Chi Tama Phi Gamma Delta Convention Issue \r\nEa PETES . ee \r\nCHI m TAMA Published by Chi Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta Gilbert W. Tuck and Pierbe M. Hulsart, Jr., Editors Vol. 5, No. 2 APRIL, 1932 Convention Issue EDITORIAL By Gardner "Buddy" Griffith You cannot belong to and live in a fraternity for four years without thinking about just what the fraternity means to you. At times you may feel that it is not justified in its existence, but eventually you cannot help but be forcibly impressed with the in fluence and power the fraternity can have over your life. Our recent Section Convention and Pig Dinner was a striking example of this. A group made up of Alumni, men out of college, to whom the fraternity still means a great deal; active members, young fellows in the midst of things, gladly accepting fraternity responsibilities in their course of daily life and thus binding them selves to the brotherhood; and the freshmen, who have just been initiated, youngsters imbued with enthusiasm which we must not allow to dull. If we could only keep this feeling of the broadness of the fraternity! It is hard sometimes to bring out to the younger members and the men in the house who have outside activities, what an asset this association really is. You, Alumni, can help us. We know you may have gotten out of contact, but it would not be so hard to break through again. Come around when you get a chance—not once, but often! Give us a chance to know you. You can do a lot for us; we can do as much for you. This is not a hidden ap peal for money. The house is in fine shape now. Come around and try to find the catch in it. \r\n \r\nCHI T A M A THE ANNUAL SECTION CONVENTION On the week-end of February 27-28, Chi Chapter had the pleasure of acting as liosts for the annual convention of section three. From each chapter with the exception of Tau Kappa at Toronto came delegates bringing many problems of fraternity life with the idea of finding solutions to those various problems and, also^ with the hope of helping others find solutions to theirs. After the initiation of six Chi pledges, the convention assem bled in tlie recently renovated billiard room for the dispatch of such business as might come before it. Our own Brother Griffith was elected chairman, and Brother R. H. Jordan from Cornell was elected as honorary chairman. The first paper was one entitled. Chapter DiscipUnc and was given in an excellent fasliion by Brotlier Lyons of Theta Psi at Colgate. After a sliort discussion by those assembled Brother Houstle of Cornell read a paper on Schol arship. In the discussion of this phase of fraternity life, we were very fortunate in having Brother Jordan, who is the Chairman of the Permanent Committee of the National Fraternity on Scholar ship, present, to give us both ideas and facts about scholarship in the fraternity world. The third paper was given by Brother Noerling of Syracuse on the ever important subject of Rushing. Alumni aid and co-operation were stressed particularly, but it was pointed out that no set plan could be proposed because of the many different systems in use throughout the country. The last paper to be read was given by Brother Parker of Chi. His topic was The Justification of the American College Fraternity. This is a very broad issue and one upon which nothing very definite can be said. It is true that colleges all over the country are demand ing more and more each day an increased effort from every frater nity for better scholarship and better living. The convention adjourned and met again on Sundav morning wlien a round table discussion directed by Dr. Jordan was held. Sunday noon after dinner in the Chapter house, the delegates be gan to leave for their various schools after having had an enjoy able week-end, as thev say. \r\nCHI TAMA THE ALUMNI CAME HOME! The combination of Initiation, Section Convention, and Pig Dinner, which took place at Chi the week-end of February twentyseventh was the test of alumni interest in the chapter. What a test! They came from everywhere; they poured in Saturday and Sunday for the banquet and round table discussion. It was a treat to see a crowd of men here. No doubt some of us were a bit dis concerted at times by so many unfamiliar faces, but we only wish you would come around more often so we could know you. It is truly a pleasure, gentleman, to present such a list of re turned alumni. Many of them arc constant visitors and we are glad to see them, hut we want more. J. R. Brown, Jr., Chi '03. D. M. Terry, Theta Psi '31. G. E. Young, Sigma Nu '06. F. E. Esmery, Sigma Nu '29. J. M. Hotchkiss, Chi '10. R. S. Gross, Chi '27. W. N. Howard '17. H. Vail, Jr., Sigma Nu '33. E. J. Chaloux, Sigma Nu '34. M. F. Benjamin, Sigma Nu '34. R. J. Swackhainer, Sigma Nu '22. L. T. Stafford, Sigma Nu '23. B. L. Wilson, Sigma Nu '28. R. H. Jordan, Nu Deuteron '93. R. M. Baird, Chi '30. L. Dixey, Kappa Nu '33. R. Jordan, Kappa Nu '33. J. Hiss, Kappa Nu '32. F. K. Davis, Chi. F. C. Bradt, Chi '29. C. H. Bowman, Chi '18. J. W. Wiley, Chi '31. F. R. Lyon, Jr., Theta Psi '33. K. H. Watson, Chi '31. J. de F. Hills, Theta Psi '33. E. G. Revillc, Chi '31. W. D. Roesser, Alpha Phi '26. H. J. Noerling, Jr., Sigma E. B. Campbell, Theta Psi '13. W. J. Fitzpatrick, Kappa Nu D. R. Weeks, Chi '28. Nu '33. '97. L. Higbec, Sigma Nu '32. R. L. Wood, Chi '97. A. Marx, Chi '08. S. F. Mac Millan, Chi '20. W. R. Gilgore, Chi '30. G. P. Dalton, Chi '29. J. S. Forbes, Chi '31. \r\nCHI TA M A FIJI TOMTOMS BEAT FOR INITIATION AND PIG DINNER On February 27th the following men were initiated into the hallowed secrets of our brotherhood: Warren Ackerinan, George Elmendorf, Raymond Girvin '32, Robert Thompson, David Wallis, John Witmer III. In the evening the Pig Dinner was held at the Mohawk Coun try Club. It was attended by a large number of returned alumni. Convention visitors and delegates, and a host of old friends. Brother R. H. Jordan was toastmaster. Red Cross '24, as the main speaker of the evening, brought us some Scotch jokes, or were they Scotch.'^ Other speakers were Raymond J. Girvin '33, Gardner, P. Griffith '32, William Roesser, Alpha Phi '25. We were honored by a talk from our own Augustine Marx '08, former Purple Leg ionnaire. Various delegates gave their impressions of the conven tion and dinner. From the center table, you know the one we mean, much extemporaneous humor, shall we call it, issued. Broth er Froelig sang his immortal Sammy Someihingorother and was joined by an enthusiastic chorus. All together it was a very suc cessful event, and we feel that congratulations are due the commit tee as well as a vote of thanks to all the contributors. REPORT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE- MARCH 3, 1932 At the close of the first semester the college registrar released the marks upon which the freshman requisites were based. From a class of eight we were able to initiate six, two of which were squeezed under the 70% scholarship rating for our fraternity, by averaging together all their actual class marks above passing plus credit given by the office of the registrar for gymnasium and hy giene. Only one man was far below satisfactory so that no chance of initiation was possible. Two of these freshmen are actually on condition within the house and one on condition by the college. The chapter felt that these conditions would be removed success fully so they were allowed initiation. \r\nCHI T A M A A number of men lield averages sufficiently high to be placed on the "Dean's List." The upper classmen also showed a marked rise in scholastic average over previous years. Keep up the good work! WHAT WE DO AND HOW On March 18th the chapter held its annual dance to herald the coming of spring, which like prosperity seemed to be just around the corner. Needless to sa}^ this function as always, was a great success. Our old friend "Irv Doling," su])plied the music, while "Officer Lobby" O'Brien of the Schenectady police force of ficiated at the door. In their respective capacities these boys did their jobs up "brown." It seems however, that the joyous attitude adopted over the coming in of a new season is always short lived, for at the present writing the college is submerged under two feet of snow—Ah me 1 Such is the paradox of spring—Young man's fancy as yet cannot lightly turn to thoughts of baseball and parking. Plans are about completed for the House Party to be held in connection with Prom week-end. May 27th and 28th. On Satur day night the chapter is going to hold a closed dinner dance from 8 to 1. Since this dance will be restricted to members of the chap ter and the alumni we are desirous of having as many alumni back as possible to insure its success. The alumni are urged to com municate with us so that adequate preparations can be made. LOST ALUMNI We ask for any help available in locating the following men whose names disappeared from our files in the last year. C. Graham, Clarence Edmonds, Harold Townsend, R. East erly? George A. Stubbs, Harold Saxton, R. S. Beers, Harold Nadeau, Charles Larel, Willard Spear, James Cass, E. Hulse and William Johnson. \r\nCHI T A. M A SO YOr MAY KNOW Since tlie last issue of tlie Chi Taina, the plans for decorating the Billiard Room have been carried out with remarkable success. It is now one of the most attractive rooms in the house. The floor ing is of waxed, red tile. The walls are cream colored. The ceil ing black "rafters with the intervening spaces cream. Red Florentine dra])es of heavv whipcord are hung on each of the six windows. Four hron/ed chandeliers give anpile light and harmo nize excellently with the other appointments of the room. The furniture is black with blood-red cushions. ■case set into the wall. There is also a book- A radio has been installed. At ])resent, the Billiard Room is fi rst and foremost a card room. The existing mania for "Contract" has found for the brothers a delightful means of recreation, and at almost anv time of the day and night one may find a game going on. The House and Grounds Committee takes this opportunity to thank those of our brothers who have contributed so unselfishly to make the room ])ossible. The general routine of the House and Grounds Committee has not been neglected. tafoF© May 20th JorjE X)INNE.^ DAHCt $2 pef Head \r\n “ERD ScreNEcrapY anT PRESS \r\n \r\n