Omega Delta
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Omega Delta (ΩΔ) is a multi-cultural social fraternity founded in the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Alpha Chapter was established on January 19, 1997; the organization has since expanded to five chapters on five campuses in the state of Illinois. It is a member of the InterFraternal Council (IFC) at all the campuses it has a Chapter House.
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[edit] History
During the fall semester of 1996 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a group of friends decided that they would join a fraternity. An associate who was already a member of an existing organization, asked the men to unite with him and become a part of his fraternity. During the pledging process however, the group of friends felt that there was something missing and that they had made the wrong decision. The smaller fraternities on campus were ethnically divided and segregated from the larger Greek system. It was then that the men decided that their fraternity would open their arms to other cultures.
In order to establish this fraternity, the men sought the help of their Greek affiliated associate. After hearing the ideas of the group, he decided to take part in the greater venture of creating a new fraternity with the group. Renouncing his affiliation with his previous organization, the associates became part of the seventeen men who embarked on the mission to establish a professional and social fraternity. The men attended numerous meetings in search of their identity. Some issues and goals were discussed; concerning how the fraternity would operate and how new members would be admitted. By the end of the semester, the infrastructure was introduced and all that was left was what the future would hold.
The men journeyed to Shelbyville, Illinois during the winter break for a weekend of preparation, bonding and change. It was during this retreat, on January 19, 1997, that the men finally came together to form Omega Delta. Their Omega Delta meaning was to promote cultural awareness and provide an environment for academic and social success. They had formed a fraternity based on leadership and professionalism, one that opens the doors instead of closing them.
[edit] Joining
Any male student enrolled full-time in one of the universities with an Omega Delta chapter can join. Membership is not restricted to age, study major, race or ethnic background. All male students are encouraged to join the fraternity.
Prospective new members are encouraged to attend open-house and informational meetings to meet current members and know more about the fraternity. Those who wish to join fill out "white" cards (as per IFC regulation) that are summitted to the fraternity. Those who meet a set of standards (such as number of credit hours of study, overall GPA, university enrollment) are handed a bid, which then they can accept (and become prospective new-members-in-training) or decline and join another house.
The training period (also called pledging by other organizations) varies per chapter in both length and content but it is in general similar in ideals and goals. It is held in secrecy to prevent that the new members-in-training be harassed by other fraternities or by the student body in general. Pledges are not allowed to wear the "Omega Delta" letters. Omega Delta Fraternity does not allow or condone hazing of any prospective new members. The Omega Delta Fraternity abides fully by IFC regulations and does not tolerate any violations of IFC rules.
[edit] Miscellaneous
The members go by the nickname Oh Deez or "O.D."
The Omega Delta Fraternity colors are Navy Blue and Beige.
