Phi Delta Theta: A History of Brotherhood, Challenges, and Redefining Masculinity
Introduction
Phi Delta Theta is a college social fraternity and secret society founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, on December 26, 1848, and headquartered in Oxford, Ohio. As with many fraternities, Phi Delta Theta has faced both successes and challenges throughout its history. This article explores the fraternity's values, some of the challenges it has faced, and how it is working to redefine traditional notions of masculinity.
Core Principles and Values
The solution to many of the problems that fraternities face is not to be found in new technology, but rather in a focus on the three Cardinal Principles of Phi Delta Theta.
Hazing Allegations and Consequences
Like many fraternities, chapters of Phi Delta Theta have faced scrutiny regarding hazing practices. Details of hazing events have emerged, including instances where pledges were pressured into drinking large amounts of alcohol, taken blindfolded into the woods at night and made to locate one another, and punished with wall-sits or push-ups for incorrect answers to questions.
One specific incident involved new members being presented with a "wall of beer" on bid night, with the expectation that they would consume it all within thirty minutes. One member reportedly said in defense of the night, “When I finished it, I wasn’t even drunk because I puked most of it up.” New members were also lined up facing a wall and made to recite the history of the fraternity, its members and the Greek alphabet. The questions were reportedly yelled, and if members gave three incorrect responses they had to do wall sits or pushups as punishment. “[I think] the wall night could have made others uncomfortable. It makes people feel like shit. They make you do it for about five weeks. If you don’t answer questions correctly, wall sits can last about 5-20 minutes,” one member was recorded saying. During a wall night, new members were asked to define what a “Big Brother” is (a term used to describe a mentor to a new member) and told that they were incorrect no matter what they answered. The members proceeded to turn around and find out who their Big Brothers were. “Most kids don’t finish it,” one fraternity member was recorded saying. “Some throw up, lots throw up because they are drinking them quickly. Nothing happens if they don’t finish. We are egging each other on, but they don’t get that drunk.
In one instance, the university began its hazing investigation after a new member of the local fraternity reported hazing to the school and University Police. The investigation concluded, and Phi Delta Theta took responsibility for all allegations against it. This resulted in a loss of recognition by the university until the end of the Spring Quarter.
The President of Phi Delta Theta was recorded as saying in reference to the hazing allegations as a whole, “We know that we have made a stupid mistake, and we have been talking about how we are going to change this in the future and build a healthier place for pledges". The official student conduct code violations Phi Delta Theta was found guilty of were bullying, alcohol and substance violations, hazing, and student and/or group offenses.
As required by Sam’s Law, EWU has had a hazing prevention committee consisting of students, a parent, and staff on campus. Sam’s Law was created after the untimely death of 19-year-old Washington State University student Sam Martinez in 2019. Martinez was told by a fraternity he was trying to join to drink a half gallon of rum, along with another pledge, in under a half hour. “It will take a whole campus approach to prevent hazing,” said Hughes. “We will need to see buy-in and support at all levels of the university and among staff, students and faculty.
Addressing Modern Challenges
College fraternities face a unique set of modern challenges. More students are attending college than ever before, but these students are increasingly focused on their careers and have less time for extracurricular activities. Due to increasing costs, more students are choosing to enroll in 2-year community colleges or online schools. Even the ones who are attending the traditional 4-year schools are struggling to make ends meet and often question the value of spending money for fraternity dues. College and university administrations and the federal government are focusing more than ever on issues of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and just plain sexism. Generally speaking, concern over these issues leads to more attention on athletics and fraternities.
Redefining Masculinity
Contrary to popular belief, masculinity is not some biological trait. It is socially constructed and it is learned. In America, manhood is often defined as being tough, not showing emotion, and being confident and dominant in what we do. Former NFL player, motivational speaker and activist, Joe Ehrmann spells out what he calls the lies of masculinity: the Ball Field, the Bedroom, and the Billfold. Think about your early life. How often did you hear or feel that your status as a man was tied up in your athletic ability? Didn’t we often make fun of kids in school who weren’t as good at sports? As we got into middle school and high school, our worth as men was tied to our sexual appeal and abilities. Finally, in college and beyond, our value as men is often based on our earning ability. Ehrmann argues that these notions are myths that society, family, and peers drum into our heads from an early age.
Being a man is about being true to yourself. This includes being willing to show emotion. It includes being there to help someone in need. It includes living life with integrity. It includes being a genuine friend to people in your life.
Becoming the greatest version of yourself means not buying into the myths of masculinity. It means being able to be vulnerable and emotional if necessary and not allowing society or your peers dictate to you how you must act. So, how can we as members of Phi Delta Theta and leaders on campus and in the world show our value and change our reputations? By rejecting the myths of manhood we received growing up and by showing our brothers and the world what it means to be a real man.
Notable Alumni
Phi Delta Theta boasts a diverse and accomplished group of alumni, including:
- Benjamin Harrison: 23rd President of the United States
- Adlai Stevenson I: 23rd Vice President of the United States
- Dwight F. Davis: Washington University in St. Louis - founder of the Davis Cup tennis tournament
- Rich Brooks: Oregon State University, 1963 - head football coach, University of Oregon, and St. Louis Rams.
- Jason Simontacchi: San Jose State University, 1996 - MLB pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals
Other notable alumni include John R. Frederick W. John D. Santa J. John J. William G. T. K. Charles E. Don K. Price, Vanderbilt University, 1931 - political scientist and founding dean of the John F. Adam G. William F. F. John Y. William H. Charles W. William F. F. Ronald K. Hermon Scott, M.I.T. 1930 - founder of H.H. John H. Francis D. Earle C. Henry F. Charles D. James C. Milford K. Thomas J. Edward K. John C. William P. Henry V. Robert W. Alexander R. Skinker, Washington University in St. William M. Arthur S. John K. Louis R. Robert L. Arthur F. Leonard D. David E. Edward P. John S. William A. Edwin D. Bernard W. Leroy W. Adlai Stevenson I,23rd Vice President of the United StatesJohn W. John W. David F. Robert P. Adlai E. Geoffrey R. Forrest H. Joseph C. Roger D. John Y. Samuel H. Joseph B. Norman A. Thomas W. Warren E. Herman G. Arthur C. John T. Ragnvald A. Malcolm R. Hulett C. C. C. Joseph C. Harry P. Duncan U. James Z. Thomas W. J. Eugene D. James E. Thomas R. William F. Xenophon P. Wilfley, Washington University in St. Raymond E. William B. Charles G. Edward J. William G. James M. Robert J. Edwin R. Charles K. Burton L. James G. Francis M. James M. Andrew H. Thomas W. William M. Royal C. John L. Charles M. Robert C. Charles F. Martin A. Charles L. Frederick A. William B. James W. Dwight L. Paul G. Garner E. Albert L. Adlai E. Clark W. Frederick M. Francis E. Thomas B. John F. Thomas M. Warren W. Ralph W. William C. Richard R. J. T. O'Sullivan, U.C.
Phi Delta Theta at the University of Central Florida
After serving in the United States Marine Corps for five years, Brother Jacob Milich joined Phi Delta Theta in spring 2014 at the University of Central Florida. The next semester he was elected chapter president and immediately began expanding the chapter’s involvement and influence on campus. He worked to instill a chapter culture that valued campus leadership and encouraged members of his chapter to join IFC, Student Government, Knight-Thon and many other organizations on campus. As chapter president, Jacob led his chapter to receive a Gold Star for chapter excellence from Phi Delta Theta, an award the chapter had received only two times previously since its founding in 1981. On campus, Jacob served in many other leadership roles. He served as a Senator for the College of Business Administration in the Student Government Association. In addition, he served as the Chairman of the Elections and Appointments committee where he worked to ensure that student government was inclusive and that all students had a fair opportunity to be elected or appointed to student government positions. He was also the Chairman of the university’s Golden Rule Review Committee where he worked to update the student conduct rule book and student conduct system to ensure that all students and student organizations would be treated fairly when going through the student conduct process.
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