Omega Delta
Encyclopedia
Omega Delta 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 seven chapters, six campuses in the state of Illinois
, and a seventh chapter at Marquette University
in Wisconsin
. It is a member of the InterFraternal Council (IFC) at all the campuses, it has a Chapter House.
. 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.
The achievement of intellectual excellence is an enduring object of a members life. Men of Principle and Leadership calls for the implementation of a comprehensive program of mentoring and incentives which will foster academic excellence. Men of Principle and Leadership sets specific annual chapter goals which relate to the all-men's GPA and the all-fraternity GPA. Perhaps of greater importance, commitment to the cultivation of the intellect in broader terms requires that the life style or culture of the chapter encourage and support academic achievement.
Being Men of Principle and Leadership requires members to live by the highest standards of social conduct.
enrolled full-time in one of the universities with an Omega Delta chapter can join and withholding an accumulated GPA of 2.5 or more. 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 submitted 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.
Oh Deez or "O.D."
The Omega Delta Fraternity colors are Navy Blue
and Beige
.
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
founded in the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
. The Alpha Chapter was established on January 19, 1997; the organization has since expanded to seven chapters, six campuses in the state of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, and a seventh chapter at Marquette University
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. It is a member of the InterFraternal Council (IFC) at all the campuses, it has a Chapter House.
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 fraternityFraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
. 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
Ethnic group
An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, a common culture and/or an ideology that stresses common ancestry or endogamy...
divided and segregated from the larger Greek
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
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
Shelbyville, Illinois
Shelbyville is a city in Shelby County, Illinois, along the Kaskaskia River. As of the 2010 census, the population was at 4700. It is the county seat of Shelby County...
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
Leadership
Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". Other in-depth definitions of leadership have also emerged.-Theories:...
and professionalism, one that opens the doors instead of closing them.
Mission
Omega Delta is dedicated to building Men of Principle and Leadership. Our brotherhood aids the individual, builds the Fraternity and strengthens the host academic institution through lifelong devotion to intellectual excellence, high standards of moral conduct and responsible citizenship. As individuals, we strive for professionalism in character as we continue our pursuit of knowledge and meaning.The achievement of intellectual excellence is an enduring object of a members life. Men of Principle and Leadership calls for the implementation of a comprehensive program of mentoring and incentives which will foster academic excellence. Men of Principle and Leadership sets specific annual chapter goals which relate to the all-men's GPA and the all-fraternity GPA. Perhaps of greater importance, commitment to the cultivation of the intellect in broader terms requires that the life style or culture of the chapter encourage and support academic achievement.
Being Men of Principle and Leadership requires members to live by the highest standards of social conduct.
Joining
Any male studentStudent
A student is a learner, or someone who attends an educational institution. In some nations, the English term is reserved for those who attend university, while a schoolchild under the age of eighteen is called a pupil in English...
enrolled full-time in one of the universities with an Omega Delta chapter can join and withholding an accumulated GPA of 2.5 or more. 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 submitted 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
BID
Bid may refer to:*Bidding, making a price offer in an auction, stock exchange, or card games*Bid , a British home shopping channel...
, which then they can accept (and become prospective new-members-in-training) or decline
Decline
Decline is a change over time from previously efficient to inefficient organizational functioning, from previously rational to non-rational organizational and individual decision-making, from previously law-abiding to law violating organizational and individual behavior, from previously virtuous to...
and join another house.
The training period (also called pledging by other organizations) varies per chapter in both length
Length
In geometric measurements, length most commonly refers to the longest dimension of an object.In certain contexts, the term "length" is reserved for a certain dimension of an object along which the length is measured. For example it is possible to cut a length of a wire which is shorter than wire...
and content but it is in general similar in ideals and goals. It is held in secrecy
Secrecy
Secrecy is the practice of hiding information from certain individuals or groups, perhaps while sharing it with other individuals...
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
Hazing
Hazing is a term used to describe various ritual and other activities involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group....
of any prospective new members. The Omega Delta Fraternity abides fully by IFC regulations and does not tolerate any violations of IFC rules.
Miscellaneous
The members go by the nicknameNickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
Oh Deez or "O.D."
The Omega Delta Fraternity colors are Navy Blue
Navy blue
Navy blue is a very dark shade of the color blue which almost appears as black. Navy blue got its name from the dark blue worn by officers in the British Royal Navy since 1748 and subsequently adopted by other navies around the world....
and Beige
Beige
Beige may be described as an off tan color or an extremely pale brown color.The term originates from beige cloth, a cotton fabric left undyed in its natural color...
.