Johns Hopkins University, best known nationally for its premier medical school, is also the home to an undergraduate college with a thriving greek scene, to which a new member will be acceding soon. The Interfraternity Council has just voted to recognize a new colony of Phi Delta Theta, which has accrued 31 men as founding brothers since beginning recruitment in December. Hopkins Coordinator for Greek Life Rob Turning saw the new colony as a catalyst rather than competition for existing groups: "Usually the introduction of a new group causes the numbers of all in Greek life to go up. The new group will challenge those with lower membership to step up and improve," and an op-ed piece by the student newspaper gave its guarded support.
The guiding force has been sophomore Justin Eric Shen, who has spearheaded the effort to bring in PDT, since Hopkins prohibits national fraternities from instigating expansion on its campus. PDT sees its offerings as distinct from other fraternities: a nationally dry organization, emphasis on academics, and college leadership. The national Director for Expansion, Dustin Struble, also adverted to their values of "friendship, sound learning and rectitude."
"Sound learning"? As opposed to unsound learning? Rectitude? As in, straightness? (One assumes they refer to moral rectitude.) Every fraternity needs lofty principles, but these are bit outré.
Mr Turning also noted that "PDT also does a really good job with alumni networking and their use of technology. They even have a Facebook application to search for all members at all chapters." (Better living through Facebook: the new fraternity paradigm.) If he sounds more like an proponent for PDT rather than a neutral university overseer, he may forgiven: he is a proud PDT alumnus. The chances for Mr Shen's success with the colony look bright indeed.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment