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Growth & Expansion

At Delta Chi, you have the opportunity to become the man you were meant to be. Delta Chi believes in developing the whole person and helping our men become better people, not just better Delta Chis who are committed to making an impact on the world around them. We cultivate inclusive environments for any person who self-identifies as a man, who reflects and lives our values of promoting friendship, developing character, advancing justice, and assisting in the acquisition of a sound education. It’s through these values that our members become men of action and grow to become the best version of themselves while living, leading, and growing each day with integrity.

Expansion

Expansion is the process of starting a new chapter or reestablishing old chapters in an effort to grow the Fraternity and offer more students an opportunity to have a positive fraternal experience.

Typically, expansion falls into three categories:

  • Interest Group: An interest group is comprised of a number of men who are interested in bringing Delta Chi to campus.
  • Local Fraternity Affiliation: A local campus fraternity contacts Delta Chi seeking to merge with our organization.
  • Cold Start: The most common type of expansion for Delta Chi is a Cold Start. Either Delta Chi or an institution expresses interest in starting or reestablishing a chapter of Delta Chi on campus.

Once a campus has been identified as a potential expansion site, Fraternity expansion staff works to build a partnership with the institution in order to further determine if Delta Chi is a good fit and determine a potential timeline for expansion. This process can take months or even years in order to get everything aligned and scheduled.

Delta Chi is very intentional when prospecting or considering campuses for expansion. Our expansion staff considers a number of factors, including:

  • Institution Support
  • Alumni Support
  • Student Population
  • Campus Culture
  • Growth Trends
  • Current Health of the Fraternity Community
  • Housing
  • Past History on Campus (if applicable)
  • Overall Timing
  • Alignment with Delta Chi
  • Interest Group (if applicable)
 

Delta Chi takes great pride in our expansion process and is proud to say that our expansion program is one of the best in the interfraternal world. In fact, more than half of our chapters were established within the last 25 years. We credit our success to five key factors:

  1. Optimal Rate of Expansion: Noting the significant resources needed to properly establish a new provisional chapter, we choose to limit the number of expansions each year to 6 (3 per semester) so as not to compromise the quality of support given to each expansion. As a result, the Fraternity is able to provide an extraordinary amount of time and resources to our expansions and provisional chapters.
  1. Dedicated Support: We believe in unwavering support both before expansion begins and after the initial recruitment is complete. With this in mind, Delta Chi dedicates a total of 11 weeks onsite for each of its expansions. This allows our staff to recruit members as well as oversee member education, lead officer selection and training, and assist with provisional chapter operations. The Director of Field Operations oversees each of our expansions from start to finish and provides onsite support as needed.
  1. High Standards: Average is not our goal; it’s our starting point. Whether it’s the standards we use for recruiting Founding Fathers or the expectations we set for our new provisional chapters, Delta Chi strives to raise the bar in all that we do.
  1. Ritual is Introduced From the Start: Delta Chi differs from other international fraternities of similar size and reputation, in that all provisional chapter members (including Founding Fathers) are initiated prior to chartering. Typically, a Founding Father class will be initiated within the same academic term of the expansion. This allows our core founding group to be more invested in their organization, fully understand what it means to be a member of the Fraternity, and achieve chapter status more quickly.
  1. Founding Father Program: It is expected that Founding Fathers will have a unique experience compared to their peers that join more established chapters. They are given the opportunity and responsibility to create and develop a new organization – which is no easy task. Therefore, Delta Chi has developed a Founding Father Program that is specifically designed to address the needs of our provisional chapter and speak to the experiences of these new members. This program adds an extra level of development and helps them explore the key ingredients to developing a successful chapter.

Delta Chi expects a great deal from our provisional chapters because each one of them has the opportunity to impact its campus Fraternity and Sorority Community as well as the larger Fraternity. However, we are committed to providing the necessary support and training that will allow our provisional chapters to be successful and quickly integrate into the community while enhancing the fraternity experience.

Each provisional is expected to meet our chartering standards in order to charter. Receiving the Charter, while a very important landmark, should only be a milestone rather than an end goal. A simple way to think about the chartering process is that when a provisional chapter acts like a chapter, it becomes one. In an effort to reduce the time and energy required by provisional chapters to create lengthy chartering petitions, Delta Chi developed our eight chartering standards. This new model has allowed Delta Chi to have an average chartering rate of 12 to 18 months. It has also proven to reduce the likelihood of a new chapter experiencing any “post-chartering complacency.”

Our Chartering Standards are:

  1. Scholarship
  2. Leadership Development
  3. Risk Management
  4. Membership Development
  5. Community Awareness
  6. Service/Philanthropy
  7. Alumni & Parent Engagement
  8. Chapter Management

As part of these chartering standards, each provisional chapter develops a strategic vision that includes the provisional chapter’s local mission, vision, and 1-3-5 year goals. Our Director of Field Operations oversees the chartering process along with the aid of a Chartering Chair (provisional chapter member) and local alumni volunteers.

Being a Founding Father is a unique opportunity where you will have the ability to build your own positive experience and leave a legacy for those who will become members in the years after you graduate. Rather than adapt to a culture that does not align with your beliefs, you have the freedom and responsibility to help shape the direction of a new provisional chapter on your campus. In addition to the numerous programs offered at an international level, there are a number of leadership opportunities available beginning in the first term, and you have a chance to help bring positive change to the entire Greek community at your campus through living our core values each day.

Fall 2024 Expansion

University of Iowa (Iowa City)*

Founded in 1847, the University of Iowa is recognized for its esteemed writing programs and healthcare research, standing out as a leading public university that blends a strong commitment to the arts with cutting-edge scientific advancements. (*This chapter is in the process of confirming expansion.)

Purdue University (West Lafayette)

Purdue University, founded in 1869, is a top-tier research institution celebrated for its engineering and technology programs, emphasizing hands-on learning and impactful research while maintaining a rich tradition of academic excellence.

Spring 2024 Expansion

Indiana University (Bloomington)

Established in 1820, Indiana University Bloomington is a flagship campus renowned for its vibrant campus life and diverse academic programs, fostering innovation and cultural engagement.

University of Utah (Salt Lake City)*

Established in 1850, the University of Utah, nestled in the picturesque Salt Lake City, is a major research institution celebrated for its contributions to science and medicine, offering a dynamic educational environment and stunning mountainous surroundings. (*This chapter is in the process of confirming expansion.)

Additional Resources

Questions?

Alex Hart
Director of Growth
ahart@deltachi.org




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