$25,000 Raised, DKE Searches for House

More than five months after establishing a “colony” of the international fraternity Delta Kappa Epsilon at Harvard, students have raised about $25,000 to facilitate the pledge process and purchase property for the fraternity.

Alumni of other DKE chapters, as well as DKE international, have given the colony most of the funds raised so far, according to Jimmie Hill ’18, president of Harvard DKE. The group is looking to secure a house in the Cambridge or Allston area and is beginning its spring pledge process on Monday.

Continuing the growth of Greek life at the College, undergraduates formed a DKE  “colony” last semester, sororities drew record bid numbers this spring, and the College has seen the addition of three Greek organizations, including DKE, in as many years.

In the next month, DKE treasurer Samuel Z Liu ’18 said, the group plans to reach out directly to more alumni to solicit funds. The group ultimately hopes to secure around $700,000 for a property deposit, partly through donations and potentially assistance from the fraternity's headquarters, Hill said, adding that the group is also considering relying instead on a significant loan.

DKE has already contacted a realtor and a private brokerage firm and hopes to raise enough funds or secure a loan by August, he added. Last week, Hill said, he toured a house on Linden Street, which had eight bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms.

The group must eventually apply to become a fully recognized “chapter,” but in the meantime, undergraduate and graduate students are raising funds for property and preparing for their spring rush.

“[Our] two biggest priorities are recruitment and housing,” Hill said.

Since DKE’s formation, Hill said initiated members have met twice weekly with DKE alumni in the Boston area. Members have been soliciting financial assistance from alumni, who have offered lump sums or monthly donation plans with the goal of purchasing real estate.

Meanwhile, seven students—three undergraduates and four graduate students—will begin pledging the fraternity on Monday. DKE plans to initiate members in early May at MIT’s DKE fraternity house, Hill said.

The Office of Student Life does not officially recognize fraternities, meaning that fraternities may not, among other privileges, reserve space for events. Hill said he met with OSL affiliates earlier this semester to clarify space rules, but has not been in contact with administrators since then.

According to Hill, the College’s decision not to recognize Greek life at the College presents challenges, but has not halted the organization of DKE.

“At this point, the school hasn't recognized us, and we’ve done fine. It has been difficult, but it’s not impossible,” he said.

—Staff writer Noah J. Delwiche can be reached at noah.delwiche@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @ndelwiche.