Information for Families
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about The Delta Chi Fraternity.
We want you to be as excited and comfortable with your son’s interest in the Fraternity as he is. Delta Chi understands that the expectations of today’s college men are growing and as a Fraternity, we wish to enable your son to meet and exceed those expectations and be a successful member after graduation.
The Fraternity provides support to our chapters and individual members through leadership programs, written and online programming, and professional staff chapter visits. Alumni educate and advise the operations of the chapters and minimum standards for all Delta Chi chapters are in place to ensure all brothers have a quality fraternity experience.
Karl Grindel, Central Missouri ’01
Executive Director & CEO
Five Key Findings About the Fraternity Experience
College is an exciting but often challenging time. Having a dedicated support system can make a significant difference. Research indicates that fraternity membership helps students build meaningful connections with their peers and campus community, contributing to a greater sense of belonging and positive mental health outcomes.
Much of a student’s personal development occurs outside the classroom. Delta Chi provides opportunities to strengthen leadership, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that contribute to success in college and throughout a professional career. In fact, 83% of fraternity members report increased confidence in their leadership abilities as a result of their membership.
Delta Chi is far more than a four-year experience. Through relationships with brothers, alumni, campus leaders, and community members, students build networks that often remain valuable throughout their lives. Research also shows that fraternity members tend to be more engaged on campus and in their communities than their unaffiliated peers.
A strong fraternity experience requires members to care for and support one another. Research shows that fraternity men demonstrate a greater understanding of creating safer, more inclusive environments and are more likely to make responsible decisions that positively affect their communities.
A true brotherhood supports one another and steps in when someone needs guidance or help. Research shows fraternity members are more likely to intervene in high-risk situations and feel a stronger responsibility to encourage their peers’ personal and professional growth.
These findings are encouraging because they reinforce the value we see in the Delta Chi experience every day. Our goal is for every member to find friendship and belonging while developing the character, leadership skills, and relationships that will benefit him for a lifetime.
About Delta Chi
About Delta Chi: Founded October 13, 1890, at Cornell University. Delta Chi has initiated more than 137,000 men. Today, there are over 100 active Chapters, Provisional Chapters and Alumni Chapters across the United States and Canada.
Delta Chi focuses on four core values: promoting friendship, developing character, advancing justice, and assisting in the acquisition of a sound education. The Fraternity is committed to creating lifelong bonds of brotherhood while fostering leadership, academic excellence, personal growth, and service.
Colors: Red and Buff
Headquarters Location: Indianapolis, IN
Frequently Asked Questions and Resources
When your son chose to become a member of Delta Chi, he made one of the most significant decisions of his college career. In doing so, he joined an organization dedicated not only to supporting his success during his undergraduate years but also to providing lifelong opportunities for personal, professional, and leadership development after graduation.
As an important part of his support system, you have become part of the Delta Chi experience as well. This email is the first in a three-part parent and family communication series designed to help you better understand your son’s involvement in our Fraternity and the opportunities available to him as a Delta Chi brother.
Founded in 1890, The Delta Chi Fraternity was established on the principles of promoting friendship, developing character, advancing justice, and assisting in the acquisition of a sound education. Since that time, more than 137,000 men have joined our brotherhood, many of whom remain actively involved as alumni and mentors.
As a new member, your son will begin Delta Chi’s 35 Day Associate Member Program. This experience is designed to support his transition to college life, foster personal growth, and introduce him to the history, values, and traditions of our Fraternity. Throughout the program, he will participate in weekly meetings, build meaningful friendships with both fellow associate members and initiated brothers, and develop a deeper sense of belonging within the chapter community. Our 35-day Associate Member Program emphasizes personal responsibility, leadership development, and purposeful engagement, helping members build a strong foundation for success both on campus and beyond.
Delta Chi has long been a leader in promoting a positive and safe membership experience. In 1929, Delta Chi became the first fraternity to abolish “Hell Week,” and we remain steadfast in our commitment to an environment free from hazing, coercion, and illegal activity. The Fraternity maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward any behavior that conflicts with our values or compromises the well-being of our members. We encourage you to discuss these expectations with your son and to help reinforce the importance of living our values every day.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your son’s Associate Member experience, please do not hesitate to contact Seth Kardon, Director of Member Safety, at skardon@deltachi.org.
Thank you for entrusting us with the opportunity to be part of your son’s college journey. We are continually inspired by the character, determination, and integrity our members demonstrate, and we are excited to support their growth as students, leaders, and lifelong brothers of Delta Chi.
Opportunities for Fathers and Family Members
Fathers and other male relatives may be eligible for alumni initiation into The Delta Chi Fraternity. An alumnus initiate is an individual selected by an undergraduate chapter for initiation into the Bond because the chapter believes he can make a meaningful contribution to the Fraternity and its members.
Alumni initiates often provide valuable guidance, mentorship, and support across many aspects of chapter operations, particularly for chapters with limited alumni involvement due to geographic constraints. As a result, they frequently serve in important leadership and advisory roles within a chapter’s support structure, including the Alumni Board of Trustees (ABT), House Corporation, Faculty Advisor, or “BB” Chapter Advisor.
An alumnus initiate is not considered an “honorary member” or “honorary initiate.” Rather, he is welcomed as a full member of The Delta Chi Fraternity and enjoys the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as any other Delta Chi alumnus. To be eligible, an alumnus initiate must not already be an initiated member of another college social fraternity.
Parent and Family Involvement
Parents’ Clubs and Moms’ Clubs offer excellent opportunities for family members to become actively involved in supporting their son’s chapter. These organizations play an important role in strengthening the chapter community and enhancing the undergraduate experience.
Parent organizations often assist with events and initiatives such as Parents’ Weekend, Homecoming, house improvement projects, fundraising efforts, finals care packages, and chapter celebrations. In addition, many members of Parents’ and Moms’ Clubs contribute their time and expertise by serving in leadership and advisory positions, including roles on the Alumni Board of Trustees.
Through their involvement, family members help create a stronger, more supportive environment that promotes the continued success of both the chapter and its members.
Delta Chi is firmly opposed to any practice that constitutes, or could be perceived as, hazing. The associate member experience is designed to be one of education, challenge, personal growth, leadership development, and excitement. Hazing in any form is fundamentally inconsistent with these objectives and represents a direct violation of both the 11 Basic Expectations of a Delta Chi and the oath every member takes upon initiation.
Delta Chi takes the safety and well-being of its members and associate members extremely seriously. Any behavior that places an individual at risk is unacceptable and contrary to the values of our Fraternity. Through a longstanding commitment to creating a positive undergraduate experience centered on friendship, personal development, service, and preparation for professional success, Delta Chi has built a legacy of excellence that spans more than 115 years.
Men like your son help strengthen that legacy every day by living out Delta Chi’s values and principles. Their commitment to character, leadership, and brotherhood continues to ensure a bright future for both the Fraternity and the communities they serve.
The Delta Chi Foundation is a separately incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational foundation established in 1954 to support the educational and leadership development of Delta Chi members. Through tax-deductible contributions, the Foundation provides resources and opportunities that help young men maximize their collegiate experience and prepare for future success.
All Delta Chi members are eligible to apply for a variety of scholarships and academic awards funded by the Foundation. In addition, the Foundation provides grants that enable members to attend educational programs, leadership seminars, and professional development conferences throughout the United States.
The Foundation also sponsors scholarships for incoming college freshmen at many colleges and universities. These scholarships are available to students regardless of Fraternity affiliation, and recipients are under no obligation to join Delta Chi in the future.
For alumni, families, and supporters who wish to make a lasting impact, the Foundation offers opportunities to establish named funds that support chapter-specific scholarships, educational initiatives, and housing-related projects. Through these programs, the Delta Chi Foundation helps cultivate leadership, academic excellence, and personal growth for generations of Delta Chi men.
Delta Chi Foundation website
As the semester draws to a close, your son’s college journey is well underway. Through his membership in Delta Chi, he is being encouraged to put our core values into practice each day, developing the character, leadership, and sense of responsibility needed to thrive within his chapter and the broader university community.
At Delta Chi, we believe that serving others is a fundamental part of the fraternity experience and an essential component of developing men of character. In recognition of our founding on October 13, 1890, the week leading up to October 13 is observed annually as Delta Chi’s Week of Service. During this special week, chapters and colonies across North America unite in their commitment to making a positive impact through service projects and community engagement efforts, giving back to the communities they are proud to call home.
Thank you for entrusting us with the opportunity to be part of your son’s collegiate experience. We remain committed to providing a meaningful fraternal experience that emphasizes leadership, personal growth, philanthropy, and service to others. We are proud of the contributions our members make and look forward to supporting your son as he continues his journey in Delta Chi.
See what the Delta Chi Class of 2026 said regarding their post graduation plans.
Delta Chi is member of the North American Interfraternity Conference. NIC conducts and publishes research on numerous topics related to Fraternity life. Click here for more information.
Additional Questions?
Contact IHQ
3845 N Meridian St
Indianapolis, IN 46208
info@deltachi.org
317-747-1890