Lambda Chi Alpha was founded in 1909 by Warren A. Cole at Boston University. Since then, it has grown explosively to become one of the largest men’s fraternities in North America, with more than 258,000 initiated members and over 200 active chapters at colleges and universities. Our chapter, designated as the Alpha-Mu Zeta, was chartered in 1917 at the University of Texas at Austin.
Our House
Our chapter house is located in West Campus. The house serves as a residence for many of our members, as well as a venue for many of the fraternity’s events and activities. It is conveniently located near the West Campus (WC) bus stop that members use to get to class. Many members choose to live in the house multiple years for its convenience and social atmosphere, and because it is much less expensive than typical West Campus apartment prices.
Traditions
Lambda Chi Alpha is big on traditions. Many of our activities have been ongoing for many years or even decades. Among them is our annual Red River Shootout trip. Every October, the brothers and our guests head up to Dallas in a chartered bus for the Texas vs. OU football game at the Cotton Bowl, joining one of the largest crowds of Burnt Orange to be found outside of Austin. An annual “bash” known as 11/11 (among other names) is another tradition of ours, with many of our alumni coming from all over the nation to attend the event every November. The North American Food Drive is our best-known philanthropic effort, taking place in early November and benefiting the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. Finally, many guests have lauded the Spring Luau as one of the most entertaining events they’ve ever been to.
Scholarship
Education is the whole reason you’re here in the first place, and Lambda Chi Alpha doesn’t forget that. Even with all these activities going on, every member is encouraged to make sure he has time to excel in his studies. While time management skills are helpful in school, they are essential for a member of Lambda Chi Alpha. Our High Sigma, the scholastic officer, is dedicated to assisting members in maintaining an exceptional level of academic performance.
Associate Member Program
Since its inception Lambda Chi Alpha has always taken a strong stand against hazing. In the 1970’s Lambda Chi Alpha was the first college fraternity to end the practice of pledgeship, replacing it with the associate member program; since then many other fraternities have followed suit. Associate membership is more than just a name-change, however. Instead of being isolated from the rest of the chapter (by having separate pledge class meetings, pledge class officers, pledge class tasks, and so forth), the associate member program seeks to integrate each new member into the operation of the chapter as soon as he joins. An associate member is even permitted to serve as an officer in any office for which he is qualified (the High Phi being a notable exception).