Frequently Asked Questions about Theta Tau
Main Page |
Calendar |
Links |
Pictures |
Members |
Alumni |
History |
Rush |
Pledge |
Contact |
Advisors |
FAQs
Intramurals | Family Trees |
From the Regent |
Rube Goldberg
Below is a list of questions
that one might have during Rush, before or during pledging, or even after you
are initiated and become a member. Many questions are listed here. However,
if you have any further questions, feel free to contact us, or ask any member.
What
is a Greek? What is a Greek Organization?
What is Theta Tau?
What is the purpose of Theta Tau?
What is the motto of Theta Tau?
How is Theta Tau unique in respect
to other campus organizations?
Theta Tau is like an academically
oriented organization because...
Theta Tau is like a socially oriented
organization because...
What can Theta Tau do for me?
What does it take to become a Brother?
Can anyone Rush and Pledge?
Can women join Theta Tau?
Can a Graduate Student in Engineering join?
Can I be a member of Theta Tau and another fraternity?
How do I join?
What is "Rushing"?
When does Rush Start?
What is "Pledging"?
Are there any fees associated with pledging?
Does Theta Tau haze?
How much time does Rushing/Pledging/Being a Brother take?
I want to join Theta Tau but I am afraid of rejection. What if I don't get a bid?
Do you have a house?
How do you pronounce "Theta Tau"?
Who is the advisor?
How much are members' dues?
How long am I expected to pay dues?
Are members of Theta Tau on campus often?
How long does membership last?
Greek organizations are simply fraternities or sororities. They are called "Greek"
because the Greek alphabet is often used to name such organizations. A "Greek"
is someone that is a member of a fraternity or sorority.
Back to Top
Founded at the University of Minnesota in 1904, Theta Tau is the largest (as
well as the oldest) professional fraternity in the field of engineering. Over
30,000 have been initiated in Theta Tau's century of existence. With emphasis
on quality and a strong fraternal bond, the Fraternity has chapters only at
ABET accredited schools, and limits to seventy student members in any one of
its chapters across the nation.
In addition to the character building
potential of many other fraternities, Theta Tau offers its members professional
development experiences and contacts with alumni who are professional engineers
- opportunities not available to most undergraduates. It carefully follows a
program in the selection and development of its members that stresses the importance
of high professional ethics and exemplary practices. Within each chapter, the
Fraternity stimulates professional activity and social compatibility; provides
a framework for group participation in campus, community, engineering, and fraternity
affairs; offers recreation; and promotes lasting friendship - a lifetime of
brotherhood in an engineering environment.
Each member is encouraged to participate fully in the technical society in his
field, and as fully as his abilities and academic load will permit in athletics,
engineering or university student government, and other worthwhile campus activities.
Because of the Fraternity's professional orientation, commuter students, graduate
and married students, as well as single undergraduates, all find membership
valuable.
Back to Top
The purpose of Theta Tau is to develop and maintain a high standard of professional
interest among its members and to unite them in a strong bond of fraternal fellowship.
Back to Top
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might..." - Ecclesiastes
9:10
Back to Top
There are many organizations at Tech that are either socially or academically
oriented. Theta Tau is able to combine these two qualities in order to make
an organization that you can truly get the most out of while in college.
Back to Top
--Every Brother is an engineering student.
--We have professional development activities that relate to our majors.
--We have our old tests and homework on file for younger brothers to use.
--Many of us have been in academic situations that you may face. We are able
to help each other with choosing teachers, study strategies, and tutoring.
Back to Top
--We have parties, mixers and other social events.
--We participate in intramural athletics and other sporting events.
--We take road trips to other chapters and to other fun places.
--We have a strong bond of brotherhood.
Back to Top
Three out of four freshmen fail or drop out of engineering school. Theta Tau
aims to support engineers by offering tutoring, assistance in choosing classes
and professors, or assistance with other aspects of classes such as aid with
reports or presentations. By promoting professional development and bonds with
fellow engineers, members have a distinct advantage in the job market. Theta
Tau also provides an outlet for fun and relaxation with various social activities
to counter the stressful effects of the engineering curriculum. Let's face it;
everyone needs to relax sometimes.
Back to Top
It takes enthusiasm, motivation, dedication and hard work. By becoming a brother,
you are rewarded with lifelong friendships and an interesting college experience.
We expect you to support your brothers and to learn the responsibilities and
benefits of community and brotherhood. Fraternal brothers look out for each
other like natural siblings, and are united by a bond stronger than most formed
in life. We expect you to support your fraternity and to strive to make things
better for future members.
Back to Top
Theta Tau seeks a diverse membership and encourages every engineering student
to rush and pledge. As a co-ed fraternity, we welcome female and male prospects.
Check the Rush page on our website for requirements.
Back to Top
Yes! Theta Tau is a co-educational fraternity. It is open to any student who
meets our criteria, regardless of gender.
Back to Top
Yes, graduate engineering students are allowed to join Theta Tau and are encouraged
to do so. However, please keep in mind that everyone goes through pledging.
Back to Top
Because Theta Tau is a professional fraternity any member of a social fraternity
is eligible to join. However, members of certain other professional fraternities
or sororities are ineligible. (E.g. Alpha Chi Sigma, Phi Sigma Rho, Scarab,
etc.) Yet, there are many exceptions to this, so please contact us to find out
if you are eligible to join.
Back to Top
Like other fraternal organizations, membership in Theta Tau will come only after
you have proven that you will be a valuable member of the organization. There
are three steps to joining: rushing, pledging, and initiation.
Back to Top
Rushing is an open invitation for eligible students to start the process of
becoming a member of Theta Tau. It allows the potential pledge to meet the members
and learn what the fraternity is about. During Rush students are explained what
is involved in the pledging process. Rush begins near the beginning of each
semester and last about a week. If the student is interested, he or she may
"rush" the fraternity by signing up as a prospective "pledge"
of Theta Tau--there is still NO OBLIGATION to the student or the fraternity.
By signing up, the student is showing they are interested in the fraternity
and would like more information. At the end of the rush period, the members
of Theta Tau vote on prospective pledges. Upon a positive vote to have a student
"pledge" Theta Tau, the student will be contacted and asked if he
or she would like to "pledge" Theta Tau.
Back to Top
Fall and Spring Rush occur around the second week of school. Check the Rush page
on our website for more details.
Back to Top
Pledging Theta Tau is a continuing promise by the student to become an active
member of Theta Tau. A "pledge" is a person who has made this promise
and all the members of Theta Tau have accepted his promise. The "pledge
period" lasts for about eights weeks of the semester. It is a time for
all the active members of Theta Tau to get to know the students that are pledging
and for the students to get to know the members of the fraternity and the background
of Theta Tau at large. During the Pledge cycle the student learns history about
the fraternity, important Theta Tau facts, what it means to be a member of Theta
Tau and bonds with their fellow Pledge brothers and soon to be Theta Tau brothers.
At any point in the pledge period, any
student may be removed from pledging by either the student himself or Theta
Tau with no obligations to either party thereafter. At the end of the pledge
period, if the remaining students have met all the requirements as asked of
them, an anonymous vote is taken by the active members before any pledge is
given the choice to accept membership into Theta Tau. Each student must acquire
a unanimous vote in favor of his membership.
Back to Top
Upon receiving a bid and deciding to pledge, there is a small pledging fee that
goes to the national Fraternity office. Other fees included a pledge materials
fee and an initiation fee upon becoming an official member. These fees are extremely
small in contrast with those of other fraternities and sororities.
Back to Top
NO. Hazing is prohibited. Additionally, it is Theta Tau's policy that we do
not force our pledges to do anything that goes against their beliefs or causes
harm to themselves or others.
Back to Top
Academic success is as much a goal of the brotherhood as having fun is. Just
as you must schedule time to be in class and time to study, you must also give
a portion of your time to the fraternity. Both pledges and brothers are expected
to maintain an active role since the strength of the brotherhood depends on
the strengths of the individual brothers. There will be mandatory events that
you must attend such as ceremonies and weekly meetings (meetings lasting about
an hour). There are also events that you can choose from and attend a required
number of, such as community service and professional development events.
Back to Top
Believe it or not, we rarely have a problem with that. The brothers are very
open and are willing to give almost everyone a chance. If you attend the rush
events and talk to at least some of the brothers, (the more, the better) you
will more likely get an invitation to pledge. If you do not, don't feel rejected.
Talk to the brothers and get to know them over the upcoming months. We participate
in activities open to all engineering students, not just Theta Tau members.
The better we get to know you, the better the chance you will receive a bid.
Not all members received bids the first time they showed interest in joining.
Because membership is for life and because of the responsibilities of membership,
we must make sure you would make a good member and can handle the responsibilities
with which you will be presented.
Back to Top
We do not currently have a chapter house, but hope to have one sometime in the future.
Until then we have a house that we hold off-campus events at members' houses.
Our weekly meetings are held in a conference room on campus.
Back to Top
Although your professors and classmates might say "Theta Tau," rhyming
the "Tau" with "cow" or "now," it should be pronounced
so that it rhymes with "law."
Back to Top
Our advisor is Jim Brock, the Director of Engineering
Development, who is a founding member of Lambda Beta Chapter of Theta Tau.
Back to Top
We have financial obligations that consist of $75 per member to the national
office along with various fees to fund our social and professional activities.
We have historically kept our total dues between $200 and $250 per semester,
which is much less than most fraternities and sororities.
Back to Top
You must pay dues until you graduate and become an alumnus. Although you pay
dues as a student, after graduation your financial obligation ends. However,
we gladly accept donations from our wonderful alumni. You are encouraged to
join a local alumni association, where you will continue to be involved with
Theta Tau.
Back to Top
Absolutely! Members of Theta Tau have classes, as do other students. Since many
members wear Theta Tau paraphernalia, including hats, jackets, jerseys, and
t-shirts, it is usually easy to spot us.
Back to Top
Once you are initiated as a member of Theta Tau, membership is for life. It
is very important to understand that commitment to Theta Tau does not end upon
graduation. Many alumni serve as advisors to the local chapters near their residence.
Back to Top