FAQ's about LAMBDA CHI ALPHA
Could you give me a brief history about Lambda Chi
Alpha?
Lambda Chi Alpha was founded at Boston University in 1909. The Fraternity
was basically the brainchild of one man - Warren Albert Cole. Because of Cole's belief that honest friendships promote the best in men, over 205,000 men have become brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha. With over 220 chapters in this country and Canada, Lambda Chi Alpha is the third largest international fraternity in the world. The Unversity of New Hampshire chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha is one of the oldest fraternities at UNH as our brotherhood has extended for over 75 years. Since 1918 our chapter has initiated of 1500 members into the bond of brotherhood.
What's the difference between an Associate Member and
a "pledge"?
As an Associate Member, you will be able to attend all chapter meetings and vote in chapter proceedings. There are few, if any, pledges who can make that statement. Associate Members are encouraged and expected to get involved in the mainstream of the chapter operations. We feel this is a great, positive approach; after all, who wants to belong to an organization where you have no input.
What are the advantages of being an Associate Member?
Lambda Chi Alpha has outlawed hazing in its chapters. When you look at our approach to associate Membership, you can see why hazing has no place in our fraternity. As an Associate Member, you share the same responsibilities as initiated members. There are no superior roles and no subservience. If everybody has equal opportunites, then there can be no "holier than thou" attitudes. Lambda Chi Alpha places an emphasis on the development of the individual. This is where being an Associate Member becomes so important. Some fraternities will stress "pledge class unity" as a way to get non-initiated members to work with others. Lambda Chi Alpha stresses the participation of all of the members, both initiated and non-initiated. This allows for greater involvement and greater success. After all, the more people who participate, the greater the reward.
What is your social program like?
Social development is a term you'll hear, but may not understand. Basically, it means learning how to get along with other people in a variety of settings. To begin with, you learn to live, work, and play with other chapter members. You learn to work through problems, and you learn to support each other. Social development also means functions - informal get-togethers at the house, sports, activities with sororities, formals, etc... While we don't make social events the central focus of fraternity life, they are still an essential element ina well rounded person.
What's special about Lambda Chi Alpha?
Most people join a fraternity because of the people in it. At Lambda Chi Alpha our members are extremely diverse, but we are attracted by similar elements. For some, it's our Associate Member program or the fact that we are one of the fastest growing fraternities in the world. In order for a fraternity to become this large in just 80 years, when most fraternities inthe world are 30-60 years older, something must be working well. Maybe it's the fact that we have more alumni living or because we maintain close, continual contact with our Lambda Chi Alpha members. Whatever the reason, all Lambda Chi's agree, we try to be a cut above because we earned it and work to stay here.