Order of Omega
The Rho Tau Chapter will be returning in the fall 2022! Be on the look out!
Order of Omega is a leadership honor society for fraternity/sorority members. Order of Omega recognizes juniors and seniors who have exemplified high standards in the areas of scholarship, leadership, involvement within their respective organization and within the fraternity/sorority, campus, and local communities. Members are selected from the top 3% of students at each institution. To date, over 500 chapters have been chartered throughout North America, each sharing the common goal of recognizing the many outstanding student leaders at their institution.
Rho Tau Chapter was chartered on March 15th, 1999. Its most prominent annual program will be the support of Lafayette College Fraternity and Sorority of Excellence, a program designed to recognize chapters for commitment to fraternal values and community standards. This program is held each fall. Order of Omega is a non-hazing, non-pledging organization.
Purpose:
• To recognize those fraternity men and sorority women who have attained a high standard of leadership in interfraternity activities, to encourage them to continue along this line, and to inspire others to strive for similar conspicuous attainment.
• To bring together outstanding fraternity men and sorority women to create an organization which will help to mold the sentiment of the institution on questions of local and intercollegiate fraternity affairs.
• To bring together members of the faculty, alumni, and student members of the institution’s fraternities and sororities on a basis of mutual interest, understanding and helpfulness.
Eligibility:
The qualifications for membership in the Order of Omega are character, scholarship, intelligence, service, and leadership within our Fraternity and Sorority Community. Exemplary character is the primary consideration for membership, hence the requirement of a letter of recommendation from a faculty/staff member.
To be eligible for membership in the Order of Omega, a student shall meet the following minimum requirements:
1. Completed one full academic year of residence at Lafayette College
2. Be juniors or seniors in good-standing with their respective fraternity and sorority
3. Rank academically above the all-fraternity and sorority average of the fall semester.
4. To have held a leadership position in a student organization for at least one full year
Selection:
The selection committee is composed of the Order of Omega Advisor and Order of Omega board members. Membership is limited to 3% of the total fraternity and sorority population of Lafayette College.
Requirements for Application:
1) Completed applications must be typed and submitted to Office of Fraternity and Sorority. They must be dropped off at the Office of FS Life (Farinon College Center 107C suite) by set deadline in the Spring Semester.
Note: NO late applications will be accepted.
2) Initiation costs are $80 and upon invitation for membership, must be paid.
3) Upon invitation for membership, an initiation ceremony will take place on each spring semester.
What are the benefits of being a member of Order of Omega? Membership has a different value for each member. In addition to recognizing academic achievement, Order of Omega allows members of a campus community to unite under common values. Local chapters might coordinate programs for members, and scholarships are available through the national body. Graduates can also purchase cords to wear in a commencement ceremony, marking their membership in Order of Omega.