1993 Volume 116 No 1–4 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

The 1990-92
Biennial Report
Phi Delta Theta continues to grow and
prosper in the 1990s
by Robert A. Biggs, executive vice president
Making strides
Phi Delta Theta International
Fratemity continues to prosper, and
the Cental Fratemity is making
gjreat strides to ensure a bright
future. In the past biennium, 6,338
individuals were initiated for a total
of more than 188,000 since our
Fraternity was founded in 1848 at
Miami University. We also have 184
active chapters and the prospects for
continued growth are encouraging.
The principal objectives of our
Fratemity as articulated in the Bond
are as relevant today as they were in
1848. These objectives, "tiie cultiAration
of friendship among its
members; the acquirement individuaUy
of a high standard of mental
culture, and the attainment personally
of a high standard of morality,"
continue to impact the mission and
purpose of every member and
chapter of Phi Delta Theta. It is
through these objectives that the
Fratemity volunteers and professional
staff serve the undergraduate
and aliunni members witha sense of
challenge and reward.
You can be proud of your
Fratemity knowing that Phi Delta
Theta continues to be a leader in the
ftatemity world. We are constantly
doing our best in order to ensure a
great fraternal experience that
provides the undergraduate
members with friendships and
leadership skills that will last a
lifetime. Indeed, the future is bright
for our Ratemity!
Chapter Services
A significant amount of time and
money is dedicated to providing
services and products to the
undergraduate members. Our
firont-line contact with the chapters
is our visitation program. Each
chapter receives at least one visit
each year fiom a General Headquarters
chapter consultant and usually
two visits a year are made by the
province president Approximately
85% of all chapters receive two or
more visits from a Headquarters
representative. A consultant visit
usually occurs over a three-day
period of time during which tliis
Brother interviews each chapter
officer, discussing responsibilities,
objectives, and new ideas. The
consultants employed by the Fraternity
receive extensive training and
have terrific support fiom the other
General Headquarters staff m^nbers.
The chapter services staff during the
past bieimium has been under the
direction of Norman E. Allen, Pacific
'88, and Abraham L. Cross, Tampa
'88. They have been assisted over the
past two years by Assistant Director
of Chapter Services Martin M. Taylor,
Marshall '89, Chapter Consultants
Conrad Thiede, Colgate '90, Lenis
Dawson, Franklin '90, Edward
Dunayevich, Cal. Riverside '90,
Charles Pride, Western Kentucky '89,
Kevin R. Dreiling, ViicMta '90, J. Marc
Hopper, McMaster '91, W. Patrick
Lay, Centre '91, Sean Keefer, South
Carolina '91, and Joseph Edward, New
Mexico '91.
Phi Delta Theta is a volunteerdriven
association. Our high position
in the interfratemity world would
not have been possible without the
dedication of our chapter advisers,
house corporation officers, aliunni
dub officers, province presidents,
and many other General Fratemity
volunteers. These individuals
contribute their time and energy to
the Fratemity, for which we are all
extremely grateful.
The 1990s have chaUenged aU
Greek organizations. We are currently
fadng a dedine in undergraduate
members. This "rush
recession" is the result of several
factors, induding fewer incoming
students, changing student demographics,
deferred rush, fionancial
constraints of rising higher education
costs, etc. However, Phi Delta
Theta has responded to this
challenge with the development of a
new marketing campaign, "The
Standard for Brotherhood," which
indudes new recruitment brochures,
workshop and seminar
materials, and two new videotapes.
We are very pleased writh this effort
and credit this new program to
David C. Slatton, Whitman '90, the
director of communications at
General Headquarters. Recent
statistics indicate that pledging was
up slightly fiom 1990-91 (total
4,027) to 1991-92 (total 4,035). The
number of initiates was also up
during the same period from 3,145
to 3,193. The initiation ratio of 79%
continues to receive dose attention
from members of the Headquarters
staff and Fratemity volunteers.
Membership recruitment remains a
top priority in Phi Delta Theta as it
is the lifeblood of our chapters. Our
future depends upon this very
important issue.
We are very pleased with the
w^ork of the Survey Commission as
12 new chapters were chartered this
past biennium. Phi IDelta Theta is
now represented at York University,
S.U JM.Y-Oneonta, Eastern Washington
University, the UniArersity of
Nevada-Las Vegas, Cameron
University, the University of North
Texas, Mississippi State University,
Portland State University, S.UJM. Y.-
Bu^do, Sam Houston State University,
Southeeist Missouri State
University, and Washington
CoUege. Our Fratemity also
returned to WiUamette University
and the University of Pittsburgh
during the past two years. The
Fratemity continues to grow weU
into the current biennium as new
chapters were established at
Carleton University in Ottawa,
Ontario, and we returned to
Northwestern University in
Evanston, Illinois, this past faU. All
alumni and undergraduates are
strongly encouraged to suggest
prospective campuses worthy of
92 TheScroU * Spring 1993