Thank You, Beta Upsilon And Friends
By Michael Cohen '98
Beta is by far one of the largest national fraternities, with almost 150 chapters nationwide; however, it was not until last semester that I realized the advantage of being a member of such an encompassing brotherhood.
The Boston Challenge
Last year, I was a sophomore who had just accepted an engineering cooperative offer from Abiomed R&D, a biomedical firm north of Boston working on the "total artificial heart." Of all the inherent anxieties associated with starting a new job, I thought the dilemma of finding an apartment would be minimal.
I visited Boston in the summer to search for an apartment. Other than a random roommate matching service, I did not find many feasible options. Aware of the many distinguished alumni in the area, I decided to visit Douglas Onsi before finally giving up on the apartment search and heading back home to New Jersey.
Beta Network to the Rescue
In the midst of watching the Boston Red Sox lose to the New York Yankees, Doug, Jason Sawyer, and John Schmottlach informed me of the Beta Upsilon Chapter at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Beta Upsilon at MIT
- • Located two blocks from Fenway Park
- • On the shore of the Charles River
- • In the heart of Boston University area
- • Two four-story brownstone houses
- • Houses across the street from each other
Immediate Acceptance
Located about two blocks from Fenway Park, on the shore of the Charles River and in the heart of Boston University, the Beta Upsilon Chapter at MIT became my home for a semester.
The brothers never once looked upon me as an outsider but immediately embraced me as a brother.
Full Brotherhood Experience
Throughout my stay at MIT the brothers never once looked upon me as an outsider but immediately embraced me as a brother. I participated in every aspect of the chapter, including voting in the chapter meetings. I was especially surprised when we had room picks. I anticipated being the last brother, but instead I was the last junior to choose a room.
MIT's Unique Rush System
MIT does not have enough housing to accommodate all the incoming freshmen. Therefore, fraternity rush takes place before school begins, and the subsequent pledges live in the fraternity house at the beginning of freshman year.
Because the pledges live in the house, the goal of the pledge program is to integrate the pledges into the house as soon as possible. The pledge process is very casual but nonetheless long, lasting from September to the end of March.
The 40-Foot Christmas Tree Project
The first semester of pledging culminates in the pledge project of erecting a 40-foot Christmas tree within the circular staircase of the main house. This spectacular tradition showcases the creativity and dedication that defines the MIT chapter.
The Process
- • Rent a Ryder truck
- • Drive to New Hampshire
- • Chop down the perfect 40-foot tree
- • Cut off branches and trisect trunk
- • Transport back to the house
The Assembly
- • Reassemble trunk pieces
- • Harness tree to staircase
- • Drill holes and reattach branches
- • Work suspended from fourth floor
- • Create spectacular centerpiece
It was a spectacle to see one of the pledges drilling holes in the tree while suspended from a rope that was attached to a pulley on the fourth floor.
Never Detached from Beta Delta
Despite my living at Beta Upsilon, I never felt detached from Beta Delta. Twice during the semester, the undergraduate brothers from Cornell visited Boston, but more astonishing to me was the amount of time I spent with the Beta Delta alumni in the area.
Building Lasting Friendships
My initial concern about how I would be accepted among the elder alumni was quickly dispelled. Only when the Dallas Cowboys beat the New England Patriots did I become the butt of the jokes.
At first I made an effort to spend time with alumni at least once a week—but soon it wasn't an effort at all. They were my friends, and I no longer viewed them as alumni. The entire time, they only asked of me one favor in return: that when I become an alumnus, I treat the undergraduates in the same manner.
Understanding the Castle Campaign
It is ironic that it was not until I lived at MIT that I realized the spectacular achievement of the Castle Campaign. As a sophomore, I had a naive view of the Castle Campaign. It seemed every time I returned to Beta Delta, there was a new renovation to the house.
I narrowly perceived the Castle Campaign as simply a renovation project, but now I know it was so much more—its most significant aspect being the lifelong friendships forged between generations of Betas.
"As Professor Provine has said, 'Friendship is the sole and indispensable meaning of life.'"
Yours in ___kai___,
Michael Cohen '98