Objectives

The Objectives of Theta Chi Fraternity were adopted by the Grand Chapter in 1935. The Objectives present to members and the public the specific aims, programs, and policies of the Fraternity.

1.   The Fraternity. To recognize that the fraternity, ever an independent institution, is a valuable part of higher education, cooperating at all times with the college or the university with which it is associated; to make the chapter house serve as a campus home to the members, both while they are undergraduates and when, as alumni, they return to the campus for visits; to render a definite service as a socializing agency whose success must be measured by the degree of improvement shown between the raw material, the pledge, and the finished product, the graduating senior; to provide experience in making and enforcing regulations for mutual forbearance and cooperation while living together, in selecting leaders, and in participating in other democratic processes, as excellence preparation for life after graduation; and to provide the opportunity for making life long friendships, one of the most valuable contributions of college life.

2.   Obligations. To impress each member with an appreciation of the fact that privileges and honors conferred carry with them the obligations and duties to be properly performed, and to incorporate in all members a sense of responsibility which will serve them well in civil life when the brothers of today become leaders of tomorrow.

3.   Code of Conduct. To develop a definite and practical code of conduct for fraternity men which will reflect in everyday life the ideals of our founders and its general observance will enable our members to set an example of true gentlemanly conduct that will be generally recognized by campus and community as a definite contribution by a fraternity to society in general. This code will include absolute honesty, respect for others, temperance, square dealing, clean living, citizenship responsibility, cooperation, and assistance to the less fortunate.

4.   Chapter House. To make the chapter house a home in which members may live, study, work, and play with reasonable comfort and convenience, keeping constantly in mind that appeal of a real home is based on things more vital than ornate architecture or pretentious display. The chapter house, designed for the needs of a group of no fewer than thirty and no more than sixty men, should be well built, well planned, well managed, comfortably furnished, kept in good repair, and of an appearance both inside and out that conforms to good taste and reasonable home standards.

5.   Chapter Government. To recognize and maintain in chapter government those principles of democracy, cooperation, discipline, and control which make for efficient operation and prepare for useful citizenship.

6.   College Cooperation. To work in close cooperation with the college or university at all times, to maintain, at least monthly, contact between the officers of the chapter and officials of the institution; and in every way possible to assist the institution in maintaining or enhancing its ideals, spirit, and the size and quality of its enrollment, always remembering that the Fraternity takes the attitude of “Alma Mater first and Theta Chi for Alma Mater.”

7.   Pledging Standards. To base the standards for pledging entirely on character, inherent ability, capacity for leadership, and general promise for constructive citizenship, it being the definite purpose of the chapter to correct defects in dress, demeanor, ambition, and attitude.

8.   Scholarship. To maintain continuously the scholastic average of the chapter above the all men’s campus average, not merely as a matter of acquiring scholarship points, but because of the joy and satisfaction that comes with knowing that the important work for which the individual members came to the campus has been well done.

9.   Activities. To take an active interest in worth while college activities by encouraging and assisting members to participate in those for which they are best fitted, never permitting excess participation in any activity to interfere with scholastic standing or graduation.

10. Library. To build up a well-selected library of not fewer than 2,000 volumes, supplemented by some well chosen current magazines and newspapers, and provide adequate facilities for proper care, preservation, cataloging, and use, and to develop the general recognition of use of the library as part of an organized scheme for the more beneficial use of leisure.

11. Alumni. To keep in active contact with all alumni members by sponsoring at least two alumni gatherings a year and by publishing and distributing a chapter news letter to alumni members at least twice and preferably four times a year.

12. Chapter Meetings. To make the chapter meetings an opportunity not only for the expeditious handling of routine business, but also for an intelligent interchange of opinions and ideas on matters of importance in fraternity and citizenship responsibilities.

13. Interfraternity Council. To work out a constructive program and urge the other fraternity chapters to cooperate promptly and fully to make their interfraternity council a vital, controlling force in campus life, with membership based on demonstrated leadership and ability so that the council in cooperation with institutional authorities may make real contributions to student welfare.

14. Inter-Chapter Relations. To develop and increase national conscious in the individual by encouraging frequent contact with other chapters in the Fraternity through means of group and personal visits.

15. Conference and Conventions. To promote greater interest and activity in and better attendance at visits will not only be enjoyable to all parties but will permit regional conferences and national conventions as another means of developing national consciousness.

16. Guest Night. To designate one evening each week as guest night, at which time a member of the faculty or staff or a prominent citizen will be present for dinner and to give a brief after-dinner talk to the members on some pre-arranged subject, this to be followed by round table discussion.

17. Mothers and Fathers. To make mothers and fathers of members and pledges feel that their interest is welcomed and appreciated; to keep them informed of the chapter’s activities by sending copies of the chapter news letter; to foster in all chapters Mother’s Clubs as another means of keeping them interested at all time in the chapter and the Fraternity.

18. Chapter Endowment Fund. To create an endowment fund from moneys set aside from initiation fees and other sources and to preserve this fund for future emergencies or to make loans to worthy undergraduate members.

19. Cash Operation. To maintain a cash basis of operation as prescribed in the Theta Chi Finance System, so that indebtedness will be promptly met and so that the chapter will operate strictly on a ‘pay as you go’ basis.

20. Chapter Credit. To establish a high credit rating for the chapter by (a) continuously keeping within its income and meeting all obligations when due, (b) by giving notice to all local creditors through the chapter financial supervisor and the college and university authorities that in granting credit each chapter is to be considered on the same basis as any other individual or corporation requesting credit, the credit to be granted or withheld by the creditor on the basis of the chapter’s alumni corporation is in any sense responsible for the debts of the undergraduate chapter, and it being further fully understood by all concerned that neither the national organization nor the alumni corporation is to be considered as a collecting agency. Any merchant who extends credit beyond the point justified by sound business practice in dealing with an organization whose membership changes completely every four years will do so entirely at his own risk.

21. House Ownership. To arrange the financial plan and structure of the chapter so that as quickly as possible it will own its house free and clear; then with normal carrying charges an active member can live, eat, and enjoy all fraternity privileges for no great financial outlay than that required for board and room in a dormitory or a rooming house.

22. Internal Cooperation. To maintain at all times a high degree of cooperation with the Grand Chapter, the Executive Office, the regional counselor and the staff of The Rattle.