Pledge Fees

If you are not familiar with the Greek system, often there are many misconceptions about overall costs of being in a fraternity. Many have heard that the costs are very unreasonable and that this makes the Greek experience available to only a few. This really is not true - overall costs of living in a fraternity are very comparable to costs of living in the dorms or off campus in an apartment. But the benefits of living in a fraternity, like Delta Upsilon, are far superior to other campus living experiences.

Delta Upsilon prides itself on being one of the most fiscally responsible among fraternities at OU. We only charge fees that are absolutely necessary to cover the cost of operating the fraternity.

There are one-time fees associated with pledging a fraternity and these must be collected during the first semester. Total one-time pledge fees at Delta Upsilon are $800. This makes Delta Upsilon one of the best fraternity values on campus. The first installment of $100 is due within five days of signing with DU. This covers the mandatory Delta Upsilon International assessment for any new pledge and covers other miscellaneous registration costs of initial membership. The balance of $700 is due in two payments; each approximately 4 weeks apart. These costs primarily cover the balance of mandatory assessments to the International Fraternity with the balance helping to defray a small part of the operation of the Delta Upsilon chapter.

All pledge fees must be paid in full prior to initiation. Initiation is typically held in early November.

The Chapter's social committee will assess the pledges an additional social fee to cover costs of events, such as their annual fall formal (Feudal Dinner). These are paid directly by the pledge to the Chapter's social committee.

Parents need to recognize that these are initial costs that occur during the first year of membership. Second semester fees tend to be a little less. Once a member moves into the fraternity house for his sophomore and junior years, the cost of living in and belonging to the fraternity is very competitive with the dorm costs or off campus apartments. Currently, the cost of living in the DU House (with its added amenities such a free phone, cable TV, and wireless internet) is cheaper than the dorms.

All members accept the obligation to support the fraternity by living in the DU House for four semesters. Members and alumni will tell you that living in the house was one of the best, most memorable, and most rewarding experiences of their undergraduate college experience.

The Chapter provides the flexibility to charge fees to Master Card or Visa in order to make the required payment easier.

Other than for the Chapter's social assessment, the $800 pledge fee is complete. We encourage rushees and parents to compare our cost of membership with others. Delta Upsilon remains an outstanding value.