Member Education

Beta Theta Pi rejects hazing as a part of fraternity life and instead emphasizes an educational experience which is morally uplifting and intellectually stimulating. The Beta ritual should be the critical ingredient of a distinctive and enduring lifelong experience of brotherhood.

Instruction of new members should include a knowledge of the history, lore and laws of the Fraternity to prepare them for active membership. Initiation marks the beginning of many years of continued education and emphasis on living Beta’s principles and obligations.

All new member supplies, as well as initiation equipment, may be purchased on BetaSpirit.com. To purchase initiation equipment, including ritual robes, please click on the “Chapter Orders” option on the second of the two top navigation bars. Then enter your email address along with Beta’s Guardian Spirit’s name in the subsequent text fields. After that, click on the “Submit” button. If this is your first time using BetaSpirit.com, you may need to resister. To register, click on the “New User Registration” option and complete all pertinent fields. Once you’ve entered your name and the Beta’s Guardian Spirit’s name, locate “Ritual Items” on the left-side navigation and select the item you are interested in. If you have any questions, please contact Martin Cobb or BetaSpirit.com customer service at 877.471.5410.

Positive Pledge Education Assessment

What is PPEA? The Positive Pledge Education Assessment (PPEA) is designed to support and promote the safety and quality of the pledging experience of the undergraduates in Beta Theta Pi. Chapters are required to submit their program for assessment at the discretion of their district chief. If required to do so, a chapter will compile and submit all pledging/new member education related materials (including programs, manuals, quizzes, activities, etc.) to the district chief by a set date. The district chief will then review, provide the chapter with feedback for the chapter to incorporate and resubmit, and continue this process until the district chief feels it is certifiable. Note: certification of the written program does not certify implementation of the written program.

PPEA Certification Checklist

If you have any questions, please contact Director of Chapter Services Austin Marple at 800.800.BETA.

New Member Education

Beta’s mission is to develop men of principle for a principled life. As the Fraternity welcomes new members into our brotherhood, it is critical that we provide them a positive, safe and productive education process. To assist our chapters, the Fraternity has developed the following sample programs that incorporate some of the best activities and Beta stories from across its chapters. This program offers suggestions for local customization and covers Beta lore, Beta songs and Beta’s five core values. Chapters may choose to use the five-week or the eight-week program outlined below. Chapters and colonies are strongly urged to put together a New Member/Pledge binder for all new members. This resource should outline campus policies, dues, Beta membership expectations and other similar items. Here is an example.

New Member Program Resources

The following resources are made available by the General Fraternity for each chapter to download and use as a part of the new member program. Chapters are welcome to customize the resources to add or edit where appropriate for local use.

Beta Brotherhood Assessment: Chapter Report Facilitation Guide
Beta Brotherhood Assessment: Chapter Report Overview Presentation
Big Brother Certification – Facilitation Guide
Big Brother Certification Handout
Big Brother Certification Video #1
Big Brother Certification Video #2
Honor Code – Active Member
Honor Code – New Member
Honor Code – VP of Education
Parent Welcome Letter
Privileges and Responsibilities of Membership