Lafayette College’s chapter of Kappa Delta Rho became a full-fledged fraternity on Nov. 20 after a yearslong campaign for its return. The group joins campus as Lafayette’s eighth fraternity, the first addition since multicultural chapter Phi Sigma Chi’s founding in December 2023.
The decision — the result of the fraternity’s final accreditation review — marks the end of a two-year-long revival effort to reestablish the chapter after its national charter was revoked in June 2011.
“I think it comes from an incredible place of growth,” said chapter president Tyler Beck ‘28, calling the return process a “mountain.” His efforts to revive the chapter began in his freshman year.
According to an accreditation document provided by Beck, the chapter was accredited “with distinction” after scoring 18,875 out of 20,400 possible points, or 92.52%, on its evaluation. Chapters that meet over 90% of expectations on the accreditation program’s scorecard are eligible for distinction, a descriptor given to fraternities that demonstrate high participation and academic success.
“Based on their efforts this year, I was expecting them to reach this level,” Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life Jake Bates wrote in an email, confirming the chapter’s accreditation.
Kappa Delta Rho was granted “interim chapter“ status this fall, allowing it to participate in the formal fall recruitment process. The chapter enrolled 11 members in the recruiting cycle, of which five were seniors.
“They created a welcoming and meaningful home for individuals who did not find connections in other organizations,” Bates wrote. “This achievement alone confirms Kappa Delta Rho is successfully filling a critical space within the fraternal community.”
Bob Kiser ‘74, the president of the fraternity’s alumni corporation, said he hopes to have the fraternity back in its former house — currently in use as a dormitory known as 635 High St. — by next fall. The house is owned by the alumni corporation and sublet to the college.
“We have reached out to Lafayette and are looking forward to accomplishing that goal,” Kiser said. “They are very anxious to live together in the KDR house.”
Director of Residence Life Thor Banks declined to detail ongoing negotiations between the alumni corporation and the Office of Residence Life.
“Discussions about the use of the house were prior to my arrival in July,” Banks wrote in an email.
Interfraternity Council President William Gutiérrez ‘27 expressed doubts about that timeframe, calling their rehousing ambitions “lofty.”
“I think they will get it eventually,” Gutiérrez said. “I just don’t know if it’ll be in the near future.”
Beck said he aims to run Kappa Delta Rho by the book, drawing a line between its emphasis on safety and that of other fraternities.
“I think that some fraternity activities here kind of skirt the regulations,” Beck said. “Doing everything by college rules and regulations is how I want my KDR to operate.”
Gutiérrez noted the fraternity’s connection with a drinking-related student death in 2012. No current members of Kappa Delta Rho are associated with the former chapter.
“They have the opportunity to be firm advocates against hazing,” Gutiérrez said.
