With the new letters of Phi Theta Sigma, the members of the former Theta Chi chapter at Duke are enjoying their newfound freedom from the Interfraternity Council and national fraternity affiliations.
Despite Phi Theta Sigma President Collin Jones' initial expectations, however, other IFC fraternities said they are not planning to follow the group off campus.
"I think the relationship [with the University] is a mutually beneficial one," said senior Evan Sherman, president of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. "We give social and philanthropic programming to the University, and they provide us with housing and taking care of legal liability, which is something you lose when you go off campus."
Dave Westol, chief executive officer for the national office of Theta Chi fraternity, also recognized the help offered by the University to its student organizations.
"Duke is providing a lot of administrative support," he said. "It struck me and several others that someone would say the University is not supporting the greek community because we see the opposite."
As of this semester, the chapter owed more than $20,000 to the national fraternity, Westol said.
The debt has been an ongoing issue and was one of the reasons that led nearly 40 members of Theta Chi to leave the fraternity in fall 2004.
"The guys were a group of seniors who were just apathetic and didn't want to pay the debt, which was about half-to-two-thirds of what it is today," Westol said.
The national fraternity offered to work with the members and relieve them of more than 50 percent of the amount owed in order to keep the chapter alive.
Nevertheless, the financial troubles sparked the idea about disaffiliation more than a year ago, said Jones, a junior.
It was not, however, a major reason for the final decision, he added.
"The main reason was the lack of reasons to be affiliated," Jones said. "Everything on campus fraternities can do, for the most part, off-campus fraternities can do-most of the time, easier and better."
Jones said he has had conversations with other IFC fraternity members about the possibility of disaffiliating.
"In light of what we've done and the reactions that the campus has given us, a lot of those fraternities who have discussed [disaffiliating] are going to think more serious about it now," Jones said. "I wouldn't be surprised if another fraternity will go off campus by the end of the semester."
Because the fraternity was receiving better housing by blocking on Main West Quadrangle, they had little reason to apply for a section on campus, he added.
Senior Ryan Eick, president of Eta Prime, the only other unaffiliated off-campus fraternity, agreed that blocking is better than having a fraternity section.
"I don't really like on-campus parties anyway," Eick said. "It's just not my cup of tea or the idea of having fun for members of this fraternity."
Pi Kappa Phi, a new IFC fraternity that currently does not have a section on campus, is still seeking one, said President Michael Kralovec, a senior.
"We were just officially chartered a month ago," Kralovec said. "Essentially, we did the opposite of what Theta Chi did."
He added that his fraternity intends to have a more collaborative relationship with the University and emphasized the importance of working with the administration to enrich student life.
"The future of fraternities depends on their interdependence with the University," he said. "The only chance for them to survive is to align themselves with the plans of the University."
Working with the administration can offer further support and opportunities, said junior Rob DeHaas, president of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.
"Being a part of IFC gives you a strong voice," he said. "You're with other people who are facing the challenges you are, with the same motives."
The issues that led to Theta Chi's disaffiliation were specific to the chapter and the final decision was made solely by its members, said Todd Adams, assistant dean of students for fraternity and sorority life. "I think we certainly offered resources and assistance with all parties involved," he said. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to make a strong enough case to the undergrads to make them continue their affiliation."
Lower dues and fewer restrictions are some of the major benefits of being in an off-campus fraternity, Eick said.
"I could definitely list the perks of being off campus," he said. "But it's everyone's choice to make for themselves."
In spite of the recent change, the national fraternity of Theta Chi does not intend to leave Duke forever.
"We respect the decision of the undergraduates," Westol said. "But we fully intend to ask Duke to recolonize the chapter. This is not a permanent departure."
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