About Tau Kappa Epsilon – Mu Lambda Chapter

Tau Kappa Epsilon, commonly known as TKE or Teke, is a social collegiate fraternity with chapters throughout the United States and Canada, making it an international organization providing men with countless opportunities for personal growth and development.

Our mission is to aid men in their mental, moral, and social development for life. Tau Kappa Epsilon creates lifelong relationships that enhance educational, interpersonal, community, and professional success. TKE contributes to the advancement of society through the personal growth of our members and service to others.

The Mu Lambda Chapter of TKE established at Michigan Tech prides itself on over 50 years of involvement with the university and the greater Houghton community.

Personal Development

Each fraternity promotes a set of ideals that are to be held true by its members throughout their lives. TKE challenges members to live up to the standard of excellence defined by our Declaration of Principles on a daily basis. These principles provide an environment where members are encouraged to develop strong skills for scholarship, character, leadership, teamwork service and brotherhood—the attributes that build success and happiness throughout life.

To further develop these principles, Tau Kappa Epsilon has established a series of educational conferences and programs to ensure each member’s success fraternally, professionally and personally.

Province Forums

In past years, the conferences were largely unstructured gatherings for local chapters and colonies to hold conversations about challenges on their respective campuses at a neutral location. Today, Province Forums stand as the most accessible of all our programs.

Saturday morning presents a day filled with educational programming. Each attendee is trained on how to better execute the duties of officer positions and provided practical lessons on how to become a more effective leader. There are up to five workshop options at a time, giving each attendee an opportunity to create their own curriculum for the weekend. Sample workshops include: TKE History, Recruitment, Fraternity and Personal Finances, Technology, Etiquette and How to Charter. These workshop selections cater to both small and large groups as well as collegiate and alumni members. Saturday afternoon consists of a formal ritual and, for alumni and graduating seniors, the Fraternity for Life Ritual. Saturday evening concludes with the Regional Banquet culminating in awards and a keynote speaker.

Learn more about Regional Leadership Conferences at tke.org/rlc.

Regional Leadership Conferences

Regional Leadership Conferences have brought together collegiate and alumni members to share, learn and live the principles of Tau Kappa Epsilon. Similarly aligned across the board, each RLC opens with a welcome reception and a keynote speaker.

A Forum is typically a one-day, drive-in event held at a minimal cost. This is the chance for every Teke—and even those not yet initiated—to gather with others, learn how to become better men and make the Fraternity stronger.

During last year’s Forum season, over 1,300 attendees attended one of the 30+ events to better themselves, their chapter and their Fraternity. This year, we expect more than 2,500 individuals to attend a Forum at one of 40+ locations across North America, further emphasizing the Fraternity’s commitment to the development of our members and chapters.

Learn more about Province Forums at tke.org/forum.

Leadership Academy

Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity has aimed to continue the tradition of the Charles R. Walgreen Jr. TKE Leadership Academy by cultivating leaders, providing them with the tools and application of a solid life skills portfolio in a controlled environment.

The National Founders, and their leadership styles, are shown as the prime examples to challenge the current process and inspire all members to have a shared vision for the future vitality of the Fraternity.

Only by developing a full understanding of attendees’ personal values, and the values of the Fraternity, can aspiring leaders truly begin the journey of leadership in TKE and beyond. Building better groups across TKE Nation begins with these men who take the time to develop their abilities.

Through a sequenced and balanced blend of workshops, small group discussions, outdoor activities and keynote speakers, each attendee is influenced at a personal level and will discover new boundaries mentally, morally and socially. The curriculum will take deeper looks at Scholarship, Character, Leadership, Teamwork, Service and Brotherhood. By thinking critically and rising to lead us into our future, each Leadership Academy Teke will walk away more focused, dedicated and having a new sense of the concept of fraternity.

Learn more about Leadership Academy at tke.org/tkela.

Conclave

Conclave is Tau Kappa Epsilon’s biennial celebration, a business meeting of the Grand Chapter to vote on legislation to The Black Book and an election of Grand Officers. During the four-day event, we hand out the Fraternity’s highest awards to chapters and individuals, give back to the community with a service project, and enjoy brotherhood at our Off-Site Event.

On February 17, 1909, Tau Kappa Epsilon held its first Conclave in the Alpha chapter house living room at Illinois Wesleyan University as a celebration of Fraternity, chapter and member accomplishments. Aside from the opportunity to recognize the work accomplished over the biennium, Conclave continues to serve as the legislative system for proposed adjustments to The Black Book. Additionally, the Fraternity’s Grand Council (Board of Directors) is voted to serve a two-year term on one of eight available positions.

Originally attended by only a few dozen members, the Fraternity’s Greatest Spectacle has grown in pomp and circumstance over the past century. Today, Conclave is attended by nearly 800 members every biennium on odd-numbered years.

Learn more about Conclave at tke.org/conclave.

Joining a Fraternity

Unlike some schools, Michigan Tech fraternities do not have a formal recruiting process or week. Instead, Michigan Tech fraternities recruit year round, especially in the forms of recruitment events or rushes.

For first years, bids can be handed out any time after the second week of classes in the fall. For Second years and above, bids can be handed out at any time. It depends on the fraternity on the length of time to accept or decline a bid as well as when the fraternity will begin the new member process.

The best thing to keep in mind when attending these events is to not let yourself get intimidated. These guys want to be your friend and they genuinely want to get to know you as a person. Simply introduce yourself and relax. All Greeks have been in your shoes once so they understand if you are nervous.

Greek Life Terminology

  • Active—A member of an organization that is initiated and enrolled in school.

  • Bid—An invitation for a potential new member to join a particular organization.

  • Chapter—An individual Greek organization established at a university.

  • Dues—The amount of money paid to a chapter by an active each semester.

  • Fraternity—A men’s organization established through the bonds of brotherhood.

  • Greek—Another name for an organization established by the use of the Greek alphabet, or a member of such an organization.

  • Interfraternity Council (IFC)—The governing body of the men’s fraternities.

  • Initiation—A ceremony in which a student becomes a full member of an organization.

  • Local—An organization whose chapter is only established at one university.

  • National—An organization which has chapters across the nation and has a (inter)national headquarters.

  • New Member/Associate Member—A student who has already received a bid and is going through the new member process, but has not yet been initiated into the organization in order to become a full member (active).

  • New Member Process—The process that a new member must complete to become an active or full member of a Greek organization. Time length varies by organization but generally lasts five to eight weeks usually concluding with a week of close chapter events.

  • Philanthropy—The process of raising money for a specific organization or cause.

  • Preference—An invitation only recruitment event. A chance for a student to express an interest in receiving a bid by that organization.

  • Recruiting—The process of introducing potential new members to the Greek community.

  • Rush/Recruitment Event—An event which an organization sponsors to meet students.

So you have a bid or even multiple bids, now what?

Before making the commitment to join a fraternity, the most important thing to remember is that brotherhood is forever (so it’s a big decision). Wherever you join, these will be your brothers for life, and many will even become lifelong friends. So make sure that you have met as many men as possible in the fraternity before making your decision. For many fraternities, bids last longer than a semester so if you are on the fence, it might be a good idea to wait a semester. No one can tell you when you are ready to join but yourself.

To be eligible to join a fraternity as a first semester first-year student at Michigan Tech, you must have at least a 3.0 high school GPA and be in good academic standing as a student. (For your standing, check www.banweb.mtu.edu, sign in, click the Student Services tab, Student Records, and finally Academic Information.) As a second semester first-year student and above, you need to have a 2.5 cumulative Michigan Tech GPA. Please note that these GPA standards are the Michigan Tech minimums, and that some fraternities choose to have higher GPA requirements.

Once you accept a bid, the new member process (also known as pledging or pledge class) will begin. Each fraternity’s process is different and last different lengths of time. In general, a process can last between five to eight weeks and usually ends with a week of chapter events.

Interested in Learning More?