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TKE History
Declaration of
Principles
Famous Alumni
FAQ
Symbols
Mini TKE Guide
Xi-Iota History
Founding
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Tau Kappa Epsilon -
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I join a fraternity?
Belonging to a fraternity offers many advantages. We realize that your first purpose for coming to college
is to obtain an education. We also realize that a college education encompasses more than academics and
that the ability to deal and live with people is a demand that will be made on you for the rest of your
life. As a well rounded man you must merge a solid academic background with intellectual and social
maturity, and with confidence in yourself to deal with the problems that will face you in later years.
TKE is the most unique fraternity at the University of Central Florida in that we provide an environment
that will encourage you to strive for academic excellence, while at the same time discovering new social
horizons in a variety of campus settings. Our fraternity is involved in enhancing scholastic achievement,
hosting social events, developing men into tomorrow's leaders, participating in sporting events, and much
more. A fraternity gets you involved, which helps you to develop different skills. It also allows you to
develop contacts with other students, and a variety of alumni involved in all areas of the business world.
People join organizations for different reasons. Most of our members joined Tau Kappa Epsilon
because they enjoyed the events, liked the people they met, and felt that our chapter had the best to offer
them at George Mason University. You will also become part of a larger network of over 300 chapters and
200,000 members across North America.
What makes TKE different from other fraternities?
Since our founding in 1899, Tau Kappa Epsilon has always seen itself as different from other social
fraternities. This perception has led TKE to become the
world's largest international fraternity. Our founders felt that fraternities had degenerated from institutions
of scholarly attainment to mere social clubs. Our founders started an organization "whose avowed purpose was to aid
college men in mental, moral, and social development," and that is a mission we have not strayed from. Our mission
is no different than it was in 1899 and the challenge is no less intimidating. Building better men is what TKE
has always been about. For nearly 100 years, Tau Kappa Epsilon has been building better men. Taking young men
and building them into young leaders. Leaders who are prepared to face the world complete with a set of values and beliefs
that add a distinctive advantage to a man's efforts throughout his life. We have always based our membership "not for wealth,
rank, or honor, but for personal worth and character." One only needs to read The Declaration
of Principles to understand what Tau Kappa Epsilon stands for.
How long will I be a pledge?
The word "pledge" and all the unflattering remarks which accompany it does not exist within Tau Kappa
Epsilon new member education program is based on a "no pledgeship and no hazing" commitment. Every
fraternity will claim that they do not haze, but TKE was the first fraternity to implement a new
member program that replaces senseless tasks with educational and inspirational programming. The
Apollo Program is the name of Tau Kappa Epsilon's
new member system. It is a six week program which teaches new members about the history of the Greek system,
the history of TKE, the history of MU Omega Chapter, and how they fit into this system. It allows
young men to become young leaders through motivational and instructional programs and activities. The Apollo
Program gets you on your way to success and facets of it will continue with you for the rest of your life.
Do you guys party all the time?
Because Tau Kappa Epsilon is a "social" fraternity many people have taken that to mean simply
"partying." Part of becoming a socially mature adult involves interaction with those around you, and TKE
holds several social events throughout the course of the school year to aid in that development. You don't have
to belong to a fraternity to party, but the risk you take by mixing people in unfamiliar and uncontrolled
environments can be costly. The rumors that you have heard or clips from Animal House simply do not
exist within our chapter. We follow specific Risk Management guidelines which are designed to allow everyone
to have fun, but without any unfortunate side effects. TKE has created a social fraternity that
defines "social" not simply as parties and celebration, but rather one in which celebrations and parties are the
rewards for our successes. We hold several dances and formal events which have taken Teke's and their dates
from riverboat cruises to roaring bonfires. Each social event we hold optimizes enjoyment and reduces risk.
What do you do for community service? Do I have to do it?
Philanthropy is one activity that TKE has always been heavily involved in. Our national philanthropic
organization is the Special Olympics and last year alone TKE contributed more than $75,000 and
hundreds of volunteer hours to the organization. At the University of Central Florida, TKE tries to co-ordinate
events around the Fall and Spring holiday season. This seems to be the most active philanthropic time of the year and everyone
is interested in helping out. This next year we plan on participating in either setting-up a Rock 'n Roll concert,
or another such noteworthy event.
What kind of leadership positions are available to freshmen?
Because new members in Tau Kappa Epsilon do not spend most of their freshman year as pledges,
who are unable to get involved directly within the chapter, they are able to get a head start on leadership
experience. Each year TKE holds Regional Leadership Conferences and the TKE Leadership
Academy which are both designed to teach more effective leadership methods. From the very beginning, TKE
teaches it members to be leaders and not followers. Typically freshman choose committee chairs to begin their
leadership role in the chapter. Because members are always considered on an equal level with all other fraters
they are able to jump right into a position that they feel they can succeed the most at. There will also be
officer positions that will open up to you as a freshman before your first semester is over. TKE is
actively involved in the Interfraternity Council and you will have the chance to obtain a directorship that
would begin during your second semester. Why wait a year to begin on your road to success when you can begin
today in Tau Kappa Epsilon? College offers you a clean slate in life, so why not get a jump on the
competition while they're still scrubbing floors!
Will the fraternity take up a lot of my time?
Time management means something different when you get to college than it did in high school. You now have so
much available time on your hands that you can either use it or waste it. TKE's new member program
not only teaches you how to manage that time, but also how to get the most out of every day. As with any
organization you will get out of it what you put into it, and the rewards will vary depending on the drive that
you have. Our goal is to make you a better man. The time you spend perfecting that goal will not be taking up
time, but will instead be the most important time you've ever spent.
Do you have a test file?
In addition to a large collection of old exams and class syllabi, TKE works through various tutoring
programs on campus, sets up studying sessions, sets minimum grade standards, and our b Brother Program helps
new members to adjust to the academic environment. We also have in-chapter book exchanges and access to other
test files on campus.
My parents don't want me to join a fraternity. What if I just didn't tell them?
Sometimes parents believe that fraternity life revolves only around beer, women, and hazing, and unfortunately
some fraternities cannot offer much more than that to you. TKE takes a lot of time to keep parents
informed about what things will be like in the chapter and how they can make the Teke Experience more rewarding.
Some students find this a strange idea at first, but you should talk with your parents about which fraternities
you are interested, what kinds of opportunities they have to offer, and what kinds of questions you need to ask
of each fraternity. This will definitely show how seriously and responsibly you are making this decision process.
How much does it cost to join?
In addition to having the lowest dues of any fraternity on campus TKE also has a very low fee for joining
the fraternity. All initial costs go to the International Headquarters who provides the Apollo Program materials,
membership card and certificate, the Teke Guide which is the Fraternity's membership manual containing the
history, organization, ideals, and a detailed explanation of programs and traditions of our fraternity. This fee
also provides you with membership fees, liability insurance, a TKE Calling Card, a subscription to
TKE Today which is the official publication of the Fraternity, and of course the highly prized
Badge of TKE which signifies your membership within the Fraternity. The total cost to join Tau Kappa
Epsilon is $300 and this will be the only required payment for new members. New members are exempt from any
other active fees or charges for the duration of their Associate membership.
What intramural sports do you do?
TKE is actively involved in every aspect of intramural sports from basketball to ping pong. Annually TKE
competes in over 10+ intramural sports on campus, as well as being the 1st ranked B league basketball team. We allow every member
to play on whatever team whenever they want to without having to wait until there is room for them. Playing sports is
a great way to relieve stress and to keep in shape.
Do you pair with sororities?
Since we are in a rebuilding year we have devoted alot of time and resources to mixers, bus rides and parties with sororities and
fraternities on campus. If you would like to learn more about these events please check out our Social Calendar.
What is your brotherhood like?
TKE is unique among fraternities in many respects and one such difference is the importance we place on
building brotherhood within the chapter. We have been able to avoid rifts and cliques that often
develop between pledge classes because our new member program treats every member on an equal basis right from the start.
The elimination of pledgeship and hazing within TKE strenghthens our brotherhood because resentment and the
sense of inferiority is never present. TKE believes that there is no point in a man's life more important
than his college years. Growth in a non-hazing and no pledgeship environment will allow him to overcome the challenges he
faces with the support from those around him. TKE believes that brotherhood is a journey, not a destination.
Brotherhood involves more than just social events and TKE holds monthly brotherhood events like indoor soccer,
paint ball, retreats, brotherhood nights, and much more. During the summer TKE holds cook outs, boating parties,
and the always challenging TKE Survival Weekend. Each member has their own definition of brotherhood, but each
revolves around the three guiding principles of our fraternity.
"We believe that the essential elements of true brotherhood are
love, charity, and esteem; love that binds our hearts with the study cords
of fraternal affection; charity, that is impulsive to see the virtues in a
brother and slow to reprove his faults; esteem, that is respectful to the
honest convictions of others and that refrains from treading upon that
which is sacred to spirit and conscience; these are the triple obligations
of every brother in the bond."
Our challenge as brothers is to live up to these guiding principles and our strong belief in them has created a strong
sense of brotherhood that over 200,000 men just like you have shared since 1899. College is only temporary, but Brotherhood
is forever.
How active are you on campus?
As we continue to build-up our chapter on campus, our envolvement on campus continues to grow. We are very active in intramural sports and we are
planning several philanthropic events in the coming months. Please stay tuned as for more information.
I heard that XYZ hazes! Is that true?
Unfortunately hazing is something that still does occur within the Greek system. Even though every national fraternity has
banned hazing some individual chapters have continued this barbaric and just plain stupid practice. It may make you wonder
how much you can believe the promises some fraternities may make to you. Hazing ranges from alcohol related, physical,
emotional, and psychological torment as a condition for membership. You've never needed to undergo hazing to join any other
organization in your life so don't believe that you have to start now. The Greek system began as a way to improve the lives
of those who chose to join it, but sadly some fraternities have forgotten this important fact. The best defense against
joining an organization that may haze its new members it to ask a lot of questions about what is required of you to be
initiated. Find out how long the new member program will last, how much time will you be expected to commit, and has the
chapter ever been charged for hazing. The more vague or shady the answers the more you should be concerned about how
truthful they are being.
My dad was a Teke at another school. Do you honor legacies?
TKE is the Fraternity for Life and we take great care when legacies come to our attention. The values and ideals
that are passed to every member of TKE insures us that they understand that their sons should be considered
"not for wealth, rank, or honor, but for personal worth and character" just the same as every other potential new member.
To this measure we consider anyone who wants "the choice to belong" to Tau Kappa Epsilon to be an unbiased process.
Legacies will still sit before the Membership Quality Board before a bid to join Tau Kappa Epsilon will be extended.
Interviews will be given throughout the year and legacies interested in the chapter should contact us to set up an interview.
Alumni members will understand this policy based on our belief that "We maintain that exclusiveness is the direct antithesis of
a true fraternity" and we must include any man who wishes to accept "the challenge to become."
I'm worried about my grades. What can your chapter do to help me in school?
The academic success you make in your first few semesters at college will largely limit or expand your future options. It's
always easier to maintain a GPA than to raise one. TKE provides academic support from the very start with the
Apollo Program, your b Brother, Chapter and Academic Advisors, Scholarship Chairmen, Chapter Educator, tutoring services, and
much more. Along with all the adjustments you'll be making during your first few months at college the last thing you want to
worry about is poor academic performance. If you want to know where TKE is going then look at where it's been.
The '98 spring semester, the Xi Iota chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon had the second highest GPA, and the highest GPA for our New
Members amoung fraternity's. We are always working on ways to enchance our members grades through study hours and general counseling.
We are currently planning on a more rigourous plan to help new members and associate members through their first year at college
and in a fraternity. As our discussion and voting continue, we will post the results here.
Do you get a lot of support from alumni?
Part of belonging to the Fraternity for Life means continued support even after your undergraduate years are over. We publish
an alumni newsletter, hold alumni events, and use alumni contacts to help graduating fraters obtain job interviews. Xi Iota
has been at UCF for over 25 years, and although cannot possibly maintain personal contact with every alumni member we still
get a lot of needed support. Our Board of Advisors is made up of Xi Iota alumni as well as other fraters who have chosen our
chapter as their focal point for alumni support. To be honest, we don't get millions of dollars willed to us for renovations,
we don't spend contributions just on parties, and we're not looking for alumni to spend our obstacles away. We have always
valued the time and effort that alumni provide more than the money they give. TKE teaches its members that the only
price Brotherhood has is dedication. Alumni offer everyone from our newest members to our graduating seniors support in every
area from finding a job to recounting how they made the most out of their undergraduate years in TKE. The support
that our alumni give every year is immeasureable.
What is the Apollo Project?
The Apollo Project is TKE's innovative and exciting new member education program. TKE
alumni and undergraduate mentors will guide you down your "Pathway to Apollo" as you learn more about what it means to be a
man...and the challenge that accompanies that responsibility. The TKE mythological ideal, Apollo, has served as an
example for over 200,000 Tekes since our founding in 1899. Today more than ever, the TKE Apollo odeal provides young
men with an opportunity to learn and grow in an environment of "love, charity, and esteem," the three essential elements of true
brotherhood in Tau Kappa Epsilon. The Apollo Man serves as a model and as a guide for you during your TKE
undergraduate experience, and throughout your lifetime. It establishes a code of conduct for your behavior and actions; it provides
you with an appropriate understanding of your relationship with your fellow man; and with women; it establishes a model of academic
excellence, and of physical and mental health. The Apollo Project takes young men and turns them into leaders, and the world of
tommorrow will need leaders not followers.
What are your membership standards?
If you are selected to receive an invitation to join our great Fraternity, you can do so knowing that our chapter members have
applied an extensive set of criteria to your selection, and you'll know that they believe that you have what it takes to live up
to our standard. We base certain membership criteria on your past experiences and how you have already turned opportunities into
success. If you accept the challenge to become a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon you will be expected to maintain a minimum
GPA of 2.0, be involved on campus and within the chapter, perform 8 hours per semester of community service, to meet your financial
obligations, and to live up to the ideals of Tau Kappa Epsilon. Our biggest standard is the standard of success that
over 200,000 since 1899, have lived up to. It is our goal to provide you with the opportunity, assistance, and support that will
see you through the most important years of your life, and on to your most successful ones.
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