Overview

Tau Delta Phi takes the education of its prospective and current members seriously.  We believe that the knowledge an individual learns during their pledge period will not only help shape the type of brother they become, but the person they become after graduation.  The knowledge along with the life experiences gained during a Frater’s undergraduate career can be instrumental in the development of their work ethic, their interpersonal relations, and their character used later in life.

Tau Delta Phi’s membership education program contains several components, mainly knowledge standards and a national exam.  Each chapter shapes their program around the national standards as well as the knowledge and the traditions of their individual chapter.   By filing their membership education program with the Fraternity each year, we can ensure that each prospective new member is attaining the specific goals set by the Fraternity while also allowing each chapter to preserve their identity.  Every prospective new member must pass the Tau Delta Phi National Exam.  The exam is developed by the Fraternity, administered by the respective chapters, and reviewed by the Executive Council.  Prospective new members are only eligible for initiation upon the passing the National Exam.

The Polaris

Tau Delta Phi’s brotherhood manual, Polaris: The Administrative Guide of the Tau Delta Phi Fraternity, is given to prospective new members during their pledge period to guide them along their journey.  Included in the Initiation Fee, this manual details the structure, history, and traditions of Tau Delta Phi as well as the Greek System as a whole to help the individual attain those knowledge standards set by the Fraternity.  The Polaris is then used by the newly made Frater through their years as a reference guide for the running of chapter meetings, setting up of alumni associations, or information on the layout of the National Fraternity to name a few uses.  ThePolaris is a valuable resource for every Frater.

Educational Standards

Tau Delta Phi also monitors the academic standing of each member to ensure that they are successfully working towards their ultimate goal in college, graduation.  Through the Study Hours Program, the Fraternity works with prospective new members and Fraters to ensure that they are devoting the appropriate amount of time to their studies.

Tau Delta Phi’s educational standards, detailed in our Bylaws, are as follows:

• All prospective new members and neophytes (newly made Fraters) must participate in the Study Hours Program of two hours per week.
• All Fraters with less than a 2.5 cumulative or prior semester GPA are required to complete the Study Hours Program.
• All chapters and colonies must maintain a 2.5 overall GPA.  Chapters or colonies failing to do so will be placed on probation for two semesters during which they must work improve their GPA through a specific educational program developed by the National Fraternity. After two semesters, if the 2.5 minimum is not reach, the Executive Council may take further action.
• Any chapter or colony with greater then a 2.8 overall GPA will receive a discount on their AMF’s of $5 per active member for their overall chapter or colony success.  Further, any chapter or colony with greater then a 3.0 overall GPA will receive a $10 discount per active member on their AMF’s.
• Each chapter or colony Consul shall appoint one Scholarship Chairman who will oversee the process of collecting transcripts to be sent to the National Fraternity and maintaining the study hour forms for all required brothers to be sent on demand by any Grand Officer.   The Scholarship Chairman must have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.5.