Fraternity promotes diversity and will let members help build it

Delta Sigma Phi regional director, Ry Beck, expansion coordinators Matthew Kearney and John Regner, and regional director Kyle Libra are hoping to found a chapter at Kent State. Katie Roupe | Daily Kent Stater

Credit: DKS Editors

Delta Sigma Phi, a fraternity founded on diversity, is coming to Kent State but needs members.

Expansion coordinators and regional directors held a meeting last night for prospective members interested in joining the fraternity.

Members will have a chance to be a part of a new group and be a founding father, expansion coordinator Matt Kearney said. They get to make the fraternity whatever they want.

The fraternity was founded in 1899 by a Jewish and a Christian individual who wanted to join the same fraternity. They weren’t allowed to, so the friends decided to start their own fraternity that was diverse, open minded and open to everyone.

Kearney and fellow expansion coordinator John Regner have been here since last week.

“It’s a slow start,” Kearney said. “We’re here to help get the fraternity started and off to a good start.”

The green and white fraternity is based on three core values: culture, harmony and friendship.

“We want to enhance the college experience,” Regner said.

Expansion coordinators are not looking for a certain number of members; they’re just looking at the quality in each member.

“We want to be open minded,” Regional Director Ry Beck said. “We want the members to learn and grow on their own behalf.”

According to a pamphlet distributed at the meeting, Delta Sigma Phi does not tolerate hazing and wants to make sure it never becomes a tradition in their chapter. Also, there is no “pledging” as founding fathers or as part of Delta Sigma Phi. Prospective students have a time period where they have the chance to get to know the fraternity better and decide whether it is for them.

“We don’t want to destroy your lives with mundane tasks,” Kearney said.

There are currently no members, but about five or six students are interested in joining so far.

Kearney and Regner will be in Kent until March 20.

If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about this new, diverse fraternity, contact Matt Kearney at [email protected]. Interested members can join the coordinators and regional directors at 7 p.m. tonight in Eastway for bowling.

Contact Greek life reporter Elizabeth Rothman at [email protected].