Members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity have good reason to celebrate this weekend - three years after losing their national charter they will have it reinstated Saturday.
The fraternity had their charter revoked three years ago by the national chapter because of lack of members and finances. As a result, they lost their house at 330 N. Harrison Ave., but with their charter reinstated they will move back to their old domain next year.
The house was leased by their national organization to the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity after they lost the charter.
Chris Braverman, the fraternity’s vice president, said he is very proud of what they have accomplished.
“Saturday will be our founding day, even though (the fraternity) has been here before,” said Braverman, a business junior. “It’s a big reward for the work we’ve put in to be (re-approved) for a charter.
“It’s exciting to be a part of something that we have built from the ground up,” he said.
Without a national charter, members of the house are not recognized nationally as Delts, therefore, they did not receive funding from their organization.
Since the fraternity didn’t get kicked off campus by the university, they didn’t lose their seat in the Interfraternity Council, Braverman said. They have still been recognized by the MSU greek system, even after losing their charter.
Paul Mitchell, president of the Interfraternity Council, said the fraternity has been working hard to get back to the point where they are now.
“They have been doing everything right and are a model fraternity for the greek system,” Mitchell said. “They are one of the most active chapters right now when it comes to getting involved with philanthropies in the community.
“It’s great news for them and for the greek system that they got their charter back, they deserve it.”
James Greene, pledge educator for Delta Tau Delta, is the only active brother in the house because he transferred from Eastern Michigan University as a member.
When they get their charter back Saturday, all the initiated members will become active.
“There is a long tradition of Delts at this university, and we’re happy to bring it back,” the landscape architect junior said. “It’s totally different being an active chapter, it will be nice to establish traditions of our own.”
The soon-to-be-nationally recognized Delta Tau Delta fraternity members are living in a house at 526 Sunset Drive, but they are looking forward to moving into their new home next fall, Greene said.
The Tau Kappa Epsilon members living in the house now will be searching for a new residence for fall 2001.
“We see ourselves as leaders on the campus and we’re trying to keep that as one of our traditions,” Greene said. “We don’t want to be thrown into the stereotypical party fraternity mix, we have social events but we stand for a lot more than just partying.”
