The Mission of the Delta Upsilon International Fraternity is to Build Better Men through the life-long promotion of the Fraternity's Four Founding Principles--Friendship, Character, Culture, and Justice.
Another unique aspect of Delta Upsilon is the many innovative programs, resources, and services we offer our members. Delta Upsilon was the first fraternity to produce a comprehensive chapter operations manual and rating system, The Seven Stars System, in the late 1980s. Since then, the Fraternity has produced a wealth of informational and educational resources for our chapters and colonies.
Does Delta Upsilon have an educational foundation?
The Delta Upsilon Educational Foundation was incorporated in the state of Ohio in 1949, in order to aid, encourage, promote and contribute to the education of persons enrolled as students of any college or university in the United States or Canada. Today, the Educational Foundation serves the International Fraternity, undergraduate chapters, and members alike with a variety of financial resources for educational purposes. The Educational Foundation is managed by an Executive Director and a Board of Directors. A similar foundation, the Delta Upsilon Educational Foundation of Canada, was incorporated in 1988.
How many members does Delta Upsilon have?
Since our founding we have initiated more than 110,000 men and currently have nearly 65,000 living alumni and approximately 3,000 undergraduate members.
How many chapters and colonies does Delta Upsilon have?
Delta Upsilon is comprised of over 80 chapters and colonies throughout the United States and Canada. Delta Upsilon's chapters and colonies are divided into 13 geographic provinces for management and regional educational purposes. The Fraternity is currently represented by undergraduate chapters in 29 US States and 5 Canadian Provinces. View the DU Chapter and Colony Roll.
What is Delta Upsilon's average chapter size?
Delta Upsilon's average chapter size is approximately 35 members.
What is the recent expansion history of Delta Upsilon?
Since the 1993-94 academic year, Delta Upsilon International Fraternity has colonized or reestablished chapters at the following institutions:
- St. Norbert College - DePere, Wisconsin
- Carthage College - Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Pace University - Pleasantville, New York
- University of Central Florida - Orlando, Florida
- Shippensburg University - Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
- SUNY-Albany - Albany, New York
- Northern Arizona University - Flagstaff, Arizona
- University of Florida - Gainesville, Florida
- University of Texas-Pan American - Edinburgh, Texas
- Harvard University - Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville - Edwardsville, Illinois
- San Diego State University - San Diego, CA
- Ohio University - Athens, Ohio
- Northwestern State University - Natchitoches, Louisiana
- North Carolina State University - Raleigh, North Carolina
- Washington State University - Pullman, Washington
- University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Michigan
Does Delta Upsilon have any requirements for expansion?
It is the goal of Delta Upsilon International Fraternity to expand its chapter roster to include campuses where we might increase the fraternal experience for undergraduate men. View Delta Upsilon's Expansion Criteria.
What kind of staff support can Delta Upsilon provide a new colony?
Upon colonization, the Fraternity will bring at least two staff members and several volunteers to the campus to coordinate a recruitment program, educate new members about their Fraternity, and help to develop their membership. Fraternity staff will conduct work sessions to educate the officers of the new colony on leadership techniques and their responsibilities and assist them in outlining both short and long-term goals. A timetable of accomplishments will then lead to the colony's installation as a chapter of Delta Upsilon within 150-180 days. The number of visits to a colony per year is based on campus and colony needs, but colonies generally receive professional staff visits every six weeks in addition to local alumni support.
How long does it take for a Delta Upsilon Colony to become a chapter?
It is Delta Upsilon's goal to install a new chapter 150-180 days after colonization.
What kind of commitment is Delta Upsilon looking for from my university or college?
Delta Upsilon will rely heavily on the cooperation of Greek Life Administration and the Interfraternity Council (IFC) in identifying student make-up, campus trends, and issues related to Greek life. In order to ensure a successful colonization effort, Delta Upsilon will look to the other men's and women's groups on the campus for positive support and help with advance promotion and recruitment publicity. Depending on campus formal and informal recruitment periods, we will look to be a part of any IFC campus-wide promotion efforts and will welcome membership referrals.
Most importantly, Delta Upsilon believes in developing a strong working relationship with the Interfraternity Council and its member chapters. We will request the opportunity to introduce Delta Upsilon International Fraternity to National Interfraternity Conference, National Panhellenic Conference, and National Pan-Hellenic Council groups in the hopes of educating all organizations about our Fraternity, and to demonstrate how Delta Upsilon hopes to benefit the existing community. There is no doubt a new group will look to the Interfraternity Council for guidance and support in its initial development stages. We hope the IFC will reach out to the new group, making available and encouraging participation in IFC resources, committees, and activities.
What kind of alumni support does the Fraternity have in the area?
With a world-wide network of nearly 65,000 living alumni it is likely that there are a significant number of Delta Upsilon alumni volunteers within close proximity to most college campuses. Please contact the International Headquarters staff for a more specific estimate of alumni in your area.
In most cases there are also successful chapters of Delta Upsilon in close proximity to campuses that the Fraternity has targeted making them ideal locations for expansion. The chapter members and alumni from any local chapters will be readily available to lend their support and volunteer their time and efforts to a local colony.
Does Delta Upsilon require its colonies and chapters to have a faculty or alumni advisor?
Each chapter and colony is required to have at least one alumni or faculty advisor and to meet with him or her regularly. It is the goal of the Fraternity to ensure that every chapter and colony have a full and functioning alumni chapter including an advisory board and house corporation if necessary.
In the unlikely event that a sufficient number of alumni are not available to provide adequate advisory support to the colony, Fraternity staff will encourage and help the colony to identify local campus and community persons who would be interested in developing the fraternity experience for these men through advising and counsel.
Delta Upsilon's Alumni Initiate Program provides a perfect opportunity to introduce non-affiliated men to the vision and values that have guided our Fraternity for over 165 years. Many represent the qualities and talents we look for in chapter advisors. In many cases they may be recruited to serve the colony as valuable, confident, and knowledgeable resources.
Will Delta Upsilon set up any sort of alumni chapter or advisory board for a new colony?
Upon receipt of an invitation to expand, area DU alumni are immediately contacted to measure their interest in assisting a new colony and our efforts to screen interested individuals would begin. Alumni training will be provided by the Fraternity's Alumni Chapter Guide, the Leadership Institute, the Winter Educational Conference, regional alumni training conferences, and regular colony and chapter visits provided by Fraternity staff.
Alumni involvement in colonization efforts is guided, monitored, and assisted by the International Headquarters. The Fraternity's staff works with local alumni to measure the progress of the colony and identify their needs for additional assistance.
The goals of the alumni chapter are to advise the undergraduate chapter, to manage the chapter property efficiently, and to recruit all possible DU alumni to assist. All alumni of the local chapter as well as any interested alumni in the area, are included in the alumni chapter. While not all chapters are set up with the system that follows, this provides an outline and position descriptions for recommended alumni involvement. The overall governing body of the alumni chapter should be the Executive Council. The members of the Executive Council are as follows:
The president oversees the entire operation of the alumni chapter and ensures sure projects are being completed, and issues are handled responsibly. If appropriate, he is also the representative to the institution's alumni interfraternity council.
The vice president assists the president in the smooth operation of the alumni chapter and edits the alumni chapter newsletter.
The treasurer is responsible for the general alumni chapter account and acts as a financial advisor to the four sub-groups of the alumni chapter and undergraduate chapter.
The secretary keeps permanent record of all general alumni chapter meetings and ensures records are being kept for each of the four alumni chapter subgroups
The trustee attends the annual Assembly of Trustees at Leadership Institute to represent the views of the alumni chapter on various issues facing the Fraternity. He may appoint another alumnus to take his place if he is unable to attend the Leadership Institute.
The Executive Council should meet quarterly to discuss the progress of both the undergraduate and alumni chapters. The three subgroups of the alumni chapter are the local house corporation, the alumni advisory board, and the alumni involvement committee. Each group has a chairman who should also attend the quarterly executive council meetings. The organization and responsibilities of the three subgroups include:
The house corporation consists of a chairman, six alumni directors, and the undergraduate chapter president. The board of directors should hold elections within the group to designate a vice chairman, a treasurer and a secretary. The corporation is responsible for the maintenance of the chapter house, and taking care of any taxes and insurance for the chapter. The corporation should meet quarterly.
The alumni advisory board consists of a chairman to coordinate the program and an advisor for each area of operation (each undergraduate chapter executive officer): administration advisor (for the undergraduate president), finance advisor (for the treasurer), fraternity relations advisor (for the secretary), member education advisor (for the vice president of member education), public relations advisor (for the vice president of public relations), membership recruitment advisor (for the vice president of membership recruitment), scholarship advisor (for the vice president of scholarship), and loss prevention advisor (for the vice president of loss prevention). Each of these advisors should keep a notebook of information and should be in contact with the undergraduate officer every two weeks and meet with him at least twice each semester.
The alumni involvement committee consists of a chairman and five alumni committee members. The purpose of this group is to organize social events for the alumni and coordinate events such as Homecoming, Founders Day, annual golf tournament, etc. with the undergraduate chapter. The chairman should identify projects and appoint a committee member to head the project. The primary goal is to maximize alumni involvement in the alumni chapter and in support of the undergraduate chapter. The committee should meet at least semi-annually.
The entire alumni chapter should meet annually. The office structure presented consists of 27 positions (five on the executive council; eight on the board of directors of the corporation; eight advising the undergraduate chapter; and six working on alumni involvement).
Would a new Delta Upsilon colony be housed?
Initially, Delta Upsilon focuses on recruiting and educating quality members and not on immediately securing housing for a new colony. The Fraternity recognizes that a new colony must first master colony operations before trying to take on the additional responsibility of filling and maintaining a chapter residence. However, if housing is available and the members of the colony and local alumni wish to secure housing, the Fraternity will assist them at the appropriate time in any manner possible.
Does Delta Upsilon have a housing fund or provide housing loans to chapters and colonies?
Delta Upsilon currently has a reserve that can be used to provide for chapters and colonies in time of emergency or when life safety issues arise. In the past the Fraternity has also served as a loan guarantor for several chapters.
DU chapters and colonies can also set up their own educational accounts within the Delta Upsilon Educational Foundation. There are two types of accounts, Chapter Educational Accounts and Chapter Educational Trusts, which are different with regards to their purpose, and desired outcomes and uses. A Chapter Educational Account is established to meet educational needs over a defined period of time, and does not seek to build principle, but offer liquidity. On the other hand, a Chapter Educational Trust is established with the goal of permanently meeting the educational needs of a chapter through the production of interest. Both of these accounts allow alumni and friends of Delta Upsilon to donate funds to the Educational Foundation for use with a specific chapter or colony. Chapters and/or colonies with a Chapter Educational Account or a Chapter Educational Trust can use the funds for educational purposes such as scholarships, endowments, and educational facility construction.
Does Delta Upsilon have any minimum grade point average requirements for its pledges or members?
In order for a colony to be approved for chapter installation and its members for initiation, the colony's cumulative colony grade point average must be at or above the All-Men's or All-Fraternity average, whichever is higher. Because we recognize the academic variations from campus to campus, Delta Upsilon defers to each chapter for establishing academic standards for pledging and initiation.
Chapter members are required to maintain favorable academic standing at the college or university at which the undergraduate chapter is established. Should the behavior, activities, or academic standing of an individual prove inconsistent with the values and mission of the Fraternity, the local chapter is expected to address the situation. Delta Upsilon strives to balance the need for International Headquarters influence over chapter operations and the need for local chapters and colonies to exercise individual autonomy. In most cases, chapters and colonies are given autonomy in determining the specific objectives, activities, and discipline necessary to facilitate the overall Fraternity mission. Guidance is provided through the educational publications and programming of the Fraternity, professional staff visits, and local alumni and faculty advising. In all cases, Delta Upsilon strives to develop an educational response that will facilitate the desired change in behavior or academic performance. Our Scholarship Manual (pdf file) is distributed to every chapter and colony to assist them in developing a scholarship program that meets their specific needs.
What kind of new member education program does Delta Upsilon offer?
Delta Upsilon staff members work closely with colonies and chapters to constantly develop and improve each group's new member education program. While Delta Upsilon does not mandate a unified new member education program for all colonies and chapters, the expectation that a written new member education program no longer than eight weeks be implemented. It is also expected that each chapter and/or colony new member education program contain elements such as Fraternity history, educational programming, loss prevention programming, and personal development programming. The goal of any new member education program is to begin the foundation for a successful college career, life-skills, and a beneficial fraternal experience. Chapters and colonies also have available to them copies of other chapter's new member education programs to learn from and use as models for their own programs.
What kinds of community service requirements are placed on Delta Upsilon chapters and colonies?
Two of Delta Upsilon's Four Founding Principles include the Advancement of Justice and the Development of Character. Philanthropy and community service play a large role in developing this vision and value in our undergraduate men. With that foundation in mind, Delta Upsilon has made a concerted effort encouraging our groups to commit to active community service as opposed to fundraising. We have found much more to be gained through the personal interaction that comes from hands-on service to others than the often hands-off approach to philanthropic fundraising. Prior to chapter installation, colonies must be completing two philanthropic or community service efforts per year, with one effort or campaign solely sponsored by the group.
Delta Upsilon currently has no internationally recognized philanthropy, charitable organization, or community service project. However, we work closely with new groups to identify the specific needs of their local community. We help the group implement a community-based service program based on their beliefs of where they will have the greatest impact. Delta Upsilon Fraternity was one of the first to implement the "Into the Streets" hands-on service initiative at our summer Leadership Institute and we have provided our chapters and colonies with the programming tools necessary to implement such an initiative on their own campuses.
What is Delta Upsilon's Loss Prevention Policy?
Delta Upsilon is a member of Fraternity Insurance Purchasing Group, Inc. (FIPG, Inc.) and the Fraternity Risk Management Trust, Ltd. (FRMT, Ltd.) and abides by all of the policies therein. Areas addressed include Alcohol & Drugs; Hazing; Sexual Abuse; Physical Abuse; Fire, Health & Safety; and Education. View the Delta Upsilon Loss Prevention Policy.
What is the Fraternity's position on alcohol-free housing?
The McQuaid Commission, chaired by the Fraternity's former president James D. McQuaid, Chicago '60, was established in 1997 by Delta Upsilon's Board of Directors to examine the effects of alcohol and substance use on Delta Upsilon's chapters and colonies. The Commission had five charges:
- investigate the effects of alcohol on the Fraternity and its membership;
- conduct a study of Fraternity membership which provides details and factors about the attitudes and experiences that DU undergraduate members have with alcohol;
- prepare an analysis and report on the Fraternity's policies and educational initiatives relating to alcohol use and propose recommendations concerning potential policy changes and new programs;
- investigate and report on the concept of alcohol-free housing and/or possible alternatives; and,
- generate a composite report with recommendations for the Fraternity to consider.
In July 1998, a resolution regarding alcohol-free housing was presented by the McQuaid Commission at the 1998 Leadership Institute and was subsequently amended and passed by the Fraternity's Undergraduate Convention, Assembly of Trustees, and Board of Directors.
The policy stipulates that all new Fraternity colonies, recolonizations, and reorganizations will be undertaken with an alcohol-free housing policy in place.
Furthermore, the policy stipulates that all existing Fraternity chapters must meet at least 85 percent rating of the Fraternity's Chapter Excellence Plan by July 1, 2000, or they will go before the Fraternity's Standards Committee. If the committee determines that the chapter has not met at least 85 percent of the standards because of alcohol use by chapter members, the chapter must implement an alcohol-free housing policy. If the chapter can maintain at least 85 percent of the standards for a minimum of three years, the chapter may petition the Standards Committee for removal of the policy.
If a chapter has petitioned the Standards Committee to lift the alcohol-free housing policy, and the Standards Committee recommends that the appeal be granted, the host institution and alumni body of the chapter must also concur with the lifting of the policy.
What kind of liability insurance coverage does Delta Upsilon have?
Delta Upsilon has a general liability insurance policy of $1 million through Fraternity Risk Management Trust, Inc. with a $10 million umbrella through Royal Insurance. The policy covers all undergraduate and alumni members and officers from liability arising from accidents and mishaps.
What will Delta Upsilon do if a colony violates Fraternity or campus policies or the law?
Delta Upsilon takes all infractions of Fraternity; host college or university; and local, state/provincial, and federal law very seriously. Chapter members are required to maintain their good standing at the college or university at which the undergraduate chapter or colony is established. Should the behavior, activities or academic standing of an individual prove inconsistent with the values and mission of the Fraternity, the local chapter or colony is expected to address the situation. Delta Upsilon strives to balance the need for International Headquarters influence over chapter or colony operations and the need for local chapters or colonies to exercise individual autonomy. To promote student development, chapters and colonies are regularly allowed to propose to the Fraternity's Standards Committee sanctions that they think will bring about the desired change in the chapter or colony.
The International Fraternity is prepared to levy an equitable response to chapter and colony misconduct. The Fraternity aggressively implements its loss prevention policies with chapters and colonies, and violations are dealt with immediately. First-time violations typically result in a probationary period, educational programming, and event approval by members of the Fraternity staff. Flagrant or repeated violation of the policy result in stronger sanctions including suspension of social privileges, insurance surcharges, and additional educational programming.
In all cases, Delta Upsilon strives to develop an educational response that will facilitate the desired change in behavior or performance.
Does Delta Upsilon have any membership education standards for colonies?
Delta Upsilon requires chapters and colonies to implement a written membership education program.
How do I start a Delta Upsilon colony on my campus?
Please visit Bringing Delta Upsilon to Your Campus for information regarding this question.