Why Should I Join Theta Tau?
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People join Theta Tau for many different reasons:
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People stay involved in Theta Tau for many reasons:
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Why Should I Join Theta Tau?
How do I join Theta Tau?
There are two major steps to joining our organization: Rush and Pledgeship
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RushAt the University of Arkansas, Theta Tau has an open rush process. That means that anyone is free to attend our rush events. Our chapter is open to all students of the College of Engineering (and Data Science students) at the University of Arkansas.
Our rush process is typically two weeks long, and takes place within the first month of the fall and spring semesters. Before the start of each semester, rush events are posted below and on our various social media accounts. The purpose of rush is to determine if you like our organization and our members. If you are interested in joining, then try to attend as many rush events as possible. If you have any questions about rush, feel free to send an email to [email protected] |
Bids
After the rushing process, the chapter will vote on all rushees. If selected for a bid, you will be contacted after the rushing process and can either accept or decline. If you accept, you will attend a pinning ceremony in which you will officially become a pledge of Upsilon chapter.
PledgeshipPledgeship is an 8-week long process that prepares pledges for membership and shows them what it is to be a member of Theta Tau.
Each week there is a New Member Education meeting that will cover material and knowledge needed to become a member of Theta Tau, as well as help prepare you for your educational and professional career as an engineer. You will also be assigned a big brother, or "Big", to help you through the process and introduce you to the workings of Upsilon chapter. You will play a part in deciding who your big will be after meeting the potential candidates. After learning about Theta Tau and what it means to be a member, completing service events, chapter events, and being involved as a pledge, you can be voted in by the chapter to become initiated as a member. Once you complete the pledging process and become a member, you will enjoy all of the rights and privileges of membership in a national engineering organization. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be in engineering?
Yes, you must be a student of the College of Engineering, including first year students in GNEG and students majoring in Computer Science and Data Science
What if I change my major from engineering?
As long as you are a declared engineering major at the time of initiation, you will be a member for life, regardless of any decision to change your major. While we focus on engineering and the majority of our members complete degrees in engineering, we do have members that have changed to other degrees
Can I rush if I'm involved in other organizations such as the Razorback Marching Band, club sports, or other groups?
Yes, you will be expected to attend some events and to put forth an effort, but we will work around your schedule to help ensure that you can balance both groups. Upsilon has many members in other sororities/fraternities on campus, as well as various other clubs on campus. We also encourage anyone that drops due to time management constraints to come back when they have more time or are better at managing their time.
Can I rush if I'm a member of another Greek life organization?
Yes, you can be a member of both Theta Tau and a social fraternity or sorority. The only Greek life organization on campus you can't be a member of while also being a member of Theta Tau is Phi Sigma Rho.
How much time does the pledging process require?
Mandatory meetings and study hours amount to 6 to 8 hours per week, with several hours of optional activities also occurring each week. The amount of time put in will vary from person to person, but we recommend setting aside at least 10 hours each week.
How many members can live in your chapter house?
Up to 16 members can live in the chapter house at any given time - Fall, Spring, or Summer.
How much does it cost to pledge?
There is a $150 pledging fee that covers the cost of any activities you do over the semester, such as food, regional conference registration and transportation, Big Brother activities, etc. as well as the fee that the national organization charges all pledges.
How much does it cost to become a member?
There is a $75 fee charged by the national organization that you must pay the first semester of your membership. This fee is included in the pledging fee. Additionally, you will need to purchase a member badge. Badges range in cost from $38 to $215.
How much does it cost to be a member each semester?
As a member, dues each semester are $400. For members that pay at the beginning of the semester, dues are discounted to $375. These dues pay for activities throughout the semester such as cookouts, family dinners, camping, and more; maintaining the chapter house; and the national dues to keep the national organization running. Additionally, in the event that the chapter house does not have at least one occupant in each of its 14 rooms for a given semester, anyone that has not lived at least one lease term in the chapter house will be responsible for paying a $100 fine. This fine funds house improvements to encourage chapter members to live in the chapter house.
What if I can't afford to pay dues or fees?
There are options available for members that cannot currently afford dues or fees. A payment plan can always be setup with the Treasurer to spread the cost of dues or fees out across a semester or summer to make it easier to pay. Additionally, there are opportunities to reduce or completely pay off dues and fines through community service or fraternity service, such as mowing the lawn or cleaning the house.
Yes, you must be a student of the College of Engineering, including first year students in GNEG and students majoring in Computer Science and Data Science
What if I change my major from engineering?
As long as you are a declared engineering major at the time of initiation, you will be a member for life, regardless of any decision to change your major. While we focus on engineering and the majority of our members complete degrees in engineering, we do have members that have changed to other degrees
Can I rush if I'm involved in other organizations such as the Razorback Marching Band, club sports, or other groups?
Yes, you will be expected to attend some events and to put forth an effort, but we will work around your schedule to help ensure that you can balance both groups. Upsilon has many members in other sororities/fraternities on campus, as well as various other clubs on campus. We also encourage anyone that drops due to time management constraints to come back when they have more time or are better at managing their time.
Can I rush if I'm a member of another Greek life organization?
Yes, you can be a member of both Theta Tau and a social fraternity or sorority. The only Greek life organization on campus you can't be a member of while also being a member of Theta Tau is Phi Sigma Rho.
How much time does the pledging process require?
Mandatory meetings and study hours amount to 6 to 8 hours per week, with several hours of optional activities also occurring each week. The amount of time put in will vary from person to person, but we recommend setting aside at least 10 hours each week.
How many members can live in your chapter house?
Up to 16 members can live in the chapter house at any given time - Fall, Spring, or Summer.
How much does it cost to pledge?
There is a $150 pledging fee that covers the cost of any activities you do over the semester, such as food, regional conference registration and transportation, Big Brother activities, etc. as well as the fee that the national organization charges all pledges.
How much does it cost to become a member?
There is a $75 fee charged by the national organization that you must pay the first semester of your membership. This fee is included in the pledging fee. Additionally, you will need to purchase a member badge. Badges range in cost from $38 to $215.
How much does it cost to be a member each semester?
As a member, dues each semester are $400. For members that pay at the beginning of the semester, dues are discounted to $375. These dues pay for activities throughout the semester such as cookouts, family dinners, camping, and more; maintaining the chapter house; and the national dues to keep the national organization running. Additionally, in the event that the chapter house does not have at least one occupant in each of its 14 rooms for a given semester, anyone that has not lived at least one lease term in the chapter house will be responsible for paying a $100 fine. This fine funds house improvements to encourage chapter members to live in the chapter house.
What if I can't afford to pay dues or fees?
There are options available for members that cannot currently afford dues or fees. A payment plan can always be setup with the Treasurer to spread the cost of dues or fees out across a semester or summer to make it easier to pay. Additionally, there are opportunities to reduce or completely pay off dues and fines through community service or fraternity service, such as mowing the lawn or cleaning the house.