Walking back from Westwood with a friend a little over a year ago, I was surprised when a confused-looking guy in his 20s approached me. A Canadian visiting Los Angeles was looking for what he described to be a typical American frat party.
Since it was only around 9 p.m., I wasn’t sure where to direct him, but the memory has stuck with me as a laughable occasion based on a long-standing stereotype.
When I found out that a group of second-years were planning on rechartering the fraternity Theta Xi here at UCLA, with the intention of founding it upon an idea of higher standards, I was skeptical. I was surprised they felt the need to open another fraternity: Weren’t the current Greek houses enough? How did they plan on being a house different than the rest?
In talking with Dane Nightingale, a founder of the rechartered Theta Xi and second-year international development studies student, I gained insight about Theta Xi’s plan.
The founders of Theta Xi want the fraternity to live by the motto “all true men,” which includes higher GPA standards, an expansion of philanthropic work, a zero-tolerance policy for hazing and the name of “associate” rather than “pledge” for prospective members.
Nightingale and the fellow founders hope this will initiate equality within the house. It’s refreshing to see students excited about welcoming others instead of engaging in immature and dangerous stunts to make pledges prove themselves. To some, perhaps this means drinking to the verge of alcohol poisoning, but for those who view it as something different, Theta Xi offers a change.
Theta Xi has had an important legacy here at UCLA since it was chartered in April 1928. The house closed in 2005 because of numerous violations to the Theta Xi national standards. The house is currently located between Phi Kappa Psi and the University Catholic Center on Gayley Avenue. Theta Xi National still owns the house, but it is being leased out to tenants.
Nightingale and his fellow brothers hope to live in the house in the fall with the stipulation that 35 to 39 other brothers would be willing to as well.
The initiatives along with innovative ideas about the house will comprise the new Theta Xi. One of the most intriguing initiatives is the plan for the house to go green, which would entail planting a vegetable garden and orchard in the backyard. The produce from this garden would be used in house meals. Though the visual produced by the thought of fraternity brothers tending to a backyard garden is striking, Nightingale and the brothers are at least aiming high.
“We want Theta Xi to be a poster child for what a big house like that can do in terms of sustainability,” Nightingale said.
The response from the UCLA Greek community has been positive so far. “The more houses that are filled and functioning on Greek row, the better,” said Ryan Stancil, current vice president of the neighboring fraternity Phi Kappa Psi.
Though fraternity life commonly stirs images of binge drinking and keg stands, every fraternity is different and can provide different opportunities for prospective members. The changes Theta Xi has planned, similar to Pi Kappa Phi’s motto “men of class,” attempts to do away with this stereotype. Nightingale realistically understands the stigma that comes with membership in a fraternity but hopes Theta Xi will continue receiving positive support that focuses more on their innovative ideas, rather than alcohol-related topics.
As of now the brothers have no plans for recruitment until fall 2008. During their first pledge period, it will be interesting to see whether the turnout for their events has attracted a new type of guy to Greek life or if more students find a house that fits. Social chair of Sigma Pi and third-year sociology student Sam Cortina is happy about the re-edition.
“The rechartering of more chapters at UCLA is essentially a positive event for the Greek system as a whole. … It will only allow more people to break the stereotypes of fraternities misrepresented by popular culture and to enjoy the wonderful tradition and benefits of being in a fraternity,” Cortina said.
Regardless of current stereotypes, the innovative founders are headed in a promising new direction with Theta Xi. Though their ideas could become stagnant in time, the group’s enthusiasm is striking and will be able to translate into a dynamic new fraternity on campus.
Excited about a new presence in Greek life? E-mail Mier at smier@media.ucla.edu. General comments can be sent to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.