List of San Diego State University fraternities and sororities

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The following article is a list of San Diego State University fraternities and sororities, as well as some background history. Greek life at San Diego State University (SDSU) has an extensive history dating back nearly a century and has played an influential role in the university's development over time. Today it encompasses more than forty active chapters of social and culturally-based fraternities and sororities recognized by the university, each represented through one of four governing councils. Honors, service and professional Greek-letter societies also exist and are recognized student organizations at SDSU, though they operate independently of the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life. [1]

Contents

History

The first fraternity on campus was the local Epsilon Eta, which formed on October 25, 1921. The group maintained strict rules for its members and limited the chapter to twenty male students. [2] The first local sorority, known as Shen Yo, was also established in 1921. [3] By the end of the decade there were six other fraternities and eight sororities. The fraternities and sororities were all local and did not attain national affiliations until after World War II with the exception of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, chartered in 1932. [4] [5] [6]

On October 10, 1924, the Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) was founded. The IFC consisted of the nine sororities and the two fraternities that were then on campus. The purpse of IFC was stated as "boosting a high scholarship standard among the members of the fraternal organizations, and of cooperating with the faculty in all matters which lead to the success of the College." The IFC published the grade point averages of fraternities and sororities at the end of each semester, which stimulated a competition for scholastic standing which continues today. On a 3.0 scale, the average GPA (grade point average) for all students at the time was 1.49. For fraternity members it was 1.35 and for sorority members it was 1.47. [4] After a couple of years of the co-educational governing organization, the sororities split from the IFC to create their own organization, the Inter-Sorority Council, which later became the College Panhellenic Association.

By the mid-1930s, there were eight fraternities and eleven sororities on campus. The campus Greek community expanded to fifteen fraternities and twelve sororities in the 1940s. [7] The post World War II period saw a frenzy to "go national" among the fraternities and sororities. Between 1947 and 1951, five national fraternities colonized new chapters at SDSU and an additional nine formed chapters through absorbing existing local fraternities on campus. Theta Chi became the first fraternity on campus affiliated with a national organization in 1947. Alpha Xi Delta kickstarted a similar trend for sororities upon chartering in 1949, with nine other national sororities following suit by absorbing the remaining nine local sororities. In 1951, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity chartered on campus, becoming San Diego State's first African-American Greek organization.

The arrival of national fraternities began the trend of Greek organizations acquiring property for chapter houses. Delta Sigma Phi became the first fraternity to own a chapter house, with Kappa Delta becoming the first sorority to acquire a house shortly thereafter in 1952. The 1950s was a period of steady increase of membership in the Greek community, coinciding with the gradual increase in undergraduate enrollment at the university.

The emergence of the counterculture phenomenon of the late 1960s and early 1970s saw interest in fraternities and sororities decline and the Greek community population dwindled to below 700, with several organizations closing. On April 6, 1978, the Gamma Phi Beta sorority hired a plane to drop marshmallows on fraternity houses during Derby Week, a philanthropy event among the Greek community hosted by the Sigma Chi fraternity. The plane crashed near Peterson Gym on the west side of campus, injuring four students aboard. [8]

In 1983, after a USA Today article reported that SDSU Greeks' GPAs were below the campus average, SDSU tightened restrictions and supervision, and by 1989 grades had increased to slightly above the university average. [8] The Greek system gradually began to grow again in the late seventies following the close of the Vietnam War before spiking in the 1980s, reaching a peak of upwards of 2,900 members in 1988. At this point there were twenty fraternities and thirteen sororities officially affiliated with the Interfraternity Council and College Panhellenic Association, respectively, as well as six additional independent fraternities and sororities. This made it one of the largest fraternity and sorority systems in the western United States. [9]

The 1990s were a less prosperous time for social fraternities and sororities at the university than the previous decade. A fiscal crisis in California early in the decade severely impacted the California State University system, and SDSU was deeply impacted by budget cuts. A significant decline in enrollment at the university resulted. Several organizations were closed due to operational and conduct issues. Despite the turmoil, the Greek community still experienced substantial growth during the 1990s, though this time it centered primarily around the establishment of numerous culturally-based fraternities and sororities. This led to the establishment of SDSU's fourth Greek governing council, the United Sorority and Fraternity Council on September 24, 1997.

The SDSU Foundation's development of Fraternity Row in 2002, where eight fraternities moved into newly-constructed chapter houses in a 1.4 acre complex adjacent to the newly-constructed Cox Arena (now Viejas Arena). The complex consists of eight free-standing, two story chapter houses with a private courtyard. The complex provides 61 two and three bedroom apartment units that overlook the courtyards. [10] The Foundation planned to also construct Sorority Row, a similar project with five free-standing chapter houses, following the completion of Fraternity Row. However, the project was abandoned in 2006 after the Foundation declared the project financially infeasible, citing escalating construction-material costs and a lack of commitment from sororities. [11]

In May 2008, the university community was shaken by an investigation into illegal drug use in the college area. Dozens of individuals were arrested in Operation Sudden Fall, including several students who were members of fraternities. [12] Between the spring of 2008 and the spring of 2010, the Interfraternity Council saw its membership drop from sixteen chapters down to just nine, with seven chapters closing during this period all over a variety of misconduct issues. Since this time, the Greek community has experienced steady growth, coinciding with growth of the university, a renewed interest in Greek life, and increased investment and involvement by alumni and administrators in educational programs for Greek members and organizations.

Today there are a total of more than forty fraternities and sororities at San Diego State University, including both general and culturally-based organizations, represented through one of the four governing councils.

College Panhellenic Association

The College Panhellenic Association is the governing body of all National Panhellenic Conference general social sororities on campus. According to its website, "the College Panhellenic Association aims to develop and maintain women's fraternity life and interfraternity relations at high levels of accomplishment". [13] [14]

Active chapters

OrganizationLettersChapterLocal founding dateNickname(s)
Alpha Chi Omega ΑΧΩGamma NuNovember 18, 1950*AChiO; Alpha Chi
Alpha Gamma Delta ΑΓΔDelta EtaOctober 1, 1949*AGD; Alpha Gam
Alpha Phi ΑΦGamma AlphaOctober 1, 1949*A-Phi
Delta Gamma ΔΓEpsilon SigmaOctober 28, 1984DG
Gamma Phi Beta ΓΦΒBeta LambdaOctober 15, 1949*Gamma Phi; G-Phi
Kappa Alpha Theta ΚΑΘGamma SigmaJanuary 26, 1951*Theta
Kappa Delta ΚΔBeta RhoMay 28, 1949*KD
Pi Beta Phi ΠΒΦCalifornia EpsilonSeptember 1, 1949*Pi Phi

* indicates original charter date with national organization, does not reflect origin as previously local sorority (see below)

Master list of chapters

OrganizationLettersChapterLocal founding dateNickname(s)Last active date
Alpha Chi Omega ΑΧΩGamma NuNovember 18, 1950*AChiO; Alpha ChiActive
Alpha Delta Pi ΑΔΠEta Sigma1990ADPi2005
Alpha Epsilon Phi ΑΕΦEpsilon NuMarch 8, 1964AEPhi2014
Alpha Gamma Delta ΑΓΔDelta EtaOctober 1, 1949*AGD; Alpha GamActive
Alpha Phi ΑΦGamma AlphaOctober 1, 1949*A-PhiActive
Alpha Sigma Alpha ΑΣΑOmega OmegaJanuary 16, 1932ASA1938
Alpha Xi Delta ΑΞΔGamma AlphaJanuary 15, 1949*AZD; Alpha Xi1998
Chi Omega ΧΩGamma DeltaNovember 17, 1950*ChiO1995
Delta Gamma ΔΓEpsilon SigmaOctober 28, 1984DGActive
Delta Zeta ΔΖGamma OmicronNovember 18, 1949*DZFall 2022
Gamma Phi Beta ΓΦΒBeta LambdaOctober 15, 1949*Gamma Phi; G-PhiActive
Kappa Alpha Theta ΚΑΘGamma SigmaJanuary 26, 1951*ThetaActive
Kappa Delta ΚΔBeta RhoMay 28, 1949*KDActive
Pi Beta Phi ΠΒΦCalifornia EpsilonSeptember 1, 1949*Pi PhiActive
Sigma Kappa ΣΚBeta PsiFebruary 18, 1950*SK2007

* indicates original charter date with national organization, does not reflect origin as previously local sorority (see below)

Local sorority origins

Several sororities originated locally before later affiliating with national organizations: [15] [16]

College Panhellenic Association activity timeline

List of San Diego State University fraternities and sororities

Interfraternity Council

The Interfraternity Council is the governing body of general social fraternities on the San Diego State campus. Most of its member organizations belong to the North American Interfraternity Conference. The Interfraternity Council was formed on October 10, 1924, initially encompassing both fraternities and sororities. The purpose of the organization was stated to be "boosting a high scholarship standard among the members of the fraternal organizations, and of cooperating with the faculty in all matters which lead to the success of the College". [17] [14]

Active chapters

OrganizationLettersChapterLocal charter dateNickname(s)
Alpha Epsilon Pi ΑΕΠSigma DeltaDecember 7, 1970AEPi
Beta Theta Pi ΒΘΠEpsilon BetaFebruary 5, 1984Beta
Delta Chi ΔΧSan Diego StateMarch 28, 1969D-Chi
Delta Sigma Phi ΔΣΦGamma AlphaNovember 14, 1948Delta Sig; D-Sig
Delta Upsilon ΔΥSan Diego StateMay 11, 1966DU
Kappa Alpha Order ΚΑGamma IotaOctober 15, 1950*KA; Kappa Alpha
Phi Delta Theta ΦΔΘCalifornia PiSpring 1989Phi Delt
Phi Kappa Psi ΦΚΨCalifornia LambdaFebruary 17, 1996Phi Psi
Phi Kappa Tau ΦΚΤBeta NuJanuary 7, 1950*Phi Tau
Pi Kappa Alpha ΠΚΑDelta KappaNovember 27, 1948*Pike
Sigma Alpha Epsilon ΣΑΕCalifornia ThetaOctober 8, 1949*SAE
Sigma Chi ΣΧDelta XiJanuary 8, 1949*Sig Chi
Sigma Phi Epsilon ΣΦΕCalifornia DeltaNovember 16, 1947*SigEp
Tau Kappa Epsilon ΤΚΕGamma LambdaMay 19, 1950*TKE; Teke
Zeta Beta Tau ΖΒΤBeta LambdaMay 20, 1951*ZBT

* indicates original charter date with national organization, does not reflect origin as previously local fraternity (see below)

Master list of chapters

OrganizationLettersChapterLocal charter dateNickname(s)Last active dateNotes
Alpha Epsilon Pi ΑΕΠSigma DeltaDecember 7, 1970AEPiActive
Alpha Tau Omega ΑΤΩEpsilon PsiNovember 4, 1950*ATOFall 1994
Beta Theta Pi ΒΘΠEpsilon BetaFebruary 5, 1984BetaActiveRecolonized Fall 2022
Delta Chi ΔΧSan Diego StateMarch 28, 1969D-ChiActive
Delta Sigma Phi ΔΣΦGamma AlphaNovember 14, 1948Delta Sig; D-SigActive
Delta Upsilon ΔΥSan Diego StateMay 11, 1966DUActive
Kappa Alpha Order ΚΑGamma IotaOctober 15, 1950*KA; Kappa AlphaActive
Kappa Sigma ΚΣEpsilon IotaDecember 6, 1947*Kappa Sig; K-Sig2020 / 2023 (active / recognized)Ineligible for reinstatement until April 2031 [18]
Lambda Chi Alpha ΛΧΑZeta PiJanuary 10, 1948Lambda ChiActive (unaffiliated)Regional chapter colonized Fall 2021
Currently unaffiliated with SDSU & IFC [19]
Phi Delta Theta ΦΔΘCalifornia PiSpring 1989Phi DeltActive
Phi Gamma Delta FIJI (ΦΓΔ)Sigma DeltaNovember 1, 1986Fiji; Phi GamSpring 2020Ineligible for reinstatement until Aug. 2030 [18]
Phi Kappa Psi ΦΚΨCalifornia LambdaFebruary 17, 1996Phi PsiActive
Phi Kappa Tau ΦΚΤBeta NuJanuary 7, 1950*Phi TauActiveRecolonized Fall 2023
Phi Kappa Theta ΦΚΘPhi IotaNovember 11, 1995Phi KapFall 2017Ineligible for reinstatement until Aug. 2024 [18]
Phi Sigma Kappa ΦΣΚRho TritonApril 30, 1949Phi Sig1959
Pi Kappa Alpha ΠΚΑDelta KappaNovember 27, 1948*PikeActive
Sigma Alpha Epsilon ΣΑΕCalifornia ThetaOctober 8, 1949*SAEActive
Sigma Alpha Mu ΣΑΜGamma NuJanuary 23, 1983SammyFall 2009
Sigma Chi ΣΧDelta XiJanuary 8, 1949*Sig ChiActive
Sigma Nu ΣΝEta KappaFebruary 1, 1963Sig NuFall 2018
Sigma Phi Epsilon ΣΦΕCalifornia DeltaNovember 16, 1947*SigEpActive
Sigma Pi ΣΠAlpha OmegaMay 18, 1949Sig PiSpring 2008
Tau Kappa Epsilon ΤΚΕGamma LambdaMay 19, 1950*TKE; TekeActive
Theta Chi ΘΧGamma ThetaNovember 8, 1947Fall 2019
Zeta Beta Tau ΖΒΤBeta LambdaMay 20, 1951*ZBTActive

* indicates original charter date with national organization, does not reflect origin as previously local fraternity (see below)

Local fraternity origins

Several fraternities originated locally before later affiliating with national organizations: [15] [16]

Interfraternity Council activity timeline

List of San Diego State University fraternities and sororities

National Pan-Hellenic Council

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is the collaborative organization of historically African American, international Greek lettered fraternities and sororities at San Diego State. Its member organizations are members of the national council of the same name, the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Its mission statement is "Unanimity within the council for the purpose of maintaining an influential and puissant presence by member organizations through programs, community service, and camaraderie for the betterment of the communities in which we serve". [20] [14]

Fraternities

OrganizationLettersChapterLocal Founding Date
Alpha Phi Alpha AΦAEta SigmaSeptember 9, 1972
Kappa Alpha Psi ΚΑΨDelta EpsilonMarch 26, 1951
Omega Psi Phi ΩΨΦPi MuAugust 14, 1976
Phi Beta Sigma ΦΒΣLambda IotaJanuary 27, 1979

Sororities

OrganizationLettersChapterLocal Founding Date
Alpha Kappa Alpha ΑΚΑMu IotaMay 23, 1978
Delta Sigma Theta ΔΣΘNu EpsilonMay 7, 1977
Sigma Gamma Rho ΣΓΡDelta GammaJune 5, 1970
Zeta Phi Beta ΖΦΒXi KappaOctober 18, 1980

United Sorority and Fraternity Council

The United Sorority and Fraternity Council was founded on the campus of San Diego State University on September 24, 1997. The council is composed of various Asian/Pacific Islander-interest, Latino/Latina-interest, multi-cultural, and pride-based sororities and fraternities. The council's mission is "to provide a governing council for its respective organizations and promote unity and respect amongst themselves, the university, and the community. [21] [14]

Asian/Pacific Islander-based organizations

Fraternities

OrganizationLettersChapterLocal Founding Date
Alpha Psi Rho ΑΨΡAlphaMarch 1, 2000

Sororities

OrganizationLettersChapterLocal Founding Date
Alpha Phi Gamma ΑΦΓGammaApril 15, 1998
Delta Sigma PsiΔΣΨAlphaDecember 12, 1998
Sigma Phi Omega ΣΦΩDeltaDecember 18, 1991

Latino/Latina-Based organization

Fraternities

OrganizationLettersChapterLocal Founding Date
Gamma Zeta Alpha ΓΖΑZetaMay 31, 1997
Lambda Theta Phi ΛΘΦDelta GammaMarch 26, 2014
Nu Alpha Kappa ΝΑΚBetaFebruary 10, 1990
Sigma Lambda Beta ΣΛΒPsi GammaFebruary 27, 2010

Sororities

OrganizationLettersChapterLocal Founding Date
Alpha Pi Sigma ΑΠΣAlphaMarch 10, 1990
Lambda Theta Alpha ΛΘΑGamma PsiSpring 2005
Sigma Lambda Gamma ΣΛΓIota GammaJanuary 4, 2005

Multicultural organizations

Fraternities

OrganizationLettersChapterLocal Founding Date
Beta Gamma NuΒΓΝEpsilonFebruary 11, 2011

Sororities

OrganizationLettersChapterLocal Founding Date
Lambda Sigma Gamma ΛΣΓKappaApril 24, 1994
Sigma Alpha ZetaΣΑΖDelta1997
Sigma Theta Psi ΣΘΨAlphaMay 1, 1991
Upsilon Kappa DeltaΥΚΔBetaApril 24, 1998

Pride-based organizations

Fraternity

OrganizationLettersChapterLocal Founding Date
Delta Lambda Phi ΔΛΦAlpha Delta1992

Sorority

OrganizationLettersChapterLocal Founding Date
Gamma Rho Lambda ΓΡΛBeta2005

Auxiliary Organizations

Notable alumni

Many notable alumni of San Diego State University were members of fraternities and sororities during their undergraduate years. Some are listed below.

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References

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  2. Starr, p. 121
  3. "The Daily Aztec, March 13, 1987". SDSU Library & Information Access.
  4. 1 2 Starr, p. 59
  5. "Omega Omega | Alpha Sigma Alpha". Alpha Sigma Alpha. Retrieved 2018-11-15.
  6. "The State College Aztec". April 29, 1931.
  7. Starr, p. 127
  8. 1 2 Starr, p. 215
  9. Starr, p. 214
  10. "Real Estate Development Projects". Pierce Education Properties, L.P. Retrieved 2018-07-04.
  11. Staff. "Sorority Row plans stay stagnant". The Daily Aztec. Retrieved 2018-09-30.
  12. McDonald, Jeff; Sherry Saavedra; Tanya Sierra (May 7, 2008). "Major SDSU drug probe nets 96 arrests in raids". San Diego Union Tribune . Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  13. "SDSU College Panhellenic Association". SDSU PANHELLENIC. Retrieved 2018-11-15.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Greek Life - Councils & Chapters | SDSU". go.sdsu.edu. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  15. 1 2 Del Sudoeste yearbook, 1952. pp. 23–72.
  16. 1 2 Del Sudoeste yearbook, 1955. pp. 119–175.
  17. "Home | SDSU IFC". Home | SDSU IFC. Retrieved 2018-11-15.
  18. 1 2 3 "Greek Life - Judicial Reports | SDSU". go.sdsu.edu. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
  19. "Recruitment | LCA Zeta-Pi San Diego". lambdasandiego.org.
  20. "NPHC @ SDSU". NPHC @ SDSU. Retrieved 2018-11-15.
  21. "United Sorority & Fraternity Council      San Diego State University". United Sorority & Fraternity Council      San Diego State University. Retrieved 2018-11-15.

Bibliography