Phi Gamma Delta, also known as FIJI, is in the process of renewing its chapter for first time since the original Chi chapter was chartered at Union in 1893.
FIJI is represented on 116 campuses across the U.S.
Gabe Camut, FIJI’s field secretary, reported that there are around 20 new pledges, which is a solid start for a founding father class at a small college like Union.
“We are here to set the bar for what Greek life should be,” said Camut, adding that FIJI is a fraternity that prides itself on diversity and does not associate itself with a certain demographic, sports team or stereotype.
FIJI previously had a chapter at Union for over 100 years, so returning to the “mother of all fraternities” was strongly supported by the alumni and fraternity’s official headquarters.
FIJI has connections to some of the school’s most recognized alumni including Charles Steinmetz, who was an honorary member and advisor to the fraternity.
FIJI members pride themselves on being “FIJI gentlemen.”
“Having FIJI will dramatically change life here,” said Adam Dear ‘14, President of the new pledge class. “Not only does it have a history of being one of the best fraternities nationwide, it is also one of the most respected.”
The group hopes to build a brotherhood that is unique and meaningful.
“While we look forward to adding a unique new niche to Union’s social scene, we will not forget that a Greek organization must contribute far more to Union than an addition to the party scene,” said Brendan Brooks ‘14.
Phi Gamma Delta will also be awarding a White Star Scholarship to a non-Greek male that exemplifies academic achievement and community involvement.
The $1000 scholarship is sponsored by a graduate and will be presented at FIJI’s introduction reception.
The fraternity’s official representatives are in talks with the college to figure out housing plans for next year and are enthusiastic about becoming a part of the Union community.
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How will this affect DKE, which took FIJI’s place when FIJI went away? Doesn’t DKE still include a number of FIJI-inherited characteristics, like…. FIJI Island?
It will not affect DKE whatsoever. Fiji is not DKE and DKE is not Fiji, They are two completely different organizations with different rituals and values, despite some inherited traditions from nearly a decade ago.
Chi chapter of Phi Gamma Delta flourished for 108 years at Union College (1893-2001) until the the establishment of President Hull’s U2K social changes affected all Greek organizations on campus and Phi Gamma Delta International established a strict alcohol policy. FIJI did not go away. The undergraduates at that time debrothered and went local (Alpha Beta) primarily to maintain in-house alcohol for rush events. This local house later decided to affiliate with DKE nationally. FIJI Island or the Fiji Islander party is a Phi Gamma Delta event tradition. DKE has their own national traditions and rituals. Why DKE would cling to another fraternity’s traditions, rituals and history is a question for them. As an alumnus, I am grateful that President Ainlay’s administration and Tim Dunn have once again helped Greek organizations to thrive and allowed us to refill the void left by our chapter’s absence for 10 years.
These numbers will go down once Fiji stops paying people to join
Paying people to join? You obviously are misinformed.
To all the older guys who are FIJI’s, the house @ Fox North is still the same house it was when you were there. Through a series of unfortunate events @ Union and MIT the letters on the house were changed, but the traditions and rituals are still the same as there was a period of time where technically there were no letters. If you ever come back to Union, please visit Fox North for a turn on Varsity or the caps table.
The guys there did entertain FIJI recolonizing when looking for a national, but FIJI is nationally dry and a decision was made, not to recolonize FIJI as it was felt that not having alcohol would ultimately be the demise of the house. That is the reality, FIJI did recolonize, but the decade old FIJI traditions and rituals passed down through the years still exist at Fox North. They still visit Steinmetz, drink to good ole Delta, and go to Vale Park. The men at Fox North still believe in the same thing that you did when you were in college. Persistence!
Not for college days alone.
While I am sure Fiji/AB is well-intentioned, those in Fox-North right now are decidedly not FIJIs. There is no point re-hashing events of a decade ago, but those there now have inherited a legacy where their predecessors abandoned their FIJI affiliation and allowed Fiji’s Chi chapter to die so they could continue having alcohol. My understanding the group subsequently chartered as DKEs.
You cannot have it both ways; celebrate your DKE affiliation and create and maintain your own DKE traditions. But let go of any pretense that you have any FIJI standing. Let the FIJI recolonization occur without any drama or dispute. If you are in possession of any FIJI items, please turn them over to the new FIJI brothers.
The Greek system has a tough enough road dealing with an unsupportive administration that we do not need controversy or disputes among ourselves.
Dear Fjij/AB,
I am fairly certain that I speak for many of the graduate brothers of the Chi Chapter of Fiji at Union College when I say that the only drinking to good ole Delta that will be done will be done with the only real Fijis at Union…the newest members of the Fiji Colony. The new Colony will be learning all of the traditions of the chapter that was so callously thrown away with the help of the brothers who were actually there when many of these traditions were formed. I can’t help but wonder how the DKE national feels about the men of Fox North drinking to good ole Delta. “Persistence”…really? How much persistence was shown when the decision was made to throw away a chapter that existed for over 100 years? I also find the use of the phrase “not for college days alone” quite interesting given that the then “brothers” of Chi chapter came to their fateful decsion while still IN college.
Sign me,
A proud Fiji who wholeheartedly supports the new Fiji Colony at Union College
Dear “Cha Ching”
The scholarship that the fraternity gave out went to both non-greek men who did not join and non-greek men who did join. Please educate yourself before making ignorant comments.
- Loyal Fiji Gentlemen supporter