New Fraternity, Delta Sigma Phi, values culture, harmony

    Delta Sigma Phi is the newest addition to the National Interfraternity Council (NIC) that already has four notable fraternities here in GCSU which includes Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma and Pi Kappa Phi, respectively.
    GCSU is the last public school in Georgia to have a Delta Sigma Phi chapter. They are also in the process of becoming a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) just in time for Spring Rush 2006.
    Delta Sigma Phi is a national fraternity established in 1889 at the former City College of New York. They live by the philosophy “Better Men. Better Lives.” They also promote brotherhoods that live by the core values of: culture, harmony and friendship.
    John Beese, a business major, and Pendar Khosravi, a mass communication major, are both sophomores and among the founders of GCSU’s Delta Sigma Phi chapter.
    “We started originally as a bunch of guys just hanging out,” Khosravi said. “We felt that none of the fraternities really represented what we were all about, so we decided to start a new one.”
    Beese and Khosravi, along with some friends, researched fraternities in hopes of establishing one here at GCSU. They looked into many fraternities before deciding that Delta Sigma Phi was the best fit for their group.
    “Last school year was all about research. We started around January just looking into different national fraternities that might be interested in a chapter here,” Beese said. “Some of us had family members that were members of fraternities so we had a basic idea, but some of us didn’t know how to start one or what it was going to be like. To find a fraternity that suits our group and would willingly come down here took time.”
    Delta Sigma Phi was the most interested in what these 23 original members represented. A new chapter was then established after support and approval from the national council.
    Their national philanthropy is The March of Dimes. This chapter however, is hoping that they could do something within the Milledgeville area.
    Delta Sigma Phi members reassures that the establishment of this chapter was in no way founded because of rivalry or dislike of other fraternities.
    “It’s absolutely nothing against other fraternities,” Khosravi said. “It’s just that we felt that our group was just different from what they have.”
    “We’ve introduced ourselves to every fraternity,” Beese added. “They have been very supportive in our efforts to start Delta Sig, so we feel good about being a member of the fraternity council here at GCSU.”
    They hope to have some rushees this semester although it will be very selective. Most of the members are sophomores and were close friends even before the new fraternity arrived on campus. And like all Greeks on campus, they will have guidelines and requirements for participation based on academic success, community service hours, and conduct among other things.
    “With Spring Rush we have more time getting to know people and getting the word out,” Khosravi said. “It shouldn’t be a problem.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 15 2006. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry