New Deke Colony at the University of Victoria

01/29/2010

Victoria, BC

By: Brent Tynan (Phi Alpha '76)

Several Phi Alpha Alumni with UVic rushees

If all goes according to plan, DKE may soon have its newest Chapter up and running at the University of Victoria, in British Columbia.  It will be Deke's seventh Canadian Chapter, and geographically the westernmost Chapter of DKE.

Phi Alpha (UBC) was approached by a small interest group at UVic nearly a year ago.  Working with DKE International's Western Regional Board Member Grant Burnyeat '65, and other Phi Alpha Alumni, the interest group has grown dramatically.

Victoria is a city of 400,000 and is the capital of British Columbia.  At present there are no Fraternities or Sororities at UVic, a campus of 19,000 undergraduates which includes faculties of Business, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Law, Medicine, Science and Humanities.  DKE is therefore tapping into a pool of men who are eager for a Fraternity experience.  Other NIC member Fraternities have also expressed interest in colonizing at UVic as have several sororities.

For information about UVic see www.uvic.ca

The interest group, which has taken the name Beta Tau, presently stands at over 40 men.  They have already elected officers, created a budget and dues structure, held several rush events as well as a profitable open party, and are fielding several Intramural sports teams.  They meet every Sunday night under the guidance of Bro. Drew Gilmour (Phi Alpha '03) who is attending law school at UVic)

On Tuesday, February 2nd Dekes from Phi Alpha and other Chapters will be joined by DKE International's Executive Director Doug Lanpher at a dinner and Pledging Ceremony in Victoria.

This is an exciting development, and we will publish updates as the new Pledges move through their pledge education period and eventually are initiated as DKE's newest Chapter.