Lambda Chi has been at UT since 1917 and has been highly successful over the years. We went through a relatively small, low-profile period at UT in the 2000’s, but that’s now over. In Fall 2010, we decided to focus on improving the size and organization of our chapter. We've since grown from 20 members to 90, improved our academic performance, intramural programs, campus involvement, philanthropic activities, and participation in Greek and community events. In short, we're doing our best to improve in every meaningful way. By the end of this year we expect to be between 110-125 actives. We’re being careful to ensure that we grow intelligently, and are planning with the long-term in mind.
Though our current house at 715 Graham is well-located in the heart of West campus, it won't be our permanent home. We expect to either expand into a second location or a single larger house in 2014. Regardless of our location, we strongly believe a great house does not make a great fraternity; great people doing great things together make a great fraternity. That’s our ultimate goal.
Lambda Chi is diverse—we don’t recruit people based upon socio-economic status, political party, ethnicity, etc. We’re looking for men of character who will add value to the fraternity, whether through academic performance, athletic ability, leadership, social skills, community outreach, or all of the above.
We have alumni in just about every field: producers to politicians; attorneys to accountants; engineers to athletes. With over 2,000 UT Lambda Chi initiates, and over 280,000 Lambda Chi initiates world-wide, you’ll have an opportunity to receive mentoring from brothers who understand whatever industry you hope to join.
The financial cost of being a new member in Lambda Chi is currently $1195 if paid up front. There are optional expenses like party favors or trips that run $25-250 per semester. Dues go towards the Lambda Chi Alpha general fraternity, our chapter house, intramural sports, brotherhood events, recruiting, parties, alumni reunions, and everything else we do throughout the year. It’s important to note that you join Lambda Chi for life, not for a semester, not for college—so join prepared to pay dues until you graduate, and ideally to continue supporting the chapter long after your college days are over.
If you haven’t spoken with your parents about joining a fraternity, please do so. They’ll be invited to several functions throughout the year, and their support can make a huge difference in your fraternity experience. If they have questions, feel free to pass them along.
Lambda Chi has two weekly meetings, each of which runs 1-2 hours. Chapter meetings are on Mondays, and Associate Member meetings are on Sundays. In addition, there are optional activities such as IM sports, social functions, and philanthropic activities. We hope people will participate in whatever they can, but your grades come first.
Lambda Chi does not condone or participate in hazing. If you’re into being treated like crap or enjoy being forced to do things you might regret later, this isn’t the right place for you. We firmly believe that we can bond with all of our brothers and become better men together without resorting to childish or dangerous mind-games.
A few people wondered if Lambda Chi tells members how to dress. Honestly, not often. We have one formal business meeting per month where coat and tie are appropriate, and at other meetings we ask members to wear collared shirts and to leave the gym shorts at home. Dress code at social functions depends on the function.
We’ve seen quite a few questions about the rush process at UT. There is no formal rush period for fraternities at Texas, so each one handles things differently.
As far as our Fall 2013 rush goes, from now until September 15th, we'll offer a variety of ways that men can meet with us and participate in our normal activities, the purpose being to see what it's like to be in the fraternity and to get to know us. There are roughly 100 people we currently consider candidates for our Fall class, with more requesting information daily. We’d like to end up with 35-45 men in the class, which will mean that some people we genuinely like will not be a part of Lambda Chi.
Please be sure to let Robert Lee, our recruitment chair, know if you’re interested in being one of our candidates. And if you decide that some other fraternity is a better fit, or that you’re not interested this semester, we’ll understand and wish you well—we just ask that you let us know, so we can shift our Fall attention elsewhere.
When we offer someone a bid, it's a written offer to join the fraternity, with no immediate pressure to say yes. If you haven’t received a bid yet, and hoped to, please let Robert know. We aren’t mind-readers, and sometimes we think a good guy simply isn’t interested and fail to extend an offer.
Our Fall rush will close on September 15th, and our Fall class will be formally associated that night. The association ceremony is open to friends and family, so if you are extended a bid to join and choose to accept, be sure to let us know if you have any guests you’d like to invite.