Our class of 2021 is nearing graduation and getting ready to join the world’s best alumni brotherhood. We recently caught up with Cole Kauffman ’21 and asked him about all things Delta Chi, about his plans for after graduation, and more. Here’s what he had to say.
Where are you originally from? How did you end up at Michigan?
I’m from Weston, Florida. I ended up at Michigan because it’s a great school and I wanted to get away from home and go somewhere I wouldn’t know anyone.
Why did you decide to pledge at Delta Chi? What drew you to the brotherhood?
I decided to pledge Delta Chi because the guys made me laugh and I felt extremely comfortable here. I felt like I could be myself at DChi and that was the sell.
How long have you been involved with Delta Chi? What have you learned/gained from your involvement? Do you have a leadership role at the house by any chance? If so, what’s your title?
I’ve been involved with DChi since my freshman year in the fall of 2017. I’ve gained my best friends from this experience and plenty of valuable life experiences. I’ve had an amazing time being a part of the brotherhood. I don’t currently have a leadership title but I was once a Mental Health Chair and a Social Chair.
What’s your expected grad year from Michigan? What are your area(s) of study?
I am graduating on May 1st of this year. I studied political science and history.
How has this year’s rush process differed from past years? How has it altered to account for COVID-19?
This year’s rush process is mainly different in that, rather than opening the floodgates to the masses, only an extremely limited amount of people are able to come to meet brothers at a time. This changes the whole scene. Rather than getting a real feel of the social aspect of DChi, they get a more intimate but maybe awkward view because it’s much more specific to the few. It’s easier to get one on one time rather than trying to stand out I guess. I’m not exactly sure how it works because last semester I kept away from a lot of the rush process out of concern of mingling with freshmen who lived in dorms, which were often COVID hotspots.
Are there any events at the house that you’ve had to cancel or alter due to the pandemic?
Absolutely things have been canceled this year. We’ve cut down a ton of brotherhood events and chapter attendance has been extremely limited. And our social schedule is practically gone. We were once proud of our football tailgates – those haven’t been a thing since 2019’s schedule.
How is day-to-day life in the house different this year from previous school years? What safety precautions are the brothers taking?
I don’t live in the house as I’m a senior. But brothers upped the COVID testing for everybody. Eventually, everyone in the house and most of the fraternity as a whole got infected and now has some level of antibody immunity.
Do you have any post-grad plans at the moment?
I am going to law school next year. It’s looking like I will be attending NYU Law, but that’s possibly subject to change between now and April.
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