Offering a Home Away from Home
Phi Delta Theta emphasizes academic achievement, positive relationship building, community service, and an enriching and rewarding college experience filled with friendships that will last a lifetime. Phi Delta Theta creates a positive and encouraging “leadership laboratory” that empowers each brother to tap into his inner greatness and reach a higher potential than he could on his own.
We know parents expect their sons to make their studies a priority. Our commitment to academics begins during recruitment by attracting young men with GPAs high above the campus average. And once in the chapter, we make sure they have an environment conducive to studying and learning. Phi Delta Theta’s alcohol-free housing provides learning spaces for consistent and efficient study habits. In addition, each chapter has a scholarship chairman and an academic adviser who oversee and maintain scholastic integrity.
Finally, we realize that many parents and families wish to remain engaged in their son’s experience in some way, so we provide this Family Engagement Resource Guide for any parent interested in starting a family club that can play a supporting role in the chapter’s success.
Refer Your Son To Phi Delta Theta
A resource for families as their son or daughter considers joining a fraternity or sorority
The decision to join a fraternity or sorority can cause great emotions for both parents and their children, but asking the right questions can lead to a positive membership decision that will bring great value to a student’s collegiate career and beyond. To assist in asking these questions, Phi Delta Theta published 10 Questions to Ask if Your Child Wants to Join a Fraternity or Sorority in College.
Keeping our members healthy & safe
Phi Delta Theta is committed to continuing its leadership role in higher education when addressing the widespread challenges of campus health and safety. Creating safe environments for our undergraduate students is, and has been for many years, a top priority for the Fraternity.
While Phi Delta Theta has strict risk management policies, this is only the foundation for risk prevention. Supporting our policies are many pillars: Comprehensive training that reaches thousands of undergraduate members annually at the Fraternity’s in-person Leadership and Ethics Academy programs, a 20-year track record of alcohol-free housing, undergraduate and volunteer officer positions at each chapter that focus on preventing risk, anti-hazing programs, resources, opportunities to seek help, standardized new member training and activities, culture building initiatives that teach individuals to intervene when necessary, and supporting those individuals who have the opportunity to work with our chapters (live-in advisors, volunteers, and parents).
Like any fraternity or organization that works directly with young adults, Phi Delta Theta is not immune to accidents or individuals with bad intent, but we remain vigilant in our strategies and are swift to act when individuals and chapters divert from our expectations.
Phi Delta Theta knows that to deter bad behavior in a group setting, an environment must be created that encourages individuals to speak up without hesitation when they see something that isn’t right. The Fraternity’s Good Samaritan Policy helps to create this environment.
Further, Phi Delta Theta offers an amnesty opportunity for any chapter that is concerned with their commitment to the Fraternity’s risk management policies and wishes to seek help in developing a more positive, values-based experience for their members.
Learn More About Our Health & Safety Initiatives
Parents love us, and sometimes they want to join us
Phi Delta Theta also welcomes and encourages parent involvement. In fact, an increasing number of parents have become involved in our Chapter Advisory Boards, sharing their expertise and background with the undergraduate brothers of Phi Delta Theta and helping guide various aspects of the Fraternity. There is a wide range of opportunity for parent involvement in every chapter including Parents Clubs or regularly attending other events.
A fraternity with alcohol free housing
In 1997, Phi Delta Theta announced its Alcohol-free Housing Policy to the world, and full implementation began in 2000. There were many reasons for this leading decision, but at the forefront of the decision was the alcohol-dominated culture that existed on college campuses and within our chapters that was diminishing the principles upon which Phi Delta Theta was founded.
Since the implementation, Phi Delta Theta has undergone transformational change and has become a noticed leader within the fraternal world. The policy, deemed by many as a factor that could be the end of an organization, has benefited Phi Delta Theta greatly in many ways. Most importantly, the culture that it has created is attracting values-based men who are placed in safe environments where they can become the greatest versions of themselves. We encourage other fraternal organizations to adopt such policy.
Phi Delta Theta chapter properties are to remain free from alcohol by anyone, at any time, under any circumstance. The chapter property may be owned by a local house corporation, college or university, or other entity. If the property is considered Phi Delta Theta “space”, the property is to be alcohol-free. This includes not only the structural facility, but the outdoor area including the front and back yard, parking lot and sidewalks.
The Max Gruver Foundation Partnership to Prevent Hazing
In 2017, Max Gruver tragically died as a result of hazing at the Louisiana Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Louisiana State University. Maxwell Gruver’s death is a deeply regrettable tragedy that should have never happened. The destructive behavior of now-expelled members of the former Louisiana Beta Chapter at Louisiana State University violated Phi Delta Theta’s values and various policies, including Alcohol-Free Housing and others that strictly prohibit hazing, underage alcohol consumption, and the use of alcohol during the new member education process.
In the wake of this heartbreaking and painful loss, Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity, the Gruver Family, and the Maxwell Gruver Foundation formally announced a partnership to celebrate the life and memory of Maxwell Gruver to help eradicate hazing. Phi Delta Theta remains committed to being a leader among fraternities in promoting health and safety initiatives to protect its members and guests. This cooperative relationship will provide unique opportunities for both Phi Delta Theta and The Max Gruver Foundation to work together to strengthen educational efforts aimed at preventing future tragedies.
Transparently Living Our Values
Have a concern? Please contact us.
As we aim to provide our members with a safe and positive fraternal experience, we understand that there are cultures at every college campus working against us. Phi Delta Theta takes great pride in our forward-thinking mentality within the world of fraternal organizations and has become known for many of the bold decisions we’ve made to help shape our Fraternity and those around us. If you ever have any concerns that affect the health and safety of our members, we encourage you to contact us.
An Important Guide For Parents
The transition from high school to college is a time of great anticipation and excitement for the college-bound student and his/her family. It is the beginning of another chapter in a young person’s life — one that brings new opportunities, challenges and responsibilities. It is every student’s goal, and their parents’ desire, that they have a rewarding, successful, meaningful and safe collegiate experience.
Each year, across North America, more than 750,000 undergraduate men and women enjoy membership in college fraternities and sororities. These fraternal organizations (also known collectively as college Greek communities since the majority of groups use Greek-letter names) have been a part of the college experience for more than 200 years and continue to play a significant role in the lives of college students.