A Letter to Parents

Dear Parents and Students,

The relevance and necessity of the fraternity system continues to be called into question as organizations abandon the values upon which fraternities were originally founded and become, in many ways, simply social clubs. In this environment, the decision to join a Greek fraternity is not made nearly as lightly as it was even as recently as the 1980’s and Greeks struggle to reassert their image as men bonded in the congenial pursuit of knowledge, mutual enrichment, and lifelong friendship. Chi Phi is by no means the only fraternity seeking these goals or the fraternity offering the most material amenities, but from my vicarious experience in high school through my older brother to my presidency today, I can testify unequivocally that Chi Phi has yet to render itself irrelevant.

Opportunities are available to brothers immediately. Pledges are organized as a chapter themselves, learning the tasks performed by brothers by planning and executing events on a smaller scale instead of mindless “rites” of passage. Regional Leadership Alliances are held semesterly by the Chi Phi national staff to gather nearby chapters and teach the brothers about leadership, accounting, organizational planning, and history over a weekend. Gifts endowed by the late Brother William Byrd specifically for Nu chapter encourage scholastic excellence by offering scholarships to pledges and active brothers each semester. Joining a smaller chapter allows new members to jump quickly into positions of leadership and make an impact, managing the upkeep of chapter facilities, recording chapter events for posterity, or communicating with Chi Phi’s national staff to maintain chapter operations. The Chi Phi Wilderness Academy and College of Excellence, held on alternating years, each offer a unique environment for a curriculum ranging from etiquette to bouldering and risk management to fundraising. Though fraternities themselves may come under attack, the leadership opportunities and organizational experience they offer remain at the top of the list of desired traits for graduate schools and company recruiters.

I’ve barely touched upon the wealth of my experience here and what we can now offer above our ability in the past, but just as a picture tells a thousand words, time spent with the brothers can provide more than I could ever write. Those interested are greatly encouraged to join us in a weekly dinner, philanthropic events or social mixers to learn more about the brothers and what our organization stands for and on. Contact me or any other of the brothers at any time.

David Dominguez
2008-2009 President, Chi Phi Nu Chapter