1930–31 Volume 55 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

VOLUME LV JHE SCROLL ^'''""''"'•' PHI DELTA THETAEditoricOne of the evils introduced into the fraternity system by the chapterhouse was improper financing. The difficulty was aggravated by thescheme of notes signed by undergraduates most of which were to be paidafter the men left college.These notes were breeders of trouble and if the statistics were availableit would be shown that a relatively small number of them have ever beenpaid. The spasmodic attempt to collect them, often done in a tactlessmanner, has caused a rift in chapter relationships. The chapter houseburden, therefore, has been assumed for the majority by a faithfulminority.So it is refreshing to read in this number of THE SCROLL of the planused by South Dakota Alpha to handle its chapter house affairs. Thisplan has merit in several directions. First, it provides for payment bythe individual at the time he is enjoying the benefits of the chapter house.He pays for as long a period as he does enjoy those benefits actively.Secondly, it keeps capital funds segregated and absolutely separate fromcurrent funds, so that it is impossible for them to go to the grocer orthe butcher or worse still for the payment of some grand social affair.Lastly, it removes the burden of payment from the man just after heleaves college and is trying to establish himself in his life's work. It alsotends to keep him closer to his chapter and makes him return to it moreoften because it removes any cause for embarrassment because of unpaidhouse notes.All of this is fine in theory you will say. It would not work at SouthDakota or anywhere else unless a rigid rule be enforced concerning paymentof all chapter bills. Under the able leadership of President B. V.Moore, Lambda Province has put itself upon a strictly cash basis and isbuilding into its chapters a tradition of paying its bills. No more constructivething has happened in the fraternity in recent years.Undergraduates have a great habit of deluding themselves about finances.Some chapters say that they cannot adopt such a plan because the presentburden is as heavy as they can stand. Yet they will unhesitatingly spendas much money as they would pay in a year by the South Dakota methodon one party. Their bills are larger than they would be if they did notpermit a certain number of deadbeats to live in their rooms and eat theirfood without paying. Those who do pay have to pay their own score andenough more to make up for the delinquency of the non-payers.[363]