Zelta Deuteron of Phi Gamma Delt^^ Newsletter 112 Preston Street. Lexington, Va. December 13, 1968 Chapter letter this year in form we feel you can read quickly while remaining in touch with the general picture of Zeta Deuteron Eighteen freshmen pledged in pre-school rush week . . . . one more added in deferred rush . . . fifteen of them played either varsity or freshman football . . . grades are still the big problem with pledging . . . chapter has just begun twohour study halls in dining room every night for all freshmen under "C" average . . . has been tried before, but with stricter rules on behavior we hope to make it more successful . . . chapter truly sees the importance this year of helping pledges with their grades rather than encouraging them to neglect studies with other activities ... it simply makes no sense to lose a single member of chapter from the class which represents the future. Entirely new pledging program initiated this year . . . absolutely no hazing in any form whatsoever . . . no indi vidual duties or demands . . . pledges' only requirement is to farn the fraternity and chapter history, names of all mem bers, and spend two hours a week working on the fraternity house and grounds . . . some problem with older members who miss the "old style", and with the fact that we cannot compel the pledges to work unless they want to; but these disadvan tages are completely overshadowed with the improved tone of friendship which now exists between freshmen and upperclassmen. Financial situaiinn is gradually reaching the desired stability . . . poor administration resulted in seven thousand dollar loss over last two years . . . but second mortgage, al though terribly expensive, has enabled us to begin the pro cess of sound financial managem.ent . . . budget made this year will be strictly adherred to . . . Scholarship jumped from eighteenth (at first semester) last year to eleventh in June . . . Kaz Herchold led all broth ers with straight. A's on his last semester's work at W&L. Seventeen brothers on varsity football team . . . out standing performances over season by junior quarterback Jack Baizley and junior center "Thunder" Thornton . . . Thornton named as tri-captain of next year's squad . . . intra mural football wins school championship on November 26 . . . frosh swimmer John Lawlor looks like he will make a mark in his sport this year at Washington and Lee. rERSlT^ Washington & Lee have been trying to find five men and a replaceF®'^' ^ purple legionaire J. D. Humphries who graduates fi""' ^ school in June . . . chapter needs these advisors and tb® dom of their experience if it is to ever have any sense tinuity or financial responsibility over a long period "f . . . we feel sure alumni would contribute to the chap'®^^^ they knew their monej^ would be managed and controlii this committee of more mature brothers . . . No chapter newsletter would be complete without aword of thanks to Miss Virginia Beckner, our housemother, whose devoted service to the fraternity this past year has been a source of hospitality and pride to us all . . . Brother Peter Youngs currently serving in Vietnam . . . his address: Lt. Peter E. Youngs MAC V-TMA Box 1119 APO 96227 Sincerely yours, ROBERT W. MATHEWS President, Zeta Deuteron chapter of Phi Gamma Delta Why Alumni Relations Considering the last three years, we have had only limit ed success in alumni relations. The fault was basically our apathy during the first two years. Last year, however, your apathy was made apparent. We published expensive news papers and organized an equally expensive Pig Dinner. The alumni response was far from a general response and far from general enthusiasm. We are forced to ask ourselves why we really have alumni relations. Is the function for the alumni to give money in return for our efforts to keep them informed of chapter events and create for them occasions for return to Le.xington? If such is the case, then continued efforts on our part similar to those of last year are financial farces, for we lost money through alumni relations during this period. Is the function to continue brotherhood? If such is the case, then minimal alumni response makes alumni relations strikingly unimportant. Is the function to maintain a correspondence center through which brothers may contact each other? If such is the case, then we are presently doomed to be ineffective. Last year's questionnaire sent to all alumni furnished us with the status and verified address of perhaps fifty Upcoming social events for those of you planning a visit: pmpag'nes December 4; Fancy Dress Feb. 2. Membership now totals 53, 19 freshmen, 8 sophomores, 14 juniors, 12 seniors . . . new initiates this fall were Smith, Doxey, Blood, Mabaffey, Mescal. Several changes in physical plant — individuals contri brothers. buted to buy a pool table which is now in the den beside the What do you think our function should be? Do you feel stairs . . . TV was moved to basement, where the bar was we should indeed request money but be more specific about removed and a rug, through donation from the mothers' club, its use? Should we merely furnish fraternity news and be was placed on the floor . . . preparations for rush week In content that those irrteves-ted wiL sn~-'w xvspoilse; cluded paneling of front hall and from the baseboard down renew our efforts of last year and expect response and su... in the living room . . . Administration seems to realize that Washington and Lee may truly need fraternities despite anti-fraternity faculty feelings for the most part ... yet future of fraternities 'Thr„"wS«ei"wm answer the question for us. We fra ternally ask that you all reply to our " j In this way we oan compile statistics an p ^^|ere will most definitely rest on the final opinion of the possible. ages which will indicate to us just what our fhnf"" ^diversity's administration regardless of what the students be. If the response is minimal- our reaction will be likewise. feel . . . rulings on sophomore dorms will come in the If you display a desire for our services, we will furnish them next year . . . rulings on sophomore dorms will come in the accordingly. near future and will greatly affect fraternities' status ... . . . no rrvo To those , of you who respond positively even though y doubt fraternities will need alumni support in securing not be in the minority, we will do all we can for you. A nega- merely the status quo, but their proper long-range function tive response will generate just that. We look forward to at Washington and Lee. Annual Christmas party for children will be held just before we leave for vacation . . . should be, as usual, a good time for children of all ages. Desperate need for Board of Chapter Advisors here . . . your letters. DAVID K. HIGGINS Alumni Relations Chairman Box 32 Lexington, Virginia 24450