FAQs

Why is there a learning community in a fraternity?
The DU Fraternity and the EILC have established this partnership because they have common goals for students: leadership, scholarship, networking, engagement on campus, and innovative thinking. The relationship between these two programs going forward will be largely driven by the members of this first year partnership program. Be a part of something new and help design the program for the future!

What exactly is the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Learning Community?
The "EILC" is an experiential learning community program that provides students the opportunity to learn entrepreneurial concepts, interact with business owners and experts in their field, go on field trips, participate in innovation and creativity exercises, participate in networking activities, and meet one-on-one with a mentor. The ONLY required course is Bus Ad 292, the EILC seminar course, which meets once per week on Tuesday mornings from 9:30-10:45 am. The class will meet this year in the DU House chapter room. Entrepreneurial skills and education benefit students from any major.

Tell me more about the DU Chapter at Iowa State? What is its history?
Delta Upsilon, officially founded at Iowa State in 1913, has a vision to be the premier men’s fraternity committed to Building Better Men for a global society through service, leadership development, and lifelong personal growth of our diverse membership. A full history of DU at ISU may be found at www.isudu.org/isu-chapter-history.

Can I be a member of the Entrepreneurship Learning Community but not the DU Fraternity?
The DU Fraternity and the EILC are integrated, but participation in both is not required. Members of the learning community need only apply for the program online (www.isupjcenter.org/ELC) and register for the weekly seminar course (BusAd292).

Can I be a member of the DU Fraternity but not the EILC?
The DU Fraternity and the EILC are integrated, but participation in both is not required. To learn more about becoming a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity, contact Jami Larson at jlarson101@aol.com or Ryan Betters at rbetters@iastate.edu.

Can women join the DU Fraternity?
Fraternity membership is limited to male members of the house. However, the DU Fraternity is a non-secret fraternity, so female EILC students are not excluded from fraternity activities and information. The house and EILC are co-ed - males and females are invited to live at the house and participate in the program.

Does it cost a lot of money to live in a fraternity house?
Fraternity house living typically costs less than traditional student housing on campus. Plus you have the added benefits of custom-prepared food, scholarships, service learning activities, and the opportunity to live with individuals who will likely be lifelong friends of yours! Living in a fraternity house is a very affordable option for students.

What if I already signed an ISU Residence Department contract?
The Greek System has an arrangement with the Department of Residence allowing students who have signed a residence contract to cancel that housing contract on or before August 1st without penalty. After August 1st, however, canceled contracts are subject to a significant room and board penalty.

I am concerned that if I am involved in a fraternity or learning community that I will be too busy for my academic work.
On the contrary, it has been documented that students who are involved in a fraternity and/or learning community graduate with a higher GPA and higher level of satisfaction with their educational experience than students who are not engaged in these programs.

Where will I eat if I live in the house?
The DU Fraternity will have an in-house chef preparing fresh, homemade meals for residents based on a budget prepared by the members of the house. The food will be affordable, healthy, and delicious!

Is this program available to students who are not incoming freshmen?
Yes, both the DU Fraternity and the Entrepreneurship Learning Community are open to students of any major, freshmen through seniors. Transfer students, male or female, are welcome to join the EILC and live at the Delta Upsilon Fraternity house.

What if I am new to campus? What resources are available to me?
One great reason to be involved in a fraternity or learning community is to have the opportunity to live and interact with students from a variety of majors, many of whom are experienced students. Peers will share information with other members about campus life, activities, and courses, and campus resources.

Who is in charge of the house?
The DU house is owned by a group of investors who also happen to be proud ISU DU Alumni. They will be your landlord. Living in the house with you will be several peer mentors and leaders including a live-in graduate student and three undergraduate peer mentors. Additional leadership roles will be assigned in the fall for members of the fraternity. Members of the house are responsible for the house and its programs (cleaning, finances, etc.), so you will experience leadership training at its best!

How active will DU be in the ISU Greek Community the first year? How exactly is a colony different from a full chapter?
Although Delta Upsilon Fraternity is one of Iowa State’s oldest fraternities (first chartered in 1913), the Chapter has chosen to re-colonize in order to create a new membership focus and this new relationship with the EILC. Members of the DU Fraternity will be able to participate in all ISU Greek Community activities (Homecoming, Varieties, VEISHEA, Greek Week, etc). We intend to become an "official" DU Chapter in the spring of 2012, when we have at least 30 members and a grade point average higher than the all-university average.

What does it mean to pledge?
Pledging a fraternity is the formal process of being asked by the active undergraduate membership of an ISU Greek Fraternity to become a member of its brotherhood. If a written "bid" is extended by the fraternity to a "potential new member" and the student accepts the bid, then the student is registered as a member of the Greek community and Delta Upsilon International Fraternity. The "associate member" gets to know the entire membership of Delta Upsilon, learns about the history and culture of the fraternity, and then is asked to become an "active member" of Delta Upsilon.

What are the rooms like in the house? Where do I park my car?
All of the rooms in the DU House are being renovated this summer to accommodate 40 individuals. Room options include 2-person study rooms (with large or small separate sleeping area), 2-person suites (with bed and private bath), or a 1-person suite (with bed and private bath). Twenty (20) parking spaces are available at the house.

I have more questions. Whom should I contact?
EILC: Judi Eyles, Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, 515.296.6754, eyles@iastate.edu
DU:    Ryan Betters, DU Recruitment Chair, 515.537.5538, rbetters@iastate.edu or
           Jami Larson, DU Alumni Advisor, 515-451-4350, jlarson101@aol.com

Or visit us online www.isudu.org   www.isupjcenter.org/ELC