unique and interesting they could bring to the table. Cal Poly worked with their existing fraternities to mutually decide which was best for the community.
Delta Tau Delta was deemed most fit.
“They enhance our current strong IFC community,” Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life Kathryn O’Hagan said. “The Delts are going to be able to really bring them to the next level.”
Anthony Jacobsmeyer, Delta Tau Delta’s lead expansion consultant, emphasized the values the fraternity possessed, such as striving to excel in academics and leadership.
“Our values and our mission are the backbone to how the organization runs; how we operate in all of our programming and the things we offer our members,” Jacobsmeyer said.
Nationally, Delta Tau Delta currently has approximately 9,300 undergraduate members and 125,000 living alumni.
Cal Poly will install Delta Tau Delta’s 136th chapter.
According to Jacobsmeyer, Delta Tau Delta hopes to add to the Cal Poly community by becoming leaders on campus and as a group of men that people can look up to.
“We want to make the fraternity community a positive place and providing a good reputation of what fraternity can be here at Cal Poly,” Jacobsmeyer said.
Because they are starting from the ground up, Delta Tau Delta’s recruitment process is unique.
Recruitment is mostly referral-based, though they do take some “walk-ups” and allow men to join without one. The fraternity asks for referrals of men who would be a good addition to the organization. Once referred, potential new members go through interviews and meetings before being accepted.
“It’s an opportunity for (the fraternity members) to create an organization from the ground up that is the experience they want and be a strong group that makes an impact of campus,” Jacobsmeyer said.