Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. Alpha Epsilon Chapter records, 1920-1972

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Summary

Creator:
Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. Alpha Epsilon Chapter (Duke University)
Abstract:
The Alpha Epsilon chapter of Delta Sigma Phi was established at Duke University in 1920. Contains the records of the Alpha Epsilon chapter of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, a social fraternity for men at Duke University. Types of materials include correspondence, financial summaries, amendments to bylaws, meeting notes, minutes, and printed material. Major subjects include student life at Duke University, hazing, rush, chapter establishment, and governance. Materials range in date from 1920 to 1972.
Extent:
1 Linear Foot
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
UA.31.22.0007
University Archives Record Group:
31 -- Student/Campus Life
31 -- Student/Campus Life > 22 -- Social Fraternities and Sororities

Background

Scope and content:

Contains correspondence, financial summaries, amendments to bylaws, meeting notes, minutes, and printed material pertaining to the Alpha Epsilon chapter of Delta Sigma Phi at Duke University from 1920-1972. One folder is restricted.

Biographical / historical:

From http://deltasig.org/about/index.html

Late in 1899, a handful of undergraduate men began meeting between classes at City College of New York in Manhattan, N.Y. Some of the men had known one another before they graduated from the New York public school system, and they had wanted to continue their friendships at City College. The obvious solution was to join a fraternity, but this group of friends was an affiliation of Jews and Christians. At the time, entry to all-Jewish and all-Christian fraternities was barred to individuals and groups that mixed religions. Based on the principle of universal brotherhood, the men founded Delta Sigma Phi on December 10, 1899.

Delta Sigma Phi was incorporated in New York City on December 2, 1902. The incorporation papers stated objectives of disseminating "principles of friendship and brotherhood among college men, without respect to race or creed." The purpose of the fraternity was "to fulfill the desire of serious young college men for a fellowship and brotherhood, as near a practical working ideal as possible not fettered with too many traditional prejudices and artificial standards of membership, and accompanied by a clean, pure, and honorable chapter home life." The fraternity is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Alpha Epsilon chapter of Delta Sigma Phi was chartered at Duke University in 1920. Early meetings (1920-1921) held discussions of fraternity jewelry, pledging, installing officers, recruiting new members from prep schools, purchasing furniture and draperies, and planning initiations. In 1920, the chapter adopted Zeta Tau Alpha as their sister fraternity. As of 2006, the members of the Alpha Epsilon live on-campus at Kilgo Quad and are governed by the Interfraternity Council at Duke University. The Alpha Epsilon chapter is currently active.

Acquisition information:
The Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. Alpha Epsilon Chapter Records were received by the University Archives as a transfer in 1975.
Processing information:

Processed by Emily Glenn, January 2003

Encoded by Kimberly Sims, June 2006

Accession A75-115 is described in this finding aid.

Updated legacy notes - TMJ 2018 Oct 15

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Using These Materials Links:

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Restrictions:

In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended, Duke University permits students to inspect their education records and limits the disclosure of personally identifiable information from education records.

Terms of access:

Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. Alpha Epsilon Chapter Records, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.