Brotherhood without boundaries

What does a group of friends do when they get together and decide that they would all like to be in a fraternity or similar organization together, but can’t afford it or find they have little in common with existing groups? Both men and women in this year’s senior class organized groups of their own. Women organized an all-out women’s fraternity, now known as Alpha Omicron Pi. The men, however, decided that they didn’t want this level of organization, and instead opted to form a brotherhood. They called this brotherhood ‘Brotherhood,’ which in Greek is Adelphia.

“The majority of the seniors in Adelphia were all from Scharp[enberg] and we didn’t pledge a fraternity, and we weren’t going to let that stop us from having fun,” explained senior mechanical engineer Alex Voltaire, who was with the founding group when it began in Fall 2004. According to Voltaire, the group had been friends for nearly two years at that point, so they gave it a name.

“It’s just a group of friends that are closer than most groups of friends,” explicated Tom Werne, a senior electrical engineer. “What all don’t they do together?”

According to junior electrical engineer Sam Hawkins, Adelphia tries “to be everything that a group of friends would want to be,” which includes things such as supporting each other through homework help and rides, to fun things such as partying. Adelphia also has a library of text books that members can borrow from.

“We do operate similar to a social fraternity, however we strive to maintain the minimum amount of organization possible to have a house and still have parties, but without getting a status any more than a group of friends,” commented co-founder Ben Braun, who is a senior electrical engineer. “We try to stay just below that fine line” between being a fraternity and being friends. Adelphia is not a part of IFC and is not subject to any rules of that sort, especially when it comes to rush and bid deadlines. There are no chapter meetings, no dues, and the parties don’t have admissions lists.

“I guess the best way to describe it would be debauchery to the nth degree,” laughed Werne. “Adelphia is commitment free,” explained Braun.

There are no requirements for being in Adelphia. “We don’t really decide when someone becomes a member of Adelphia, it’s when they have been around us enough and become comfortable enough with us,” enumerated Braun. “I’d say the only requirement for Adelphia would be you have to be able to let go and just not care,” Werne expressed.

Currently, Adelphia has no female members. Braun stated that “We do say that we’re co-ed, but I think that there’s something a lot less pleasing to a female living in a house with fourteen other guys as opposed to another guy.” Voltaire pointed out that “we have female supporters” and also that “There are girls that want the sweater, shirts.”

Adelphia is making a few waves around campus, though they are not officially recognized by Rose-Hulman. “One thing they can’t do is represent themselves as a Rose recognized organization,” said Dean of Student Affairs Pete Gustafson. Associate Dean of Student Affairs Tom Miller shared some concerns that had been brought to him by members of IFC. “There have been undertones about this group as a result of this group sponsoring programs or socials during rush activities, which IFC sees as interference.” Miller indicated that the difference between Adelphia holding activities and other organizations is that they are perceived as trying to be a pseudo social fraternity. “They want to be kind of recognized, but at the same time they don’t want the policies and procedures.”

Adelphia recently asked to participate in Brush Up for Campus, which is an event sponsored by the social greek organizations. “I think that’s wonderful,” said Miller, but told them no. “I don’t personally like to do that,” said Miller, indicating that IFC was opposed to it being a non-greek organization. Fraternities whose primary purpose is not social have been allowed to participate in the past.

At Homecoming this year, Adelphia sponsored Erin O’Connor as a Homecoming Queen candidate and made a banner. O’Connor was voted Homecoming Queen. Some members of greek organizations raised objections that Adelphia was able to participate. “Any students can do that,” said Miller about the nominations and banner contest. “I appreciate their involvement.”

Blue Key will be evaluating what the specific definition of what groups will be welcome to participate. This year Speed 1 submitted a banner and last year Blumberg hall sponsored last year’s Homecoming Queen, Danna Sheridan. “If they truly wish to be a student organization, they should go before the Student Affairs Committee of the Institute and ask for recognition,” said Gustafson.