Frequently Asked Questions
(If you have a question that you want asked, let us know!)
What does "rushing Sinfonia" mean?
Rushing, or pledging, a fraternity is a term used to describe the action taken by a prosepctive member into becoming a full-fledged, active collegiate member of the organization. The term pledging was outlawed in the 1990s as a result of the negative connotations that the term had within Sinfonia which tied it to hazing. After several rushes, or Phi Mu Alpha social events, in the first few weeks of every semester, we evaluate the level of interest in joining the organization by voting on bids, which are official invitations to membership in Sinfonia. The acceptance of a bid by the interested and qualified men begin the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia probationary period.
How long is the Phi Mu Alpha probationary period?
While many chapters in Sinfonia have different strategies for how long their probationary period lasts, the Mu Gamma chapter's probationary process typically lasts 9 weeks, from mid-September to late November/early December of the Fall Semester and from early February to late April in the Spring. Of course, a big part of the accuracy of the timeframe is dependent on if the probationary brothers take care of business throughout the process. Because a high percentage of the chapter are not involved in college-related activities during the summers, we hold very few chapter events and are not allowed to start a Pro-Bro class.
How much are the fraternity's dues and what do those dues go toward?
In dealing with financial matters, especially in today's economy, people tend to look the other way when they see a 'catch' or something that they perceive to be a 'catch'. Thankfully, this is not a catch...as your dues money will go toward something very beneficial. The initiate dues due two weeks before your initiation into the fraternity are currently $120. While that seems like a lot of money just to join a fraternity, consider this. With your $120, you are paying for your membership pin, your Sinfonia Songbook, your wallet card, a membership shigle, the national constitution, a resource disc, and a guide to rules and regulations for collegiate chapters. Also, as Sinfonia is currently enjoying one of the lightest insurance rates in the country among college fraternities, you are paying much, much less than initiation fees for other organizations, which can range from $350 for social fraternities on ASU's campus to $1,500 at places like UT-Austin and Texas A&M (Usually this large fee goes toward fraternity houses, which were outlawed at ASU in the 1970s). After you are initiated, your dues are $87/semester, which is comprised of a $67 national due and a $20 chapter due. The national dues mostly go to pay off the insurance policy of the organization and have not increased in three years, when it was then $65. The $20 chapter due was an idea started in the chapter in 2007 as a way to fund rushes, Ram Band early week Cold Pizza, and other various events. The deadline for semester dues is usually November 1 in the fall and March 1 in the spring, though Mu Gamma has bumped up the deadline a couple of weeks in the past to ensure that we would be one of the first chapters in the nation to turn in our personnel report.
What is Sinfonia's policy on hazing?
Unanimously adopted July 23, 2006, by the 2006 National Assembly. Whereas, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia was founded for the development of fraternal spirit and mutual welfare, and it achieves that mission by developing manly musicians and musicianly men of moral character and social responsibility; and Whereas, Hazing constitutes intentional acts which demean and abuse an individual physically, mentally, morally and spiritually, and which endanger the victim’s psychological wellbeing and physical health to the point of injury or even death; and Whereas, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia recognizes that hazing is contrary to the noble ideals and philosophy of our brotherhood and violates the human rights of victims, the Golden Rule and criminal statutes in almost every state; and Whereas, Hazing drains the financial and labor resources of the Fraternity, its staff and its volunteer officers, negatively affecting the Fraternity’s ability to provide valuable programs and services to its members; and Whereas, Incidents of hazing defile the public image of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and all fraternal organizations; therefore, Be it resolved by the National Assembly of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America: That the Fraternity commits itself to the total eradication of hazing within its chapters and enacts a strict policy of opposition, and in doing so, the Fraternity commits to act in opposition to those who would perpetuate, enable or tolerate hazing within its ranks; That the Fraternity commits to foster personal responsibility and overcome this scourge by producing educational programs and communications that will shed Light upon the unenlightened; That the Fraternity vows to strictly discipline brothers engaging in hazing activities through enforcement of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s risk management policies; and That Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia commits to join in the efforts of other organizations to eliminate the abhorrent practice of hazing in its many forms.
What is Sinfonia's policy on alcohol?
From Phi Mu Alpha Risk Management Policies, revised 10/2008
2.2 Alcohol
1. The possession, sale, distribution, use, or consumption of alcoholic beverages while on chapter premises, during a Fraternity event, in any situation sponsored or endorsed by the chapter, or in any event an observer would associate with the Fraternity, must be in compliance with any and all applicable laws of the state, county, city and institution of higher education.
2. Alcohol is prohibited from all activities to recruit probationary members.
3. Chapters or members are prohibited from requiring or deliberately enticing other members to drink alcohol.
4. Alcohol is prohibited from any chapter meeting or ritual.
5. Members, collectively or individually, are prohibited from purchasing for, serving to, or selling alcoholic beverages to any member under legal drinking age.
6. No alcoholic beverages may be purchased through chapter funds, nor may the purchase of bulk quantity of same (i.e. kegs, cases) for members or guests be undertaken or coordinated by any member in the name of, or on behalf of, the chapter. If chapters host large socials, formals, or other events where alcohol is provided, the chapter is required to use a third-party vendor and abide by all policies of its college, university or the third-party vendor.
7. No chapter may sell alcoholic beverages to members or guests by selling tickets or cups, charging admission fees, taking up collections, or by any other direct or indirect means of collecting monies from persons attending functions.
8. No chapter may co-sponsor an event with an alcohol distributor, charitable organization, or tavern (tavern being defined as an establishment generating more than half of gross annual sales from alcohol) where alcohol is given away, sold, or otherwise provided to those present.
9. No chapter may co-sponsor or co-finance a function where alcohol is purchased by any of the host chapters, groups, or organizations.
10. No chapter may host an open party where alcohol is present. An open party is defined as one with unrestricted access by non-members of the Fraternity without specific invitation.
11. No member shall permit, tolerate, encourage or participate in "drinking games.” The definition of drinking games includes, but is not limited to, the competitive consumption of shots or drinks of alcohol, liquor or alcoholic beverages; the practice of consuming shots or drinks equating to one’s age; “beer pong,” “century club,” “dares” or any other activity involving the consumption of alcohol which involves duress or encouragement related to the consumption of alcohol.
I don't know...my views on fraternities are not very positive...mostly based on what I have seen and heard in my life. Convince me otherwise!
There are many incredible advantages in belonging to a college fraternity such as Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Leadership opportunities, advancement through networking, and building basic life principles are what we are all about. Though we do have fun on occasion, we maintain that in the term college music fraternity, college always comes first. Our chapter's members have been news anchors, business consultants, college professors...even Grammy-award winners! Other Sinfonians include such successful Americans as Andy Griffith, Fred 'Mister' Rogers, Andrew Carnegie, and American Idol winner Ruben Studdard.
A testimonial from Dacy Briggs, Immediate Past President of Mu Gamma: "I have personally found that my time management skills since becoming a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia have drastically improved and the leadership opportunities that I received as a member of the organization have given me the strength and determination to overcome the odds in my life. While acquiring these traits, I have also advanced tremendously as a dedicated, mature musician and have truly left my legacy at Angelo State University through various projects and events that I have created. If I had never joined Sinfonia back in Fall 2005, I am positive that I would not be where I am today. The same change can happen for you! Unlike other organizations on campus, Phi Mu Alpha does not hold official fraternity parties. Rather, we recruit through our various rushes and other events. Even though we may get less people in the organization by not hosting official parties, we are more concerned with quality of our members over quantity. We are committed to benefitting our fellow man, through whatever means necessary."
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