Delta Tau Delta - Indiana University

The Shield • Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Tau Delta Page 2 S ince the 1960s, academic performance was never a priority for Beta Alpha. In my day, the only grade requirement for initiation was a 2.0 in the semester that one pledged. There were several instances where someone made a motion to require that number be moved to 2.2 or 2.3. Other Delt chapters set higher minimums, but Beta Alpha was not so inclined. As a result, during the '70s, we were perennially in the bottom third of all fraternities on campus and well below the all -men's average. I was gratified to see in a 2015 issue of The Shield that the chapter average had climbed to 3.0 for the previous semester. (Little did I know that 3.0 still had us in the bottom third of all fraternities…) Thankfully, in the 21st century, grades are seen as more important than they were to us in the '70s. Indiana University requires that anyone wanting to sign up for Greek recruiting must have at least a 2.8 in high school. For our recruiting efforts last fall, we required at least 3.0. Once our colony was established, the minimum GPA necessary for initiation was 2.9; this is also required in subsequent semesters to avoid academic probation. Any member who fails to obtain a 2.9 as a semester average is automatically on academic probation, must step down from any office or directorship, and is required to meet with the academic team to establish a plan to remedy the situation. The thinking is that we don't do our brothers any favors when we don't put proper emphasis on academics. This emphasis on academics resulted in a colony GPA for the fall semester of 3.37, placing us fifth among 25 IFC chapters on campus. There were only 11 members who failed to get a 2.9 or better, and the academics team is working with these members and the spring new member class to make sure that we maintain those high standards. The campus has a study skills office, the Student Academic Center, which has programs that are time-tested to help students with study difficulties. Last semester, we hosted a favorably reviewed SAC presentation for new members and any members who did not make grades. One of the members signed up for an eight-week study course; results to follow. Fraternally, Ken Glass '76 (317) 590-6925 krgh2oski@aol.com Prioritizing ACADEMICS 21 21 st st Century RetuRning to RetuRning to the LittLe 500 the LittLe 500 B efore the recruiting process started, Ken Glass '76 scheduled a meeting in mid-July with the five members of the JETBLACH bike team who won the 2021 race. As most of you know, the JETBLACH team started with the Delts who won the 2016 race and wanted to race again in 2017, despite the fact that Delts were off campus. Probably, mostly due to the efforts of former bike rider Rob Hudson '89, the team stayed together and recruited their successors as members graduated. Again, through the efforts of Rob, Beta Alpha alumni supported the JETBLACH team throughout the suspension. Unlike the Cutters, who started out as former Delta Chi riders but lost that affiliation and recognition, JETBLACH was known by all associated with Little 500 throughout our suspension as affiliated with Delta Tau Delta. The purpose of the meeting was to formally let the team members know that Beta Alpha was coming back to campus and that we were hopeful that JETBLACH would want to be part of the colony and ultimately be initiated into Delta Tau Delta. It is interesting to note that before that Saturday 2:00 meeting, the riders went on a 70-mile bike ride. The team was receptive to our invitation to participate in the recruiting when it started. Ultimately, each rider received a bid and accepted. Anyone who has been involved with Little 500 knows that it takes talent and luck to win the race, but with this team, we had to be one of the favorites. The qualifications for this year's race were held after spring break, and our team qualified 11th. The race took place on Saturday, April 22, and the team finished second by .132 seconds. The Delts were in the hunt throughout the race, avoiding the first two wrecks in the second turn that involved eight bikes and then 15 bikes. The SigEps took the lead and made a break to attempt to lap the pack with three-fourths of the race to go. It took almost 50 laps, but after a concerted effort made by the Cutters, Delts, and Chi Alpha (I think), they caught up to the SigEp riders and it looked like there would be four teams in the lead lap vying for the victory. With about 25 laps to go, however, a bike crashed right in front of Josh Herbst '24 for Delts and we all feared that would end our chances. Josh picked himself up and got on the bike and caught back up to the leaders. There were two or three exchanges after he caught up, and with a few laps left, Josh was back on the bike for the greatest chess match I have ever seen on the track. Those now five bikes on the lead lap were turning the slowest laps of the entire race as they jockeyed for position. The Cutters rider took off with the other riders right behind. Unfortunately, the Cutters rider won by that .132-second margin. Hats off to our entire bike team for their extreme dedication to the intense training. Well done to all: Josh Herbst, Jack Lloyd '25, Jon Petersen '25, Brady Jarosinski '25, Blake Kottlowski '23, and Ben Nordstrom '26. IN THE

• Cover