The Postulant Period

The average young man, looking forward to college life, has limited understanding of a fraternity. Only by living the principles of the Fraternity year after year can he come to a full appreciation of privilege which membership in Alpha Chi Rho affords. Nothing accomplished in the Postulant's young life makes him completely able to realize the true value of Fraternity life. However, he was selected because a Brother saw in him a worthy member, who by his future achievements would uphold and add to the Fraternities good name. The Postulant inherits decades of traditions, ideals, and accomplishments. His Postulant pin signifies to the campus that he has been selected to associate with a Fraternity which has been enriched by the lives and deeds of thousands of men who have worn the Badge before him.

A Fraternity is more than a group of men wearing the same letters. It is "...a workshop in brains and emotions where a man may serve in four years an apprenticeship for life. It is the sum of memories stored up by generations of alumni, plus the cumulative experience from freshman to senior. It is the helping hand." (Robert J. Miller, Phi Delta Theta)

Education Period

In Fraternity life, there has developed a period of instruction between the time a man accepts his bid and the time he is initiated into the Brotherhood. During this period, the perspective member wears a Fraternity pin, and in Alpha Chi Rho is called a Postulant.

Just as every privilege in life carries responsibility with it, so membership in Alpha Chi Rho carries with it an obligation for it's members to conduct themselves at all times in a manner which will reflect credit on the individual member and the Fraternity. The reputation and good name of the Fraternity are entrusted to each Postulant and Brother. Activities and accomplishments which favorably on the individual member add strength to the entire Brotherhood. Similarly, actions which are unbecoming to gentlemen not only bring discredit on an individual, but damage the good name of Alpha Chi Rho and its Brothers everywhere.

In Alpha Chi Rho, a postulant is required to take a formal pledge which reads as follows:

"I pledge, on my honor as a gentleman, to accept along with my Postulant Pin, my responsibility to the National Fraternity of Alpha Chi Rho, to the Brothers of the ________________ Chapter of which I will become a member, to my Alma Mater, and to the Brother hood of Alpha Chi Rho past, present and future.

"I further pledge to uphold to the best of my ability, the Land marks, Ideals, Ritual, and the Constitution of the National Fraternity and the By-laws of my Chapter.

"I will endeavor at all times to so act as to reflect credit on my Fraternity, my Chapter, and my College."

Signed ___________________________

Date ___/___/___

Witness __________________________

On becoming a Postulant, a man surrenders none of his legal or social rights, none of family or personal ties, none of his moral or religious ideals and standards. His status as a free individual changes only in that he has voluntarily taken on a new responsibility which means inspiration and opportunity.

When a man becomes a Postulant, he at once becomes his Brother's keeper. The Postulant is expected to conduct his personal life, on campus and off, in a manner which will always reflect credit on his organization and on himself. A postulant is responsible for maintaining decent standard of scholarship, above the all men's GPA. He should contribute to the campus by taking part in various college groups and organizations. A postulant is expected to carry his share of the financial burden of the Chapter. He must live within his means and pay his obligation to the Fraternity promptly. He must realize that the bills of his Chapter must be paid, and if doesn't pay his share, he forces the other members to pay for him.

The Postulant period is designed to prepare a man for member ship in Alpha Chi Rho. During the Postulant period, the Postulant is instructed in history, life, and lore of the Fraternity, so that he may have an appreciation for the organization he is joining. In no instance should the Postulant period become a burdensome ordeal, nor should it in anyway interfere with his regular college work. Only as a man learns to serve his Fraternity willingly can he be depended upon to assume the greater responsibility of life as a Fraternity upperclassman.

The Postulant period is a time for adjustment. Upperclassmen are aware of the difficulties of transition to college life. Advice from upperclassmen is extremely beneficial to younger Alpha Chi Rho Postulants who are growing and maturing into campus and Chapter leaders. The Chapter provides a structured and constructive program of education. Upperclassmen must set the standards for the Postulants. A Postulant is a selected man, and has the right to be treated as a man, not a child. Therefore, there is no place in Alpha Chi Rho for activities that are vulgar, harmful or degrading.

Scholarship A Postulant must make scholarship his first priority. In fact Alpha Chi Rho prohibits the initiation of any Postulant whose GPA is below a 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Merely getting by is not enough; Alpha Chi Rho expects its Postulants to attain leadership in the class room by demonstrating a genuine curiosity for learning, and not by simply meeting the minimum requirements.

Fellowship the give and take of group life, is another adjustment a Postulant must make, Postulant learn to do their share for the good of the entire group, are ready to help in time of trouble or need, is one of the group of the and yet brave enough to stand up for his own ideals. He can take criticism without offering alibis, and learns not to carry a grudge, but to talk about any problem he has. He relies of his Big Brother for advice and direction.

The College A Postulant must realize his duty to the college or university he is attending. There should never be a conflict between loyalties to the Fraternity and the College. If there were no college there would be no Chapter. Similarly, if there were no Chapter the college would be missing a valuable part of it community. Upon graduation, his loyalties are bound by two strong ties, which mutually strengthen each other.

- Postulant Program