Our Philosophy: What is Fraternity?
As a student at Carolina you have, of course, been made aware of the existence of groups of men within the university community who bind themselves together under certain Greek letters. Your presence here at the home of one of these groups, or fraternities, indicates your interest in such organizations. We offer the following definitions of what fraternity means to the men of one of these groups at Carolina.
Fraternity is a voluntary association of university men bound together by ties of brotherhood into a close-knit union which works for the mutual benefit and advancement of each member individually and the brotherhood as a whole with no conflict between these aims. Fraternity is the feeling of belonging to a small, highly organized group within the often-bewildering size and complexity of a large university community. Fraternity is watching the ballgame together, supporting each other at gigs, parties, playing sports, banquets, work parties, cookouts, new but enduring friendships, pledge training, workshops, big weekends, road trips, ritual, close cooperation, pinning, conventions, and the joy of seeing mutual goals become realities, among other things.
Fraternity men pledge themselves to building within themselves and their fraternity brothers an adherence to the highest ideals of gentlemanly conduct. Fraternity is a unique but enduring experience…one difficult to attain, but one that rewards throughout life the effort expended.
Such is fraternity for all fraternities—so is Phi Mu Alpha a fraternity. Yet Phi Mu Alpha is also a unique concept among fraternities at Carolina—a concept that we feel equips us in a very special way to face the challenges which a changing university scene is offering to the fraternity system as a whole. Phi Mu Alpha is a fraternity with an added purpose—a purpose that goes beyond the immediate social ends of the typical fraternity. We are a music fraternity whose members are brought together by more than a casual interest in music.
We build a close-knit group of university men whose mutual interests in music are encouraged and made more vigorous by close association with others who share these interests. Phi Mu Alpha is thus fraternity, and Alpha Rho is Carolina fraternity, with the cooperation, parties, work, fun, and brotherhood—yet Phi Mu Alpha chooses to direct the enthusiasm which the experience of brotherhood builds within its members beyond itself into the greater university community by promoting music and musical events of all types to enrich the lives of many through the brotherhood of students of music
To those wishing to pledge Phi Mu Alpha, we want you to know that Alpha Rho has a proud tradition of producing great brothers. From Andy Griffith to Woody Durham (the voice of the Tar Heels) to Cal Horton (the town manager of Chapel Hill), Alpha Rho has always stood for the best. We, as a chapter, do not accept second-rate effort and that is what you must live up to. But, you will not be alone. Our chapter will stand beside you—offering everything that we have in order to make you a more successful brother, colleague, friend, and student. This is the essence of Alpha Rho. You have much to strive for and it will not be easy. But, we will be there for you. Always remember, if you take nothing away from pledging other than this: a brother is always there for you. We sincerely wish you the best and look forward to one day calling you a brother of Phi Mu Alpha, Alpha Rho.
-The Brothers of Phi Mu Alpha