Page 1 - 1911 February - To Dragma

70 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

Is it not strange that such a small percentage of men who enter college
finish? I f it is advantageous to go to college, is not a completed college
education of far greater advantage?

It is right here that our fraternity is failing to do her duty, and failing
to bring out the maximum efficiency of each man. Looking at this matter
from the standpoint of the chapter, is it not true that the first two years a
man spends in college he is still a stranger, looking around for his proper
place, and getting his ideas and habits from others? The second two years
he has become more accustomed, and then he takes the initiative in the chapter
and is a leader. For the first two years he is dependent on the chapter, for
the last two the chapter is dependent on him. Upper classmen are not only
the brains of the rushing season, but they also dominate the life of the chap-
ter and make the policy of all the acts of the chapter. The fact then follows
that a man's later years in college are of more value than his first years, not only
for his own sake, but also for the sake of the chapter.

Realizing, then, that the man whose college education covers one or two
years is not doing himself justice, not aiding the chapter as he should, should
not the fraternity, as a fraternity, do more to keep its members in college for
the full term? Should it not almost be a condition precedent to a man's initia-
tion that his intention is to remain four years? It is hardly possible that every
man can be expected to stay in college for four years, but why cannot all the
chapters attain the standard of Pennsylvania Beta, which has eighty per cent,
of its initiates graduate?

To formulate a theory for the attainment of this end is a difficult matter,
and indeed, it would be impossible to make any one rule which would uni-
versally apply, owing to different conditions in different institutions.

However, the habits and general trend of a student are formed in his
freshman year. Here the seeds of industry are sown, or the weeds of idle-
ness put in an appearance. Special care should be taken with the freshmen
that' they attend to their studies. How this should be done is a matter for
consideration of the individual chapters. But more emphasis should certainly
be put on scholarship and on the importance of a complete college education.

This paper is not an answer, but a question. Is it not the case that the
chapters are letting slip by them the opportunity of developing the maximum
efficiency, not only of the chapter itself, but also of the individual members?—

The Shield.

. a n . oilier, uui wiitr ».,.."girtou—-Agalia >.. , .. quoted by Eleu^s Oi A ...

According to the method followed at present which consists in furnishing

to each group of petitioners instructions as to the steps which they must take

in order to accomplish the result they desire, the main burden is laid upon

them to prove themselves worthy.—The Delta of Sigma Nu considers that

"Careful inspection by active chapters, alumni chapters and officials of the

fraternity during the greater part of a college year should settle the matter

beyond a doubt one way or the other." Delta Upsilon also believes in

"searching investigations as to college and society standing by the chapters,

especially those nearest the petitioning societies," urges alumni in a position to

do so to contribute their sum of accurate information; suggests that these

reports should be sent by the Executive Council to all the chapters, and that

the statements therein, if debatable, be challenged by the opposition, but wishes

the will of the majority of the chapters to prevail, perhaps not on the first

vote, but that finally the will of the majority should control. Tri-Delta, I

believe, submits the applications of each group to all the chapters, and each