Theta Chi for the Parental Eye


These are some common questions among parents of incoming members of ANY fraternity.
If you have further questions, please contact us at info@thetachiatthebeach.com

1)     What will Greek life offer my son that no other college group can?

It is an inarguable fact that a student’s crossing from high school or junior college to a university is one that is very much life changing for the average young man.  To go from a life of public education in a sheltered setting to a world that is nearly the opposite in terms of academic competition and survival outside of the home is a step that requires a great deal of adjustment and support from like-minded peers that have endured a similar experience.  The brothers of Theta Chi Fraternity (both alumnus and current active) can offer an incoming member all of the comforts in the world in terms of helpful advice and insight into how to adjust to college life as virtually all of our members are college students drawing from a wide range of majors and backgrounds on campus.

2)     How will my son benefit from joining a fraternity after college?

For all the friendships and experiences a chapter offers, a fraternity is also, in effect, a networking organization that spans well beyond a single college campus.  Theta Chi Fraternity is an International Fraternity and brotherhood with countless distinguished brothers holding high positions in major industries.  For your son to join a fraternity today effectively opens the gates to such corporate connections and offers the opportunity for him to advance his career through such contacts well after leaving college and entering their respective career field.  Once a male student becomes a member, they are considered part of a brotherhood that lasts for life, and as such will undoubtedly benefit from all the networking embedded within the brotherhood of Theta Chi along with lifelong friendships.

3)     Will there be any academic concerns if my son joins a fraternity?

Contrary to popular belief, fraternities are not all the ‘parties and pranks’ that many perceive it to be.  Greek members are reputed to consistently have higher GPA's among all university students.  Students will benefit by learning how to manage their time, learn new and effective study habits, and be involved and connected with their class, teacher, and overall campus.

                Founded by collegiate men and for collegiate men, Theta Chi prides itself in academic excellence, with the brothers of our chapter routinely taking time to assemble and host study sessions on a weekly basis as well as setting very high goals and rewards for brothers who exceed academically – such as our $300 scholarship given to a new member who earns the highest GPA within their first semester (aka "pledge semester") with Theta Chi Fraternity.  This is just one of many incentives offered to our members who strive and maintain high academics as a brother.

                Academics are considered the single highest priority in Theta Chi with every opportunity given to our members to put school first before any other social or fraternity related events.  Following our Maxim: 'Alma Mater First, and Theta Chi for Alma Mater' members benefit by learning time management skills as well as the best study habits.

4)     Define a philanthropy or service project

A philanthropy or service project can be any variation of community service or fundraising for a cause, generally of a needy cause.  It is an objective of Theta Chi to enhance and advance our community through various projects devoted to non-profit and needy causes.  It is a priority of Theta Chi fraternity to better ourselves as brothers and serve our community. 

               Our service includes both sponsoring our own events - such as sorority fundraising competitions, canned food drives, clothes drives, car-washes, and barbecues - but also include participation and support in sorority, other fraternity, and other campus organizations philanthropies.

5)     What are the costs of joining a fraternity?

               Every fraternity and sorority requires dues to be paid, Theta Chi is recognized and known to have one of the lowest if not the lowest on campus.  Although there are dues to be paid every semester, there are ways to waive these dues, or lower them significantly.

                It should be well noted and proven that every dollar invested by your son in Theta Chi is an investment into their future and potential opportunities that life therein.  For the first semester that a pledge/new member is in Theta Chi, the dues are exactly $365 in total – known to be one of the lowest, if not the lowest among fraternities and sororites at CSULB.  Theta Chi works extensively to provide various payment plans on a weekly or monthly basis (based on the needs and desires of the new members.  Opportunities to entirely waive this fee are offered to the new members via the $300 scholarship awarded to the new member with the highest GPA his pledge semester, as well as other scholarships offered semesterly by our National Headquarters and Local Alumni Association.

                After the first semester, a total of $350 is due from each active brother, with payment plans offered based on every brother's needs.  The dues pay for recognition of membership by the University and by our National Headquarters - which includes eligibility for scholarships and special programming provided by these entities.  The dues also provide for various academic, social, and fraternal events throughout the semester - and is by ABSOLUTELY NO MEANS to be used towards the purchase of alcohol.



6)      What is the core nature of a fraternity?

Although fraternities are social in nature (networking at its core), the general behavior and course of action conducted by a fraternity are stringently controlled by various self-enforced rules and guidelines, as well as strict regulations upheld and enforced by the campus’s very own Interfraternity Council (IFC) government.

Theta Chi extends such policies to its brothers via our own set of noted rules and regulations, mandated by Theta Chi Headquarters and observed by both the Alumni Association and Active Chapter's own Standard's Board.


7)     Does Theta Chi have an alcohol policy?                         

Although some fraternities freely permit drinking within their events, Theta Chi strictly adheres to rules and regulations set forth by both California State University, Long Beach and our National policy.  We have our own Code of Conduct specifically for our chapter which carries its own set of rewards and consequences for following regulations regarding the appropriate time, place and setting and use of alcohol among brothers.  Routine enforcement of such rules is conducted by the Executive Council, Standards Board, and Alumni Association.

8)     Is hazing involved?

Theta Chi strongly prohibits and discourages all forms of hazing within our fraternity.  Every University carries a dedicated and intense definition of hazing which applies to all students on campus.  Both the University and student government investigate all forms of reported hazing.  Theta Chi Fraternity at CSULB has not been reported or been known to haze in any way.

9)     What is a parent's position?

Theta Chi education is always key to gaining knowledge and insight into what a fraternity has to offer, with each one distinct and unique in what they can give and provide to every potential, as well as have specific preferences the type of young men they are trying to recruit.

Theta Chi is no exception to this, as we seek to recruit incoming young men who bear the drive, ambition, and inherent desires for success, self -improvement and compassion to help their fellow man and join a brotherhood that reflects upon them as much as they reflect upon it.  

10)     Famous Fraternity Members

Fraternity relations have very much been a part of American history, drawing back to some of the earliest U.S. Presidents holding memberships to a fraternity, as well as some of the country's most distinguished Senators, Congressmen, Supreme Court Justices, and various former and current leaders of Fortune 500 companies.
             
                 Theta Chi has a long list  notable alumnus brothers, one alumnus brother that should be noted from our chapter and CSULB is Steven Spielberg who was a part of our chapter at CSULB in the late 1960's.