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Frequently Asked Questions

What is AKPsi?

 

Alpha Kappa Psi is Professional Fraternity, whose purpose is developing well-trained, ethical, skilled, resourceful, experienced business leaders. AKPsi has unique blend of both the positives of a 'professional' fraternity and a 'social' fraternity. This fraternity combines the brotherhood found in Greek life, while providing the prestige, reputation, and professional training that are sought after in the Business world.

 We are the oldest and largest professional business fraternity, and the only business fraternity to have active chapters overseas. Alpha Kappa Psi is recognized as the one of the premier, if not the premier, developer of business leaders at the college level.

AKPsi isn't something to simply put on your résumé during college. What we offer is an experience that you will not find elsewhere. AKPsi offers a brotherhood that lasts a lifetime, memories to cherish, an edge above your peers, and networking that is unsurpassed. Alpha Kappa Psi is a fraternity for life.

 Here at Tulane, we will build an organization synonymous with excellence, putting on professional, service, and social events of the highest caliber.

 

What is a professional fraternity?

 

A professional Fraternity is simply a fraternity that draws it members from a specific field or professional interest. They also have an added purpose to develop their membership in that field.

However, on the most fundamental level, a professional fraternity is still a fraternity, based on brotherhood. Most professional fraternities (like Alpha Kappa Psi) have a very defined rush, pledge, and secret ritual, that all members take part in.

Some of the more prominent professional fraternities (and sororities) include: Sigma Alpha Iota (Music Sorority), Beta Alpha Psi (Accounting and Finance), and Phi Alpha Delta (Law).

 

Why should I join a professional fraternity?

 

By bringing together people that share the same field and interests, and further developing their skills and talents in  that field, they are able to capitalize on networking,  professional development, and furthering every member’s careers and opportunities in that given field. Any recruiter will tell you, it's not what you've learned in a classroom that is important, it is your ability to apply that knowledge. A professional fraternity gives you an opportunity to assume leadership positions and to organize and coordinate events to demonstrate your ability to do just that.

 

Who can join Alpha Kappa Psi?

 

All men and women in good standing enrolled at Tulane University majoring in Business and Economics are eligible to Rush. Alpha Kappa Psi is also open to all students pursuing a Masters of Business Administration at Tulane. If you are interested in Alpha Kappa Psi, and you are not a business major, arrangements can be made. Email us at akpsi@tulane.edu to find out more details.

However, to join, you must receive an invitation from the current Brothers, also called a 'Bid', then complete our Pledge season favorably.

 

I am only a freshman. Can I still join?

 

Yes!

 

What is RUSH?

 

Rush is a series of events hosted by a Fraternity or Sorority to attract and recruit new members. Our Rush consists of Information Sessions, Professional Events, and Social Events. A person 'rushing' a fraternity or sorority is called a 'Rushee' or 'Prospective Member'.

 

There are a lot of RUSH events. What RUSH events should I go to?

 

You should try to attend one Information Session. This will be a good opportunity for you to hear what Alpha Kappa Psi is all about, and it will provide a chance for you to ask whatever questions you may have, and hear questions from other Rushees. After that, you should try to attend as many Social and Professional events as possible, so that you can get to meet the current Brothers, and they can get to meet you. To become a part of AKPsi, a vast majority of the Brotherhood must decide in favor of extending you a bid. If they don't know you, it is less likely they will decide to invite you to join our Brotherhood.

 

What is a 'Bid'?

 

A 'Bid' is an invitation to join a Fraternity or Sorority. It usually is a written invitation.

 

What is a 'Pledge'?

 

A pledge is a person who has accepted their bid, and undergone a ritual conducted by the fraternity. It is quite literally a 'promise' made by the individual to strive to become a full member of the Brotherhood.

 

How do I receive a Bid?

 

To receive a bid, the VAST majority of the Brotherhood has to vote favorably for your admittance to pledge. In order to have the Brotherhood vote favorably on your behalf, it is important that they have had an opportunity to meet you and get to know you. It is therefore recommended to attend as many rush events as possible.

 

Who does Alpha Kappa Psi look for?

 

We are looking for people of the highest caliber that will help this chapter achieve the high goals we have for ourselves. However, more importantly, we are looking for people we want to call 'Brothers.' That is not something easily found on a resume, GPA, etc.

 

If it’s a fraternity, how come women can join?

 

Alpha Kappa Psi was founded as an all male fraternity in 1904, with one of their objectives being to help set up business schools at colleges (there were only 3 or 4 business schools in 1904). The Federal Government was more than happy to assist financially with AKPsi’s mission. In 1976, the Equal Rights in Education Act stated if you ever received federal funds, you could not discriminate on the basis of gender. Thus, Alpha Kappa Psi (and many other professional fraternities) were told either A) disband or B) allow the initiation of women. We picked B. :)

 

Is there a pledge season?

 

Yes. If invited to join our Fraternity, you, along with your pledge brothers, will have to complete a series of events and tasks that are designed to foster a better understanding about the Fraternity, Brotherhood, and Professional Development. Among the tasks required are hosting a professional, service, fundraising, and social event; learning about the history of Alpha Kappa Psi and the Pi Chi Chapter; meeting and bonding with your pledge brothers, and all of the current Brothers in the fraternity; as well as attending a Pledge Retreat.

 

Do you haze?

 

No. All pledge and brother activities are designed to build teamwork, trust, professional development, brotherhood, and most importantly, to make sure you have  and know what is necessary to be a good brother.

 

Are there Dues?

 

Yes. Dues are $210 a semester for Brothers.  However, when you are pledging your dues are  $255 per semester.  There will be ways to lower your dues by securing corporate sponsorship, pledge/brother contests, perfect attendance, etc. Dues are set at this rate to prevent the frustration of weekly bake sales.

 

What do Dues include?

 

Dues will be fairly all encompassing for all intents and purposes. Dues will provide for: 

  • Our biannual Chapter retreat

  • Scholarship funds for Members

  • Member supplies (Member Binders, pledge pins, etc)

  • National Fees & Insurance

  • Chapter Supplies (Ritual materials, Rush materials, advertising, etc.)

  • Our biannual Formal and Semi-formal

  • Member paraphernalia (T-Shirts, hats, jerseys, license plates, etc)

  • Set up costs for any campus party we choose to throw

  • Housing Fund (so we can have a house someday soon!)

  • Professional Activities costs (transportation for tours, thank you notes, etc)

  • Membership in the Chamber of Commerce

What is an example of an AKPsi professional activity?

 

A professional activity is any event that develops one’s knowledge about business. This can include hosting a speaker, tours, discussion panels, or even job fairs. Does this mean that we’re going to have some accountant come talk to us in a monotone voice about something that no one could possibly care about? No. Some examples of professional activities that we have hosted:

  • Chris Miller, Senior Vice President of SmithBarney's Southern Region

  • Crystal Townes, from Tulane's Career Management Center led a Resume Workshop.

Here are some examples from Area Chapters:

  • Hosting Dennis Lausha, Chief Financial Officer of the New Orleans Saints, talking about the business of Football

  • Hosting local night club owners talking about their experiences in New Orleans entrepreneurship.

  • The Owner of New Orleans area Hagan-Daaz Ice Cream parlors

  • Tours of local breweries

  •  Investment workshops

  • And many, many more.

If you don't see an event that appeals to you, come up with one. That's one of the benefits of joining a brand new organization!

 

I am already a member of another Fraternity/Sorority. Can I still join?

 

 Yes. Being that we are a professional fraternity, we do not compete with the social fraternities and sororities. In fact, there are no organizations at Tulane that would bar you from being a member of this fraternity.

 

Why should I be apart of the Pi Chi Chapter, when there are so many other well established business organizations on campus?

 

To put it simply, the other organizations are established. The Pi Chi Chapter is not. This is an opportunity for you, to be a part of something that will be at Tulane for years to come. You can start a tradition that can stay a part of the chapter for the next half century. Imagine you organizing an AKPsi Job Fair this year, and visiting Tulane in 25 years and seeing posters for the 25th Annual AKPsi Job fair. Or coming back years from now and seeing a trinket that you passed down to another member when you graduated still being passed down. The hugest benefit to starting an organization is that you get to shape the direction it takes. You start the legacy. You start the traditions. You leave your mark.

 You can always join someone else’s tradition. How often are you given the opportunity to start your own?

 

 

This FAQ didn't answer any of my questions. What do I do now?

 

Easy. Contact us at this page, or come to one of our informational meetings!

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