[theta.tau] pi chapter

Founded May 26, 1923, Pi Chapter is one of the oldest existing chapters of Theta Tau. Our primary goal at the University of Virginia is to develop engineers professionally, mentally, and socially. Pi Chapter embodies the UVA college experience; we strive for excellence in our schoolwork while still having tons of fun. We uphold decades of tradition and secrecy through meetings, pledging, and chapter-wide activities.

Pi Chapter maintains a small but dedicated network of alumni, and we have an outstanding alumni advisor here in Charlottesville. This network provides great opportunities to our members to help them develop in the workplace. We provide real-world advice in many job-related topics, primarily résumé and interview support.

As a member of the Atlantic region of Theta Tau, Pi Chapter is close to nearly a dozen schools with thriving engineering student bodies and active Theta Tau chapters. We meet semesterly with these chapters in a huge regional conference to discuss engineering topics, job market happenings, and throw some massive parties.

Most of all, Pi Chapter aims to give back to the community. In the past, we have hosted blood drives, assisted the University of Virginia concessions staff, pushed for a Canstruction food drive, and assisted with Habitat for Humanity in Charlottesville. Pi Chapter's membership represents every engineering discipline, and brothers assist each other with schoolwork and professional experience.

If you're excited by the prospect of joining the largest and most networked engineering fraternity in the world, we'd love to have you! Look out for our spring or fall rush schedules, or feel free to contact us.

Nationally founded at the University of Minnesota in 1904, Theta Tau is the largest (as well as the oldest) professional fraternity in the field of engineering. Over 30,000 students have been initiated over the years. With emphasis on quality and a strong fraternal bond, the Fraternity has chapters only at ABET accredited schools, and limits the number of student members in any one of its chapters across the nation to seventy.

Theta Tau carefully follows a program in the selection and development of its members that stresses the importance of high professional ethics and exemplary practices. Within each chapter, the Fraternity stimulates professional activity and social compatibility; provides a framework for group participation in campus, community, engineering, and fraternity affairs; and promotes lasting friendships - a lifetime of brotherhood in an engineering environment.

The Fraternity presents awards for outstanding personal and chapter achievements. Guidance and publications are provided by the Central Office to help members with professional development. A huge network of alumni provide innumerable opportunities to graduating students.

Through national conferences and conventions, there is an annual opportunity to associate with fraternity brothers (students and alumni) from chapters across the nation.

Co-educational? As in, both guys and girls?
Yep! We may be labeled a fraternity, but it's the two-gender version that we're classified as. We accept and welcome men and women as members.

Can I join Theta Tau even if I'm in another fraternity or group?
Yes, with some caveats. We allow all Brothers to be members of other fraternities, sororities, or organizations, with exceptions to our rival engineering fraternities and organizations:

• ΑΧΣ - Alpha Chi Sigma
• ΑΩΕ - Alpha Omega Epsilon
• ΑΡΧ - Alpha Rho Chi
• ΚΗΚ - Kappa Eta Kappa
• φΣΡ - Phi Sigma Rho
• ΣΒΕ - Sigma Beta Epsilon
• ΣΦΔ - Sigma Phi Delta
• ΣΡ - Sigma Rho
• Scarab
• Triangle
• Trigon Engineering Society

Are there any other requirements for membership?
There are some, but nearly all UVA engineering students satisfy them. Prospective members must be at least 18 years old, enrolled in an engineering-related curriculum leading to a B.S. or higher, must have an overall GPA at least high enough to graduate, and may not be in the first or last semester of his academic program. You'll have to pay a pledging fee, and you can't be in any of our rival organizations (see above).

Doesn't "not in their first or last semester" mean that first-year students can't pledge in the fall?
Actually, first years are welcome to pledge in the fall. We do not initiate brothers in the fall, however. Pi Chapter has a semesterly rush; that is, we have one pledge class in the fall, and another in the spring. The fall pledge class, however, is initiated into Brotherhood early in the following spring semester. In this way, we preserve the traditional pledging process and are able to initiate first year members in both the fall and spring. Spring pledges are initiated at the end of the spring semester.

Do you charge dues?
Yes. Like almost all other fraternities on grounds, Pi Chapter does charge semesterly dues. Currently they are set at $200/semester. Our dues are significantly lower than other social fraternities, and we have our sights set higher. We are still a very social group, but also offer professional and educational advancement. Dues money is distributed to pay our national office for material and insurance costs, and then to fund our chapter rush, pledging, and community service activities. Theta Tau brotherhood is lifelong; you are only required to pay dues until you graduate, and once you graduate, you are a Brother forever.

Are there other chapters of Theta Tau at other schools?
Yes! In fact, in the atlantic region alone (the region that Pi Chapter is a member of), there are 7 fully initiated chapters and 3 colonies that will become full chapters within the year! There are chapters at NC State, George Washington, ODU, VCU, UNC-Charlotte, and Virginia Tech, and there are colonies at George Mason, Johns Hopkins, and UMD-College Park. Each semester all atlantic region groups get together and throw down while hosting a conference to discuss the fraternity and engineering at-large. The sheer amount of networking available through Theta Tau is staggering!

Networking? As in jobs?
YES! Theta Tau alumni support is very strong, and a number of brothers are happy to assist with the job search. Theta Tau holds internal résumé workshops and interview sessions, and we have brothers constantly helping each other in finding job opportunities.

Awesome! Where do I sign up?
Check out our Rushing and Pledging page for more information on joining Theta Tau!

If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us!