Fraternity membership can have a tremendous impact on your life, both in college and beyond.

The challenges and rewards of college life can be greatly enhanced through a fraternity experience. During the transition to college life students are often in search of a smaller group where they will feel comfortable and can work with others to achieve common goals. Being a member of a fraternity also means an intentional focus on leadership, scholarship, community service, and friendship. Fraternal organizations give individuals a more well-rounded college experience while encouraging students to be as successful as possible.

Upon your graduation from college, the benefits of fraternal membership do not cease to exist. Undergraduate Chapters are supported by local Alumni who often help ease the transition from undergraduate to post-graduate life. Fraternity alumni also assist one another in networking as you look to further your professional career. While membership in a fraternity does by no means guarantee you a job following your graduation, it does provide a terrific network of services and resources that you would not have had otherwise.

Kappa Alpha Order provides a way of life significant to the development of young men.

KA traces its beginning to 1865, when four men at Washington College, in Lexington, Va., decided to bind their friendship by a “mutual pledge of faith and loyalty.”

Our founders sought to create an organization rooted in the highest ideals of the time. Those same traits of honor, chivalry, and gentility have remained timeless throughout the ages and are the core of Kappa Alpha.

Emulating chivalric ideals and genteel ethics, KA translates these timeless philosophies into the mainstream of American colleges and universities. These gentlemanly traits are the hallmark for men who have chosen our unique lifestyle.

The philosophy of the Order is that the acquisition of knowledge and the development of character are the great goals of life. Through fellowship and brotherhood, KA seeks to teach young men to be leaders; to be brave, self reliant, and to continually strive to better themselves.

Here’s what to expect

BROTHERHOOD

Meeting new friends is a hallmark of joining a fraternity. Your brothers are for life, whether you join with them or they are the seniors now. Get to know your brothers now and learn how to work, play, and live with them. This will benefit you for your entire life.

EDUCATION.

You should have a period of education up to 8 weeks long–anything longer is a violation of KA rules. You can’t learn everything in 8 weeks or even 4 years. Learn what you need to know and then continue to gain more knowledge in your experience. New member education will include meetings, retreats, service projects, quizzes, online education, and orientation of meeting the chapter. Most importantly, you’ll key in on the responsibilities of fraternity membership so you will be fully prepared and ready to contribute to the chapter once you are initiated.

HAZING.

Now, a word about hazing. Hazing is just simply not useful to KA. If you’ve ever been part of a team you likely experienced hazing. Don’t bring it into KA. This is not true brotherhood building. It is forced adversity for the enjoyment of hazing folks. Most likely you’ll not experience hazing. But if you do, know this–there is not one single chapter or fraternity who permits hazing and it is your duty to report it, work to fix it, or simply do not engage in the activity. Be a man and stand up.

FINANCES.

There is a financial commitment to joining. There are national dues and fees. These are for your induction, your initiation, national dues, and national insurance.

Induction Fee
$100 per man. One-time. This is owed to the chapter when you join. You fill out your first form online and receive your goKA account. This confirms your membership and will be where you pay all your dues, both national and local, from here on out.

Initiation Fee
$265 per man. One-time. Consider it a lifetime joining fee. You’ll get your badge, your shingle, and varied other benefits. Same deal as Induction; pay the chapter, they pay the national administrative office.