Welcome!
As a current or prospective parent of a UMKC student and brother of Sigma-Rho Zeta, we want you to know that we are committed to providing an outstanding undergraduate experience for your son and believe that what we offer is unequaled on our campus. This commitment extends from the physical environment of the chapter house to opportunities for involvement and personal development; form lots of healthy good times to access to a network of alumni mentors which is the most extensive in the Greek World. Here are some things that we want you to know about Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and about our UMKC Chapter that we think you will find helpful and informative.
Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity
Lambda Chi Alpha is one of the largest fraternities, recognized as a consistent leader with chapters on nearly 300 campuses across the United States and Canada. The fraternity headquarters are located in Indianapolis with a large, professional, full-time staff that provides leadership, development, and supervision for the fraternity's many programs and activities, including a large, endowed Educational Foundation that regularly provides undergraduate and graduate scholarships. The fraternity's position of prominence is based on a history of unparalleled growth and many firsts: the first national fraternity to open membership to men from all races, ethnic backgrounds, and religious traditions; the first national fraternity to ban hazing and to replace pledgeship with our Associate Member program, which guarantees every new brother respect, equal treatment, and full access to all of the fraternity's opportunities; the first national fraternity to offer developmentally focused educational programming in values-based leadership and individual maturation; and the only national fraternity to develop an assessment initiative to evaluate the impact of efficacy of its programs. Lambda Chi Alpha also provides the largest alumni mentoring program in the Greek World to enhance educational and professional opportunities, even after graduation and supports the largest one-day philanthropy event among all fraternities and sororities through its annual North American Food Drive.
Chapter House
Sigma-Rho Zeta is located at 5239 Rockhill Road; right across the street from UMKC's main campus. The house has 10 bedrooms, both double and single rooms available, and 5 bathrooms. Chapter house accommodations include pool room, 2 study rooms, Chapter lounge, washer and dryer, 2 full kitchens and one half kitchen. Chapter house residents lease is 12 months, from may to may the next year, and rent is fixed (includes utilities!).
Cost
All IFC chapters at UMKC will have similar costs with different price breakdowns. Please contact James Walker (Chapter President) for the updated chapter dues and billing breakdown (and feel free to ask any other questions as well).
Our Chapter also offers several scholarships for both new and active members, as well as offering discounts to all members who excel in their collegiate acadmics.
Academic Programs
Academic Programs focus on enhanced scholarship and educational competence with workshops on study skills, a comprehensive tutor program, regular meetings with our faculty advisor, an academic performance recognition program, access to local and national scholarships, and a variety of experiences to promote cultural awareness and facility in dealing with our multicultural world. Academics should be your child's number one focus while in college. Since obtaining a degree is the main reason for attending college, each member is expected/required to keep up his grades if he wants to participate in our organization.
Currently we hold the #2 GPA among all fraternities at UMKC. For new members, our chapter is offering 5, $200 scholarships to outstanding new UMKC students for the upcoming fall semester. We also reward initiated members who achieve a GPA of 3.50 or higher with an automatic $50 discount off their dues each semester. Active members are also eligible for other scholarships at the chapter level including the Scott Thompson Outstanding Undergraduate Award ($500) and the Eagle Award for Academic Excellence ($400).
Hazing
Hazing has absolutely no place in Lambda Chi Alpha. However, Lambda Chi Alpha's definition of hazing and harassment activities - activities which are not permitted under any circumstances - is the most broad among all fraternities. In Lambda Chi Alpha, hazing is defined as "any action taken or situation created intentionally to produce physical discomfort or mental discomfort by embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule." Additionally, Lambda Chi Alpha considers pledgeship hazing, and pledgeship hazing is a program which dwells on the separation of initiated members and pledges with a primary emphasis on subservience. Within our definition of hazing, separation between associate members and initiates is not allowed because an associate versus initiate concept is in direct conflict with the goal of fraternity education and Lambda Chi Alpha. The key is unity.
Hazing is degrading, dangerous, and contrary to that which our Fraternity stands. It serves no useful purpose, is criticized by all thoughtful persons, and is extremely poor with public relations. You may already be aware that this concept and our fraternity education program are unique among fraternities, although some fraternities on campus may have similarities. You may also be aware of pledges of other fraternities who must undergo a period of "pledge training" or "pledge education" before being permitted to participate fully in the affairs of the fraternity. And, there are pledge activities that may be common in other fraternities but which are not allowed in Lambda Chi Alpha:
- -No separate meetings for associate members.
- -No tests or quizzes of associate members.
- -No separate dress codes for associate members.
- -No separate work responsibilities for associate members.
- -No associate member "class officers."
- -No kidnapping of any members.
- -No walk-outs, associate member retreats, or other activities which separate the associate members from initiates.
- -No verbal or physical abuse of members by other members.
- -No use of the term "class" or the function of a class system within the chapter.
Time Commitment
On average, our members should expect to contribute two to four hours per week for meetings and mandatory activities. If your son has the time, he may also choose to participate in optional activities, such as holding an office, attending social events, helping out with various projects, etc.
Social Programs
Social programs provide varied opportunities for interaction and good times, often in collaboration with sororities and other campus organizations. Recent events have included: cookouts; theme parties; ice skating mixer; our annual fraternity formal dance; and our campus-wide Watermelonfest, which also raises money for our fraternity philanthropy.