Parents and Students

Your son’s decision to join Phi Chapter of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity begins a lifelong experience, and we are pleased that he is a part of our circle. Our Fraternity is grounded in timeless values and principles, and as an organization, we challenge our members to set the standard in the greek community through learning, leading and serving.

Phi Kappa Tau members make a difference on their campuses and in their communities because of the wonderful support they receive from their parents. A parent’s job never stops, and we know how important it is to stay involved in your son’s choices and experiences. We invite you to be part of your son’s fraternity experience—even if it just means that you ask questions or considering volunteering your time. We know our mission is a team effort.

Fraternity life, when focused properly, is very much about brotherhood, leadership development, fun, and positive experiences that will add value and enhance the academic experience. On behalf of all our members, we are proud that your son is a part of our brotherhood, and we hope he will always take advantage of all that Phi Chapter has to offer.

Being a brother of Phi Kappa Tau is a life-long, life-altering experience. Phi Kappa Tau is more than Phi Chapter, and Phi Chapter is more than the current undergraduates; this is what makes our fraternity so special. From the first day of Association into Phi-Tau, you become part of something truly great. Being a brother is a huge commitment, one that is well worth everything put into it. Stop by the house, meet us at the cafe, or talk to us in class. We’ll be more than willing to let you know what it means to be a brother of Phi Chapter of Phi Kappa Tau.

Phi Tau holds “Rush” parties year-round. This is a chance for those interested in Phi Tau, and Greek Life in general, to come up and meet the brothers and begin to understand what this chapter has to offer. At the beginning of every semester, “Formal Rush” week is held. (Freshmen: Spring Semester ONLY). This is when men who are interested in joining Phi Tau formally express their intent to join and can be offered a “Bid” to join the chapter (if they qualify according to the requirements below). This is followed up by a “Membership Orientation Process” that lasts from 6-8 weeks. The “Membership Orientation Process” is a set of activities that teach the “Associate Members” everything there is to know about Phi Kappa Tau.

From the Phi Kappa Tau Constitution: Before initiation, a man must have attained, for a normal full-time load during the previous academic term, or an accumulative scholastic average, equivalent to a 2.00 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale).

A Chapter is a local group of a National Fraternity or Sorority. Local chapters are given a Greek Letter that corilates to what order it associated with the National organization. The first chapter is the Alpha Chapter, the second is Beta Chapter, etc… Bethany College’s Phi Kappa Tau Chapter was the 21st chapter, so it was given the name Phi Chapter, for the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. The term “Chapter” is also used to signify the weekly meeting of the Resident Council. “House” is also a synonym of “Chapter.”

“Nationals” refers to the governing officials of the Phi Kappa National Fraternity, located in Miami, Ohio.

The “Resident Council” of Phi Chapter is used to signify the group of active undergraduate members of the chapter.

Executive Council is the governing board of the Resident Council, and is made up of elected undergraduate members. “Exec” is short for “Executive Council.”

The “Graduate Council” of Phi Chapter is used to signify the group of non-active, alumni members of the chapter.

The “Board of Governors” is a subset of the Graduate Council, and is made up of alumni that guide the Resident Council.

The Harvard Red and Old Gold Club is a charitable educational foundation formed by a group of alumni of Phi Chapter (Bethany College) that offers the Resident Council financial assistance in funding educational projects they would not normally be able to undertake, and award leadership scholarships to outstanding students.

“Recruitment” is the common term used to describe the new-member recruitment procedure for Greek organizations at most colleges. It occurs towards the beginning of each semester, and is proceeded by New Member Orientation. “Recruitment” is the proper term for the slang term “Rush.” For more about Recruitment at Bethany College, see below.

“Associate Member” is the term for an undergraduate who has gone through the Recruitment process, has decided to join Phi Phi Kappa Tau, and is going through the Membership Orientation Process.

“Membership Orientation” is a 6-8 weeks process, consisting of a set of activities that teach the “Associate Members” everything there is to know about Phi Kappa Tau.

A “Neophyte” is an Associate Member who has completed the Membership Orientation Process, but has yet to be initiated as a brother of Phi Chapter.

Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, intentionally, regardless of location, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. The Phi Chapter of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity DOES NOT permit hazing during any of its activities. For more about Phi Chapter and Bethany College’s Policies on hazing, see below.

“Recruitment” is the common term used to describe the new-member recruitment procedure for Greek organizations at most colleges. The Bethany College Greek system follows ‘deferred recruitment’ policy. This means that no Freshman students are allowed to join a chapter until they have attended Bethany for at least one semester (i.e., Freshman may only join a chapter during the spring semester). Upperclassmen are allowed to join a chapter either semester. In either case, students must be in good standing with the College in order to join a Fraternity or Sorority. Students are required to have at least a 2.00 GPA in order to be considered eligible. Many of Bethany’s Greek organizations have higher GPA requirements. The Office of Student Affairs reserves the right to deny any student entrance to a chapter for academic or disciplinary reasons.

Formal recruitment takes place at the beginning of the spring semester. Provided that they meet the requirements stated above, all independent men and women wishing to join a chapter may participate. The specific rules and procedures regarding recruitment are set by both the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council, respectively. These rules are on file at with the Office of Student Affairs and are available to all students upon request. All students interested in joining a chapter are invited to bring any questions or concerns they may have to the Office of Student Affairs. Greek life at a residential college can enhance many opportunities to students who choose to become affiliated with Greek organizations. “Recruitment” is a time when members of the Greek organization provide organized programs to explain and promote the benefits of Greek Life.

Six of Bethany’s Greek houses are located on campus property. With the exception of their day-to-day self-governance, they are residences run by the College. This means that all maintenance, safety, and security issues fall under the jurisdiction of Bethany College. In the eyes of the College, two key chapter members are considered as the primary contacts for housing issues: the Chapter President and the House Manager. The Chapter President is considered the official spokesperson for the house on all issues,with the exception of the House Manager, who is seen as the primary contact person for any housing or maintenance issues.

Phi chapter has 3 governing boards that conduct business specific to Phi Kappa Tau at Bethany College. The Executive Board of the Resident Council is a board of active undergraduates that organize and plan the day-to-day activities of Phi Chapter. The Executive Board of the Graduate Council is the alumni board of the chapter, and deals mostly with alumni, and their involvement with the chapter. The Board of Governors (BOG) is a subset of the Graduate Council, and is made up of alumni that guide the Resident Council (Undergraduates).

From the Bethany College web site: No chapter, colony student, or alumni shall conduct or condone hazing activities. Hazing activities defined as any action taken or situation created, intentionally, regardless of location, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical or psychological shocks; treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, or road trips or any such activities carried on; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual, or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution or applicable state law.

***Brothers of Phi Chapter authored West Virginia’s Anti-Hazing Policy for Greek Organizations.***