Founding Fathers

Rather than adapt to a culture that does not align with your beliefs, you have the freedom and responsibility to help shape the direction of a new chapter on campus. You have the ability to build your own positive experience and leave a legacy for those who will become members in the years after you graduate. Immediate leadership opportunities exist and are available for all members instead of having to wait two or three years. Becoming a founding father provides the chance to help bring positive change to the entire Greek community on your campus through living the values of Beta Theta Pi.

Interested in learning more about the founding father experience? Request more information on a chapter near you.

It depends on your role in the Fraternity. If you are the president or an executive officer, you will have different responsibilities than a committee member. Either way, members can expect to invest at least five hours each week in Beta Theta Pi.

The founding father process does require effort and time, but being involved on campus outside the Fraternity is equally important as part of being a Beta. In fact, our members are encouraged to be involved with other campus activities and university initiatives each year.

Beta Theta Pi is the only fraternity to dedicate a full-time development consultant to each of its newly established chapters. For the first academic year, a team of trained Beta staff members will be on campus to oversee the recruitment, education and training of new members. Plus, each chapter has a local volunteer advisory team that has completed General Fraternity advisor training and will support the chapter as mentors and coaches. Regularly scheduled visits by a Beta staff member continue every year going forward.

Select a campus from the list of current expansions above to see the staff providing support on site, or visit the staff directory to meet the entire team.

Founding fathers make a lasting impact on their campuses past the four years they are there. Over the years, all have looked back and were proud of the leaders they’ve become and of how they shaped the chapter’s culture for future brothers. Hear testimonies from previous founding father can be found here.

We understand there is a financial investment in becoming a founding father, but we do not want money to be the reason you miss this opportunity. The Beta Theta Pi Foundation offers more than $100,000 annually in scholarships ranging from $250 to $2,500. Further, payment plans can be established over a period of time to ease any burden.

Fraternities are idealistic in nature. Internationally, many fraternities – including Beta – are dispelling these stereotypes through high-quality leadership programming and positive, culture-changing initiatives. You can be a part of eliminating that stereotype by creating the exemplary fraternity on campus, while forming friendships and bonds that will last throughout your life.

It is understandable for parents and guardians to be concerned about joining a fraternity, even if it isn’t Beta, given the stereotypes portrayed in the media. However, research shows the positive impact fraternities have on college men, including stronger mental health and more confident leadership. As a founding fathers, you have the incredible opportunity to shape the culture of a young chapter and leave a legacy for generations of brothers to come.

Beta is committed to developing men of principle for a principled life by providing award-winning leadership programs to our members and ample resources to build a strong and inclusive brotherhood on your campus. We encourage you to share Beta’s resources as you continue conversations about joining the Fraternity with your parent or guardian.

Beta Theta Pi supports responsible behavior, and all members are expected to uphold local laws and university regulations. We also encourage self-governance and believe founding fathers will make decisions befitting of Beta Theta Pi.

Fulfill requirements as set by our Board of Trustees, including at least 40 men initiated, housing arrangements (if applicable), maintain financial stability, demonstrate academic excellence as a group and complete all requirements as set by the chartering committee of the General Convention. A charter petition must be prepared, voted and passed by the General Convention.

Beta Theta Pi is very intentional when assessing prospective campuses for new or restarted chapters. The Fraternity cannot afford to invest resources in failed projects. It is unfair to founding members if the organization is not fully supporting them. Our fraternity growth department is recommended or identified when it is slated for evaluation and analysis when a campus is recommended or identified. Specifically, Beta gathers information in the following areas:

1. Institution Quality
2. University Support
3. Alumni/Advisor Support
4. Campus Culture
5. Housing
6. Overall Timing

If the campus is deemed a plausible candidate after assessing the data and critical questions, a site visit is often the next step. There is tremendous value in speaking face to face with university administration, faculty and staff, potential members, area alumni and community members to determine if Beta and the host institution are a good fit.

After further discussion, a campus is approved or denied as an overall prospect for expansion. If approved, depending on the timeline, negotiations with the university begin. If multiple fraternities are interested in expanding, a presentation and selection process may occur to determine which fraternity will be asked to join the community. In other cases, such as a chapter closure, a timeline for return may be negotiated.

The entirety of this process may take months or even years. If you would like Beta to consider establishing at your institution, contact Director of Fraternity Growth Giancarlo Capolino, Sacred Heart ’22.

We believe life is about relationships. You will surround yourself with kind and intelligent people by “going Beta.” This organization is full of opportunity. It will enrich your life tremendously if you contribute and open yourself up to the experience.

Ready to “Go Beta”? Request information from a chapter near you.