If you are interested in Rushing for Deke come by the house, or contact our Rush Chairman Zach Johnson at (416) 305-1335

What is "Rush"?

Rush can either refer to a period in which fraternities and sororities accept new members, or can describe a person who is interested in joining fraternities and sororities.

Who is eligible to join Deke?

Our fraternity is constitutionally open only to those who meet the following criteria:
1. Registration as a full-time (3.5 or more courses) student at the University of Toronto
   (All campuses) or Osgoode Hall.
2. Male (Sororities are available for womem)
3. A Possession of character and values arguably pursuant to the Objects of Delta Kappa Epsilon.
4. A sense of humour.

What is Deke all about?

Our purpose is multi-faceted, although it can seem deceptively simple. Day to day, we're not unlike any other social organization you might join at U of T - We hang around, go to classes together, watch movies, talk about women, and generally do all the things you'd expect any group of young guys to do. Social events with sororities, massive parties, road trips and event nights (Sports, paintball etc.) are also an essential component of our lives.

On a deeper level, however, Deke is also a highly structured network of educated men who work to enhance the quality of life for each other socially, academically and professionally. This commitment extends beyond your undergraduate years into a lifetime of associations with thousands of members spanning chapters across North America.

There is much, much more, but in a nutshell: Deke exists to help its members excel at every phase of their lives through friendships that are both deep and equitable, while nonetheless maintaining a social and moral conscience befitting the leaders of tomorrow.

Don't you have to pay money to be in a fraternity? Isn't it like buying your friends?

No. Membership in Delta Kappa Epsilon is by invitation only, which means that if the house doesn't feel you'll be compatible as a genuine friend to the members of the house, you won't be asked to join. We will not ask men who are incompatible with Deke to become a part of our organization both for their benefit and ours. There are many fraternities on campus, and if your aim is to join one, there is probably one that is right for you and worth the dues you will pay. Furthermore, the dues that active members do pay are put into a fund that ultimately returns to them in the form of the social activities paid for by that same endowment - We are a non-profit organization. The question to ask your self, then, is "Would these guys spend my money the same way I would?" If you're a typical college student, then the answer is almost certainly yes, and by combining our resources financially we are able to secure a great deal more of these things than any of us could alone.

So this isn't just a U of T thing?

No way. Delta Kappa Epsilon is an international fraternity with over seventy chapters in the United States and Canada, all of which a member can call home whenever he visits. Ours is a brotherhood which spans both around the world and back in time to it's founding in 1844. Past Dekes include five Presidents of the United States, including it's current one (George W. Bush), a Premier of Ontario, Canadian Cabinet Ministers as well as many major figures in commerce, art and science.

My student handbook states that fraternities are not recognized by the university.
Is it because you're a bunch of animals?

No. The reason we are not recognized by the University is because our organization is exclusively open to men and therefore discriminates on the basis of sex. Despite this distinction, however, Deke easily represents one of the most ethnically, politically and religiously diverse organizations at U of T. Unlike many "Official" university clubs, which technically allow all to join and then market themselves exclusively to specific sections of the student body, Deke does not explicitly prescribe itself to any group. We measure a man strictly according to his merits and nothing more.

As well, our property is privately owned by the fraternity, and we are thus not subject to the rules which typically regulate conduct in student residences.

So you guys have a frat house?

Of course! The Deke Mansion is located at 157 St. George Street (Two blocks north of St. George and Bloor) and was bought by the fraternity decades ago from the Eaton family for a single dollar (They didn't want to pay the property taxes.) Our house features a TV room with stadium-style seating, satellite dish, surround sound and DVD capability. We also have a full-sized billiards table, foosball, ping-pong, a DJ booth, dining room, massive kitchen with gas-range stove, and much more. As a member of Deke, the house is yours to use freely in whatever time or capacity you wish.

What kind of commitment am I looking at if I join?

Every brother in DKE decides their own level of involvement, and those who choose to contribute more than others are not superior in any way - They just enjoy it. The only things that all active members of a chapter are committed to do is undergo a pledging and initiation process and, following their induction into full membership, attend weekly chapter meetings on Monday nights. These last about an hour and can be occasionally missed.

Sounds interesting. What can I do to get involved?

Deke is open to prospective members at any time during the school year. We have a lot of great events going on specifically for the purpose of welcoming you into our house, including bar nights, sports, games and sorority exchanges. We invite you to come by and visit any evening. You'll be welcomed at the door with a handshake and a beer… That's the Deke way.