Letter to Parents & Students: The ΛΙ Chapter of Delta Upsilon Reorganizes..

The ΛΙ Chapter of Delta Upsilon Reorganizes in New Fraternity Row House

This letter provides information about a new opportunity for further development of character along with practical learning experiences at Clarkson University. Delta Upsilon is reorganizing and will be housed in a new state of the art house on Clarkson’s Hill Campus. Male students will have a chance to be present at the start of an exciting new organization.

The Delta Upsilon (DU) fraternity began life on the Clarkson campus as Lambda Iota in 1919. For 43 years, its many brothers were leaders on the campus scene in athletics, scholarship and student governance. Young men, working together, most of them away from home for the first time, learned how to get along, socially integrate, make new friends of differing backgrounds, and achieve success through time honored traditions of hard work and dedication.

In 1962, Lambda Iota Fraternity became the Lambda Iota Chapter of Delta Upsilon, a high ranking international fraternity. DU was selected over several other nationals because its inclusiveness, high ideals, leadership, moral and academic standards most closely mirrored Lambda Iota’s history. The transition was seamless leading to several decades of continued success.

The general trend of social change in America beginning in the years following the Viet Nam war, gradually eroded the self-discipline and responsibility aspects of fraternal life at all colleges and Clarkson’s DU was no exception. It was accelerated by the development of the University’s Hill Campus, which resulted in distancing the once proud downtown fraternity houses from the new center of activities. By the late '90's Clarkson DU, along with many other Clarkson fraternity houses, was a shell of its former self.

Alumni recognized the loss of valuable college experiences and eventually acted, resulting in a new fraternity development on campus sponsored by the university. President Collins, aware of the feelings and opinions of Clarkson’s successful fraternity alumni, supported a regeneration of Greek life, to be located on the new hill campus.

DU sold its home of 92 years and petitioned the University for permission to recolonize in one of the four new Adirondack styled houses being built on the new fraternity row. The house will have structural features to resemble the former old victorian “Big White House” on Elm Street that overlooked the downtown campus, preserving its dignity and legacy.

The interior will be a modern, high tech design providing the membership with a residence that meets all its academic, social and living experience needs. As the oldest and largest non-secret fraternity in America, with no ritualistic or hazing activities, DU chapters are organized under a modern business structure, with many leadership development positions that provide opportunities for members to learn and practice current business methods in everyday life, similar to the way a cadet environment prepares one for life in the armed service.

This routine operation will supplement a DU brother’s academic learning with practical hands-on experience and coaching by experienced alumni mentors, in preparation for the competitive corporate world. A moral compass is guided by the DU motto: “Justice, our Foundation”, and the DU Founding Principles, established in 1834: Advancement of Justice, Development of Character, Promotion of Friendship, and Diffusion of Liberal Culture.

The Lambda Iota chapter as a colony of Delta Upsilon International fraternity is reorganized with the following intent:

To deliver a life-learning experience to members, providing focus through an emphasis on responsibility in scholarship and community involvement; developing self-reliance as well as teamwork; creating social integration and lifelong friendships with those of differing backgrounds; resulting in a group of like-minded alumni that will support the brothers and Clarkson University.

This effort is directed by and will be overseen by the Lambda Iota - Delta Upsilon Alumni Board representing over 700 Clarkson graduate brothers who have used the lessons and principles learned in brotherhood to achieve successful careers, community and family lives.

This is our organizing purpose. We, as brothers of Delta Upsilon, encourage student and parental examination of our aims and commitments. Those of us who have experienced and benefited from successful fraternal life wish to offer such opportunity to incoming students and future leaders, just as those opportunities were offered to us.