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Fraternity

Tau Kappa Epsilon, Alpha Chapter

TKE logo

Mission Statement

Vision
Tau Kappa Epsilon creates lifelong relationships that enhance educational, interpersonal, community and professional success.

Mission
Our mission is to aid men in their mental, moral, and social development for life.

Purpose
TKE contributes to the advancement of society through the personal growth of our members, and service to others

Creed

  • To Believe in love and loyalty to my College, my Fraternity, my Country, and my God;
  • To Believe in the worthiness and dignity of my fellow man, and judge him solely upon his personal worth and character;
  • To Believe with fidelity in the traditions and ideals of my Fraternity, and upon my sacred honor, to uphold them;
  • To Believe in the constant search for truth, and through it, to seek the goal of wisdom;
  • To Believe in the life based upon integrity, justice, sincerity, patience, moderation, culture, and challenge in order to serve as a responsible, mature member of society;
  • To Believe in the cardinal principles of Love, Charity, and Esteem and to use them to guide my life;
  • To Believe in my Fraternity as a brotherhood of gentlemen in perpetual quest of excellence as a way of life.

 

Fast Facts

Number of Active Chapters: 251

National Founding Date: January 10, 1899

National Founding Location: Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL

IWU Founding Date: January 10, 1899

Organization Colors: Crimson Lake Cherry and Pure Silver Gray

Organization Flower: Red Carnation

Symbol: Equilateral Triangle

Local Chapter Website: http://www.tke.org/chapter/101

International Headquarters Website: http://www.tke.org/

 

 

Grade Point Average Requirements:

To Join (First-Years):2.500
To Join (Continuing):2.550
Good Standing (Active Members):
To Live In House: 2.000

Does your chapter require/offer study hall hours?

Please describe any assistance or programming that your chapter provides to support the academic achievement for your members.

If a member falls below the required GPA, how does your chapter help them? N/A

Cost for First Year of Membership* $550
Cost (per year) for Additional Years* $940
Room (per year)** $5,926
Board (per year)**  $3,520

*Based on 2014-15 fees supplied by the chapter
**Room and Board Fees are the same as living on campus due to facility ownership by IWU

Additional Costs and Fees

In the event that our chapter house occupancy is below 100%, members are charged an under-capacity fee by the University. The under-capacity fee is determined by dividing the charges for unfilled capacity spots ($500/space/semester) among the members who were eligible to have lived in the chapter house, regardless of residency. The 2017-18 under-capacity fee for TKE is estimated at $500 per semester. Please note, this amount is subject to change based on changes in membership as it is billed on a semester basis.

Any unclaimed common area damages in the chapter facility are divided equally among all chapter residents and exterior key holders. The total common area damage for Fall 2017 was $93.38. The total unclaimed common area damage fees for Fall 2017 was $7.56 per resident.

Chapter Capacity: 33

Residency Type: Single, Double, and Triple Rooms, Single Suites

Policies: As part of the IWU residential requirement, our members live in during their sophomore year.  Most residents will live in house for two years unless we are over capacity, in which case members with more seniority have the option of living out of the house.

Meal Plans: Residents are required to board with Sodexo, IWU's Dinning Services. Meal plan options may be found on their website.

National Philanthropy: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Alzheimer's Association

National Service Project: None

Local Philanthropy Events and Service Projects: 

Required Service Hours and Donations: 

Length:

Hours Per Week:

No chapter, colony, student or alumnus shall conduct or condone hazing activities. Hazing activities are defined as: "Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule." Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside of the confines of the chapter house; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities, and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution, or applicable state law.

 

The Illinois Wesleyan chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon was the the first TKE chapter to be founded, and through our chapter's example Tau Kappa Epsilon has grown into the world's largest international fraternity. Over the years, Alpha Chapter has been an example of brotherhood and service to both, Illinois Wesleyan and the surrounding community. At Illinois Wesleyan brothers of the Alpha Chapter have the opportunity to walk the very same grounds as the founders of their fraternity.

For a more detailed account of our history, please visit the history page on our international headquarters website.