A fraternity that once housed familiar names, now scattered on buildings around campus, hit financial rock bottom last year and has spent Fall Quarter boosting low morale and decreased membership.
The Ohio University chapter of Phi Delta Theta, whose alumni include Vernon R. Alden, Charles G. O'Bleness and Arthur C. Johnson, experienced problems that led to a $4,000 debt last year.
A fraternity is a brotherhood
and that pretty much fell apart said Jon Daniele, president of the OU chapter of Phi Delta Theta. We had a lot of people who didn't really feel that they were a part of a fraternity.
At the end of Spring Quarter, Phi Delta Theta had 21 active members, Daniele said. Over the summer, the fraternity was reduced to practically nothing.
Members stopped caring about the fraternity and no longer felt responsible for their dues, which created problems that carried over to Fall Quarter, said Rob Stanfield, vice president of Phi Delta Theta at OU.
To alleviate some of the financial burden, the fraternity is planning a cornhole tournament, which will include two or three live bands, a DJ and food vendors on South Green near the Front Four on Nov. 4, Stanfield said. The fraternity is trying to get sponsors and donations for the event, for which they expect a good turnout.
While the event is designed to be a fundraiser, the fraternity also hopes to get its name publicized for new members, Stanfield said.
Through fundraisers and dues, the fraternity reduced its $4,000 debt to $2,500, Daniele said. Membership is back up to six active members, one transfer from Akron University and three new members, Daniele said.
Insurance bills are due in the fall, Daniele said, but the members cannot pay the money up front in fall. To keep up with the debt, the fraternity needs to collect dues for the next bill a year ahead of time, he said. The Delts were never able to raise the money in advance, Daniele said. He added that the insurance bill for this fall is already paid.
Last year, however, a small group of Phi Delta Theta alumni came forward to help pay some of its insurance bills, Daniele said. Now, the fraternity is trying to pay the rest of its bills and restore membership, he said.
Right now, Phi Delta Theta does not own a house, Daniele said, but at its current rate of overhaul, it could own one within seven years.
Phi Delta Theta's history and tradition will attract new members, Daniele said.
It helps them identify with the chapter and develop a sense of respect for what they've joined
he said.
The first Phi Delta Theta chapter was formed at Miami University in 1848, and the OU chapter is the third chapter formed in Ohio, he said. It was the third fraternity formed at OU and was the first to own a house, which was once located where the Bentley Annex stands.
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