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University of Virginia fraternities and sororities

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Puppysnot (talk | contribs) at 00:35, 22 May 2015. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

  • Comment: You have a lot of WP:PRIMARY sources but not really many sources that are independent of UVA or the fraternities. Primary sources are any sources that are written by UVA, the fraternities, or anyone/anything that is affiliated with them. What you need here are sources that are independent of these groups and in places that would be considered reliable. The only ones I really see are the ones about the Rolling Stone controversy and there's already a page on that. You need to show how Greek life is independently notable from UVA and the controversy.
    Other than that the article looks pretty well written. I'm slightly worried that this is a little too pro-Greek life, but I don't see anything that really stands out or that anyone would have a true issue with. Mostly it's just little words here and there that you need to be careful about since they can be seen as WP:PEACOCK terms and part of the reason they stand out so much is that the article is almost entirely sourced by primary sources. This is part of the issue with using primary sources- it's in their best interest (especially in the wake of the Rolling Stone controversy despite the allegations proving false) to promote themselves in a positive light.
    The coverage is the biggest issue though and I'll admit that I'd be surprised if there weren't independent, reliable sources out there. Tokyogirl79 (｡◕‿◕｡) 07:06, 20 May 2015 (UTC)
Madison Bowl at the University of Virginia, surrounded by several Greek houses. From left to right: Phi Kappa Psi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, St. Anthony Hall, Sigma Phi Epsilon (now inactive), Zeta Tau Alpha, and St. Elmo Hall.

The University of Virginia has a large number of active Greek organizations on grounds, and the history of the university's fraternity and sorority system is significantly related to the development of both the university itself and the national fraternity and sorority system. Roughly 30% of the student body belongs to a social fraternity or sorority, with additional students involved in professional, service, and honor fraternities.[1] The organizations are fixtures of social life at the university and have played a significant role in its history. Many of the university's fraternities and sororities are residential, meaning they own or rent a house for their members to use; many of these houses are located on Rugby Road and the surrounding streets, just north of the university.

The University of Virginia was the birthplace of two large national fraternities, Kappa Sigma and Pi Kappa Alpha.[2] Greek life on grounds is recognized as particularly important to the history of the university, and three social fraternities hold reserved rooms on the Lawn: Kappa Sigma in Room 46 East Lawn, Trigon Engineering Society in Room 17 West Lawn, and Pi Kappa Alpha in Room 47 West Range. Additionally, Room 7 West Lawn is reserved for the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, a Greek-lettered debating organization.[3]

History

Greek life at UVa began relatively soon after the school's establishment in 1819. Social life at the university was originally fixed around debating societies, in which much of the student body was involved; in the 1850s the first fraternities began to appear and assumed a significant role in the student body's social landscape. In the following decades, the university became the birthplace of two national fraternities and saw many more fraternity chapters chartered. The twentieth century saw the system expand even more to include professional fraternities, social sororities, local fraternities, and black fraternities and sororities. Moving into the 2000s, several new social Greek organizations were founded, and multicultural organizations began to rise to prominence.

1800s: Debating societies, secret societies, and the creation of fraternities

Members of the Jefferson Society, a university debating society.

For several decades following the founding of the university, the major student societies on Grounds were the debating societies. Several of these societies, notably the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society and the Washington Literary Society and Debating Union, are still active today. These and other debating societies that are no longer in existence, such as the Philomathean Society and the Parthenon Society, served as the primary means of student societal activity in the early days of the University.[4]

In the decade before the Civil War, eleven fraternities established chapters at the university. The first was Delta Kappa Epsilon, or DKE, which was founded in 1852 as a "secret" colony and remains active to this day.[5] Faculty were originally against the creation of fraternities due to years of riotous behavior among the students and attacks upon faculty. According to University historian Philip Alexander Bruce, the faculty feared "orderly spirit of the student body acting as a whole or in segments, whether organized into secret fraternities or into Calathumpian bands." Despite these objections, however, a chapter of DKE was founded, and other Greek fraternities followed.[6] It can be said generally about the early UVa fraternities that the only "secret" aspect of them was their operation and meeting location; the membership was not kept secret. As is the case with most modern fraternities, the original fraternities on Grounds were meant to provide social engagement and promote close ties between members.[5].

Fraternity growth was interrupted by the Civil War, as men from many Southern colleges halted their studies to join the Confederate army. Many fraternity chapters ceased to exist during this time, but some students made efforts to preserve their fraternities as the war continued.[2] Harry St. John Dixon, a member of Sigma Chi from the University of Virginia, joined with four other Sigma Chi brothers from other universities to form the Constantine Chapter of the fraternity. Created in 1864, this chapter was meant to preserve the bonds of the fraternity during the war, promote ties between the North and South, and ensure the fraternity's continued existence.[7][2]

The expansion of fraternity life resumed after the war; by 1892 there were eighteen fraternities on Grounds. Fraternities began to share the social spotlight with ribbon societies at the university, which were founded in reaction to the fraternities' social exclusivity. The ribbon societies, such as Eli Banana and T.I.L.K.A., were originally meant to increase social involvement among students, but eventually took on a political role in the university as well. They became particularly prestigious, mainly pulling their membership from fraternities, and election to their societies was considered a high honor.[8] Despite this social competition, fraternities continued to grow at the university.[9]

1868: Founding of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity

The Lawn at the University of Virginia, where Pi Kappa Alpha and Kappa Sigma were founded.

Pi Kappa Alpha was founded on Sunday evening March 1, 1868, at 47 West Range at the University of Virginia, by Robertson Howard, Julian Edward Wood, James Benjamin Sclater Jr., Frederick Southgate Taylor, Littleton Waller Tazewell Bradford and William Alexander.[10][2] On March 1, 1869, exactly one year after the Alpha Chapter at the University of Virginia was formed, the Beta Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha was founded at Davidson College.[11] The Theta Chapter, at Rhodes College, took over the responsibilities of the Alpha Chapter when the fraternity was in decline in its infancy. John Shaw Foster, a junior founder from the Theta Chapter, helped to reestablish the Alpha Chapter at the University of Virginia. After almost a decade of decline, Pi Kappa Alpha was "re-founded" as part of the Hampden-Sydney Convention, held in a dorm room at Hampden–Sydney College. Pi Kappa Alpha was not originally organized as a sectional fraternity; however, by constitutional provision it became so in 1889.[12] It remained a southern fraternity until the New Orleans Convention in 1909 when Pi Kappa Alpha officially declared itself a national organization.[13] Originally, Pi Kappa Alpha's membership was restricted to white men, but the race restriction was removed in 1964.[14]

1869: Founding of Kappa Sigma fraternity

46 East Lawn residence at the University of Virginia, site of the founding of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

On December 10, 1869, five students at the University of Virginia met in 46 East Lawn and founded the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.[2] William Grigsby McCormick, George Miles Arnold, John Covert Boyd, Edmund Law Rogers, Jr., and Frank Courtney Nicodemus established the fraternity based on the traditions and of an ancient order at the University of Bologna in the Middle Ages. These five founders became collectively known as the "Five Friends and Brothers."[15][16] In 1872, Kappa Sigma initiated Stephen Alonzo Jackson, who would go on to transform the struggling local fraternity into a strong international Brotherhood.[17] In 1873, thanks to Jackson's work, Kappa Sigma expanded to Trinity College (Now Duke University),[18] the University of Maryland, and Washington and Lee University.[16] Since then, Kappa Sigma has become one of the largest international fraternites with over 300 active chapters and colonies in North America.[19]

Early 1900s: Residences, professional fraternities, and the first women's fraternities

Many of the houses constructed during this time are still in use today: above is the Kappa Sigma house, taken in 1917; below is the same house used by Kappa Sigma in the present day.

In the beginning of the twentieth century the fraternity system continued to expand at such a rapid pace that university newspapers questioned if the increase in the number of fraternities would ever end. Many fraternity chapters were founded during this time that no longer exist at the university, such Alpha Chi Rho, Theta Nu Epsilon, Delta Phi, and Delta Chi. Other chapters that are still active were founded at this time as well, such as Theta Chi and Phi Sigma Kappa.[20]

Also during this time fraternities began to purchase and construct houses. In 1908, the university's Board of Visitors first offered a land lease and a $12,000 loan to Kappa Sigma to construct a fraternity house; many other fraternities followed. Most of these were located just north of the Rotunda, on Rugby Road, Madison Lane, University Place, and the surrounding streets. Some of these houses cost up to $20,000 to build. By 1916 most fraternities had built, purchased, or rented a house for their members.[20]

Around the turn of the century, scholastic Greek organizations appeared on grounds. The university chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was founded in 1908, promoting scholarship in all fields of study. Different schools had specific honor and professional societies as well: Phi Delta Phi for the law department, Phi Rho Sigma for medicine, Kappa Delta Mu for chemistry, and many others. A chapter of Theta Tau, an engineering society, was founded in 1923, and Trigon Engineering Society was founded in 1924 as a local fraternity for engineering students.[20][21] Trigon and Theta Tau dominated student government in the Engineering School during this time, often fielding competing candidates for student office. Likewise in the College, the University Party and the Cavalier Party were dominated by Lambda Pi and Skull & Keys, two Greek organizations.[22]

It was during the first half of the twentieth century that the first women's fraternities were established. The university first admitted women to graduate programs in 1920, although undergraduate women were not allowed at the university until much later. With these graduate women came several female Greek organizations, referred to alternately as sororities or women's fraternities. The first sorority to establish a chapter at the university was Chi Omega, whose chapter was founded in 1927. A Kappa Delta chapter followed in 1932, and a chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha was established twenty years later in 1952.[23]

In 1947, with the inauguration of Colgate Darden as president of the university, first-year students were prohibited from joining fraternities and sororities. This restriction was later eased to a one-semester prohibition, which is still in place today. During this time only 20 percent of students were members of fraternities. Darden was critical of the fraternities' behavior, arguing in a 1949 report to the Board of Visitors that the groups had failed to uphold the interests of the university community and to provide the leadership expected of them. Additionally, university leaders condemned the fraternities' treatment of their houses, which were extremely run down. Members would often solicit tens of thousands of dollars of donations from alumni to refurbish houses, only to see the improvements disappear within a few years. Despite the administrators' concerns, this problem was not addressed until 1983, when the university created the Historic Renovation Corporation, or HRC.[24] The HRC, which later became a subsidiary of the UVA Foundation, renovates and manages the properties of a number of fraternity and sorority houses.[25]

1970s: Easters and the introduction of African-American fraternities

The 1970s saw great upheaval in the Greek system and the university as a whole. Fraternities, whose membership was waning earlier, began to increase in size. In 1973 nearly 45 percent of first-years joined fraternities, the highest percentage in school history. Beginning in 1970, the annual Easters parties began to be particularly wild. Although the tradition began in the late 1800s as dances sponsored by the ribbon societies, in the 1970s the fraternities would flood Mad Bowl and the surrounding areas, creating huge mud pits for a weekend-long celebration. By 1976, it was estimated that 15,000 people had come from up and down the East Coast to pack Mad Bowl. Students washing mud off of themselves led to clogged drainage systems in the university, and entire dorms were flooded. Eventually the tradition became so belligerent and unmanageable that, in 1982, the university terminated Easters.[26][27]

African Americans were originally admitted to the university in the mid-1950s, but few attended until the 1970s; fraternities at this time were generally racially and religiously segregated. Although a student fraternity committee emphasized the fraternities' rejection of racial discrimination, in 1969 only 5 of 578 fraternity pledges were black. African-American fraternities and sororities soon established chapters at the university, although they presented themselves as service organizations rather than traditional social organizations. In the mid-1970s, although some black students were invited to join the heavily white fraternities, many preferred to join their own organizations. By the fall of 1973, four black fraternities and one black sorority had established chapters on grounds.[28]

1970s and 1980s: Creation of sororities

The current house of Chi Omega, the first sorority chapter established at UVa in 1927. While many other sororities exist at UVa, most were not founded until the 1970s and 1980s.

In 1970 the College of Arts and Sciences allowed the first women to enroll in its undergraduate programs, which effectively made the university coeducational. This led to the rapid establishment of many social sororities at the university, and by the end of 1970s there were eleven sorority chapters at the university, with still more chartered in the 1980s.[23]

In 1975 the sororities established the Inter-Sorority Council, or ISC, to govern the increasing number of sororities on grounds. The ISC was founded to continue the tradition of student self-governance, and was similar to the IFC in its function. The organization was named the Inter-Sorority Council to mimic the name of the Inter-Fraternity Council, which fraternities had established in 1934; this was meant to emphasize sorority women's equality with fraternity men. Later, in 2005, the ISC voted to formally associate with the National Panhellenic Conference, the national governing body of social sororities. Despite this change, the ISC at the university retained its name due to its historical heritage.[23]

2000 onward: The rise of multicultural fraternities

The first decade of the 2000s saw a quick rise in the number of multicultural organizations at UVa. In 1999, the first Latina and Asian-interest sorority chapters were founded at UVa, Omega Phi Beta and alpha Kappa Delta Phi, respectively. The university's first Latino fraternity, a chapter of Lambda Upsilon Lambda, was founded later that same year. These three organizations founded the Fraternity-Sorority Council, which was meant to organize the newly created multicultural organizations; in 2000, this group was renamed the Multicultural Greek Council, or MGC, and the council exists to this day.[29] With the creation of additional cultural fraternities and sororities, the MGC has grown to a total of eight organizations.[30]

This decade also marked the founding of the first independent fraternity to join the IFC. In 2000, when the Phi Delta Theta national organization decided to ban alcohol consumption in its chapter houses, the UVa chapter broke away from its national organization and created Phi Society. After debate within the IFC, Phi Society was admitted and recognized by the university. Phi Society is viewed as the continuation of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity that existed prior to 2000 and maintains the same house. In 2001, Phi Delta Theta established another chapter at the university that adheres to its directives concerning alcohol consumption.[31]

Greek councils

There are several councils at UVa that oversee the functions of their member organizations. While most Greek organizations are members of a Greek council, there are several organizations that are independent of these councils, mainly coeducational organizations, professional fraternities, and honor societies. Traditionally, a student is not allowed to join more than one social fraternity or sorority; however, students are normally allowed to join independent fraternities or sororities (mainly professional or honor organizations) in addition to a social fraternity or sorority.[32] The four Greek councils at the University of Virginia are as follows:

  • The Inter-Fraternity Council, or IFC, is the oldest of the Greek councils. Founded in 1934, the IFC oversees 30 social fraternities and is led by a governing board that is elected by the brothers of the member fraternities. The IFC works with the Presidents' Council, which consists of fraternity chapter presidents, to govern the fraternity community.[33]
  • The Inter-Sorority Council, or ISC, is the governing body of the majority of UVa's social sororities. The ISC was founded in 1975, is entirely student-run, and consists of 16 member sororities.[23]
  • The National Pan-Hellenic Council, or NPHC, was formed to unite the traditionally black organizations on Grounds. The NPHC was originally known as the Black Fraternal Council, which was established in 1973 by the charter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. In 2005, the BFC was renamed the National Pan-Hellenic Council. These member organizations include 8 total all-male fraternities and all-female sororities.[34] UVa's NPHC is not to be confused with the National Panhellenic Conference, which is the national governing body of social sororities.
  • The Multicultural Greek Council, or MGC, is the youngest of the Greek councils and comprises the multicultural Greek organizations on Grounds. Founded in 1999, the MGC is comprised of member organizations that include a total of 7 all-male fraternities and all-female sororities. Each of these organizations emphasizes a particular race or culture, particularly Asian or Latino culture; but although these organizations may have a certain cultural emphasis, membership is generally open to students of any race.[35]

Social fraternities

The University of Virginia has a large number of social fraternities. This list includes active all-male fraternities and coeducational fraternities that identify themselves primarily as social organizations, as opposed to professional, service, or honor organizations. Several of these fraternities were originally founded much earlier in the university's history, but went inactive and were reestablished later on. In these cases, the establishment date, reflects the establishment of the most recent incarnation of the fraternity.

Name House Image Date Founded at UVa Council Notes Refs
Alpha Delta Phi Not residential 2010 IFC The Virginia Chapter of Alpha Delta Phi was originally established in 1855, but was revoked two years later in the prelude to the Civil War. Its second charter was granted in 1987, but the chapter lost its charter again in 2003. The current chapter is the third incarnation, founded in 2010. [1][36][37]
Alpha Epsilon Pi The Alpha Epsilon Pi house at the University of Virginia. 1924 IFC Alpha Epsilon Pi, or "A E Pi," is a primarily Jewish fraternity that was originally founded at UVa in 1924. It obtained its original house in 1935 and moved into its current house in 1962. Although it lost its charter in 2010, it was recolonized in 2012. [1][38]
Alpha Phi Alpha Not residential 1974 NPHC Alpha Phi Alpha is one of four African-American fraternities at the university. Its chapter was established at UVa in 1974. [1]
Alpha Sigma Phi Not residential 2013 IFC Alpha Sigma Phi is the newest fraternity at the university, established in 2013. [1]
Alpha Tau Omega The Alpha Tau Omega house at the University of Virginia. 1868 IFC The university's chapter of Alpha Tau Omega, or "ATO," was founded in 1868. [1]
Beta Theta Pi The Beta Theta Pi house at the University of Virginia. 1855 IFC The university's chapter of Beta Theta Pi, or "Beta," is the third-oldest fraternity at the university and was founded in 1855. It owned a house on Rugby Road until its charter was revoked briefly in 1972, at which time the house was purchased by Delta Upsilon and Beta moved south of grounds. After DU moved in 2010, Beta repurchased the house, in which it currently resides. [1][39]
Chi Phi The Chi Phi house at the University of Virginia. 1859 IFC Chi Phi at the University of Virginia was originally a chapter of the Southern Order of Chi Phi, founded at the University of North Carolina in 1858. The modern Chi Phi fraternity was established in 1874 by the merger of three separate fraternities around the country, all bearing the name Chi Phi. Although the fraternity was not founded at the University of Virginia, the UVa chapter is considered the Alpha Chapter because it is the oldest chapter of the original three organizations: the Princeton Order of Chi Phi, founded at Princeton University, ceased to exist in 1859, the University of North Carolina chapter of the Southern Order ceased to exist during the Civil War, and the Northern Order, founded at Hobart College, was established in 1860, after the University of Virginia chapter. [1][40]
Delphic of Gamma Sigma Tau Not residential 2009 Independent The only extant undergraduate chapter of Delphic, and the first all-male multicultural fraternity on Grounds. [41]
Delta Kappa Epsilon The Delta Kappa Epsilon house at the University of Virginia. 1852 IFC Delta Kappa Epsilon, better known as "DKE" or "Deke," was the first fraternity established at the University of Virginia, and is the oldest in the Commonwealth. It obtained its house in 1914 and has remained there since. [1][42][43]
Delta Sigma Phi The Delta Sigma Phi house at the University of Virginia. 1921 IFC The Alpha Mu Chapter of Delta Sigma Phi was established at UVa in 1921. [1]
Delta Upsilon The Delta Upsilon house at the University of Virginia. 1922 IFC The university's chapter of Delta Upsilon, better known as "DU," was originally founded as the Delta Alpha Social Society. In 1922 it was given a charter as the Virginia Chapter of Delta Upsilon. During World War II the chapter closed temporarily, and was reopened in 1949. In 1969 its house on Rugby Road was destroyed by arson. It moved temporarily, and when Beta's charter was revoked in the 1970s, DU purchased Beta's former house next to Beta Bridge. In 2010, DU constructed its current fraternity house, the first to be constructed at the university in over fifty years. [1][44]
Kappa Alpha Order The Kappa Alpha house at the University of Virginia. 1873 IFC Kappa Alpha Order, better known as "KA," was chartered at UVa in 1873. It originally resided on University Circle and planned to build a replica of Robert E. Lee's Stratford Hall as its official fraternity house; however, plans fell through and the university's Alumni Hall was built on the site soon after. KA's next house burned down in 1958, and soon afterward they moved into their current house on Rugby Road. [1][45]
Kappa Alpha Psi Not residential 1974 NPHC Kappa Alpha Psi is one of four black fraternities on grounds, founded in 1974. It was chartered by Linwood Jacobs, an associate professor and associate dean who was responsible for facilitating the establishment of the Pan Hellenic Council at the university, and was quickly filled by university students. [1][46]
Kappa Sigma The Kappa Sigma house at the University of Virginia. 1869 IFC Kappa Sigma was founded at the University of Virginia on December 10, 1869 in Room 46 East Lawn. The fraternity has since spread to hundreds of other schools. Kappa Sigma constructed one of the first fraternity houses on grounds, in which it still resides today. [1][47]
Lambda Phi Epsilon The Lambda Phi Epsilon house at the University of Virginia. 2002 MGC Lambda Phi Epsilon, or "Lambda," established a chapter at the University of Virginia in 2002. Lambda is an Asian-American interest fraternity, although students of all races are welcome to join; it is also the only residential MGC organization. [1][48]
Lambda Upsilon Lambda Not residential 1999 MGC Lambda Upsilon Lambda, a Latino fraternity, established a chapter on grounds in 1999. [1]
Omega Psi Phi Not residential 1973 NPHC The UVa chapter of Omega Psi Phi was established in 1973. [1]
Phi Beta Sigma Not residential 1974 NPHC The university's chapter of Phi Beta Sigma was established in 1974. The chapter became inactive in 1993, but returned in 2000. [1][49]
Phi Delta Theta The Phi Delta Theta house at the University of Virginia. 2001 IFC The modern chapter of Phi Delta Theta was established in 2001, after the preexisting chapter at the university severed ties with its national organization and became Phi Society. Although a chapter of the fraternity has existed since 1873, the current chapter of Phi Delta Theta is viewed as a new organization, and Phi Society is viewed by alumni as the successor organization to Phi Delta Theta from before 2000. [1][31]
Phi Gamma Delta The FIJI house at the University of Virginia. 1858 IFC Phi Gamma Delta, better known as "Fiji," established a chapter at the university in 1858. [1]
Phi Kappa Psi The Phi Kappa Psi house at the University of Virginia. 1853 IFC The university's chapter of Phi Kappa Psi was established in 1853 and is one of the oldest fraternities on grounds. The chapter counts among its alumni Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States. The chapter has also been a source of controversy, most recently due to an article published by Rolling Stone magazine but since retracted and discredited. [1][50][51]
Phi Sigma Kappa The Phi Sigma Kappa house at the University of Virginia. 1907 IFC The university chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa, better known as "Phi Sig," was founded in 1907. [1]
Phi Society The Phi Society house at the University of Virginia. 1873 IFC Phi Society is the only local fraternity recognized by the IFC. When the national organization of Phi Delta Theta banned alcohol consumption in chapter houses in 2000, the University of Virginia chapter broke away from its national organization and established itself as Phi Delta Alpha, a local fraternity. Without a national charter, the local fraternity was derecognized by the IFC. The newly formed Phi Delta Alpha fraternity then obtained recognition with the university's Multicultural Greek Council, and was readmitted to the IFC in 2003. In 2002 the fraternity changed its name to Phi Society. Phi Society is generally accepted by alumni to be the successor organization to Phi Delta Theta from before 2000. The national organization of Phi Delta Theta has since chartered a new chapter at the university. [1][52][53][31]
Pi Kappa Alpha The Pi Kappa Alpha house at the University of Virginia. 1868 IFC Pi Kappa Alpha, better known as "PiKA," is one of two national fraternities founded at UVa, the other being Kappa Sigma. PiKA was founded in 1868 in Room 47 West Range. The second chapter was then founded at Davidson College, and the third at William and Mary. The fraternity resides in a house on Rugby Road. [54][55]
Pi Kappa Phi The Pi Kappa Phi house at the University of Virginia. 1961 IFC The UVa chapter of Pi Kappa Phi was founded in 1961. [1]
Pi Lambda Phi The Pi Lambda Phi house at the University of Virginia. 1932 IFC Pi Lambda Phi, better known as "Pi Lam," founded a chapter at UVa in 1932. During World War II the chapter membership began to decline. The chapter was rechartered in 1969 and became the first racially and religiously integrated fraternity on grounds. [1][56]
Sigma Alpha Epsilon The Sigma Alpha Epsilon house at the University of Virginia. 1857 IFC The university's chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, better known as "SAE," was founded in 1857. The chapter did not survive the Civil War, but was refounded soon after. It again folded in 1878, but was re-established yet again. The fraternity purchased a house at 1703 Grady Avenue in 1936, and recently moved to its current house in 2006. [1][57]
Sigma Alpha Mu The Sigma Alpha Mu house at the University of Virginia. 1968 IFC The Beta Psi chapter of Sigma Alpha Mu, better known as "Sammy," was founded in 1968 and re-founded in 2005. It has moved residences multiple times during its history. [1][58]
Sigma Chi The Sigma Chi house at the University of Virginia. 1860 IFC The Psi Chapter of Sigma Chi was founded at UVa in 1860. The chapter became disorganized during the Civil War, although it was reorganized afterward. During the war Harry St. John Dixon, one of the chapter's members, created the Constantine Chapter to preserve the fraternity in the South after the war and to maintain bonds between the North and South. The Sigma Chi house is named the Constantine Memorial Chapter House in his honor. [1][59][7][2]
Sigma Phi Society The Sigma Phi house at the University of Virginia. 1954 IFC The university's chapter of Sigma Phi Society was formed from a local fraternity called the Serpentine Club in 1953. The fraternity occupies the house formerly used by UVa's chapter of Delta Tau Delta. The UVa chapter was the first chapter of the fraternity to be founded below the Mason-Dixon Line. [1][60]
Sigma Pi The Sigma Pi house at the University of Virginia. 1959 IFC The Beta Pi chapter of Sigma Pi was founded at UVa in 1959. [1]
St. Anthony Hall The St. Anthony Hall house at the University of Virginia. 1860 IFC The Upsilon chapter of St. Anthony Hall, better known as "The Hall," was founded in 1860. It closed in 1861 at the beginning of the Civil War and did not reactivate until 1866. [1][61]
St. Elmo Hall The St. Elmo Hall house at the University of Virginia. 1908 IFC St. Elmo Hall, better known as "Elmo," established a chapter at UVa in 1908. During World War II the entire chapter of St. Elmo Hall joined the armed forces, but after the war several members returned to UVa to revive the chapter. When the houses of Elmo and other fraternities began to deteriorate in the 1980s, alumni of St. Elmo Hall prompted the founding of the Historical Renovation Corporation, which works to maintain and improve the houses in question. [1][62]
Tau Kappa Epsilon Not residential 2012 IFC Tau Kappa Epsilon, better known as "Teke" or "TKE," founded a chapter at UVa in 2012. [1]
Theta Chi The Theta Chi house at the University of Virginia. 1914 IFC Theta Chi was founded as local fraternity Eta Pi Rho in 1913, and was granted a charter as the Xi chapter of Theta Chi in 1914. It was originally located on Carr's Hill, but moved to its current house on Preston Place in 1968. [1][63]
Theta Delta Chi The Theta Delta Chi house at the University of Virginia. 1857 IFC Theta Delta Chi, also known as "TDX," established a chapter at UVa in 1857. [1]
Trigon Engineering Society The Trigon house at the University of Virginia. 1924 Independent Trigon Engineering Society, better known as "Trigon," is a coed social fraternity for engineering students. It was founded in 1924 as the Delta Society, a political society at UVa, but quickly decided to pursue fraternal activities as well, adopting the name Trigon, the Greek letters Gamma Delta Epsilon, a handshake, pin, motto, and other fraternal symbols. Although the society was particularly involved in student government during the first half of the twentieth century, it dropped its political mission in the 1960s. Trigon has refrained from associating with a national fraternity in order to maintain its independence and autonomy. [21][22]
Zeta Beta Tau The Zeta Beta Tau house at the University of Virginia. 1915 IFC Zeta Beta Tau, or "ZBT," founded a chapter at UVa in 1915. [1]
Zeta Psi The Zeta Psi house at the University of Virginia. 1868 IFC Zeta Psi, or "Zete," founded a chapter at UVa in 1868. [1]

Social sororities

In addition to social fraternities, the University of Virginia has a large number of social sororities. This list includes active all-female sororities that identify themselves primarily as social organizations, as opposed to professional, service, or honor organizations. All-female Greek organizations that refer to themselves as "women's fraternities" are included in this list as well.

Name House Image Date Founded at UVa Council Notes Refs
Alpha Chi Omega The Alpha Chi Omega house at the University of Virginia. 1980 ISC Alpha Chi Omega, better known as "AXO," founded the Zeta Lambda chapter at UVa in 1980. [1]
Alpha Delta Pi The Alpha Delta Pi house at the University of Virginia. 1977 ISC Alpha Delta Pi, or "ADPi," established its UVa chapter in 1977. [1]
Alpha Kappa Alpha Not residential 1974 NPHC Alpha Kappa Alpha is one of four African-American sororities on grounds, and established its UVa chapter in 1974. [1]
alpha Kappa Delta Phi Not residential 1999 MGC alpha Kappa Delta Phi is an Asian-American interest sorority; it established its UVa chapter in 1999 thanks to the actions of the Young Asian Women's Alliance at the university. It is one of the founding members of the Fraternity-Sorority Council, which later became the MGC. [1][64][29]
Alpha Phi The Alpha Phi house at the University of Virginia. 1978 ISC The university's chapter of Alpha Phi was founded in 1978. [1]
Chi Omega The Chi Omega house at the University of Virginia. 1927 ISC Chi Omega was the first sorority founded at the University of Virginia, in 1927, after women were allowed to enter graduate programs at the university. [1]
Delta Delta Delta The Delta Delta Delta house at the University of Virginia. 1975 ISC Delta Delta Delta, better known as "Tridelt," established a chapter at UVa in 1975. [1]
Delta Gamma The Delta Gamma house at the University of Virginia. 1978 ISC The university's chapter of Delta Gamma, better known as "DG," was founded in 1978. Since 1980, the sorority has had a house on Madison Lane. [1][65]
Delta Sigma Theta Not residential 1973 NPHC The UVa chapter of Delta Sigma Theta was founded in 1973 and was the first African-American sorority at the university. [1][66]
Delta Zeta The Delta Zeta house at the University of Virginia. 1977 ISC The university's chapter of Delta Zeta, better known as "DZ," was founded in 1977. [1]
Gamma Phi Beta The Gamma Phi Beta house at the University of Virginia. 1994 ISC Gamma Phi Beta established a chapter at UVa in 1994. [1]
Kappa Alpha Theta The Kappa Alpha Theta house at the University of Virginia. 1976 ISC The Delta Chi chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, better known as "Theta," was founded at UVa in 1976. [1]
Kappa Delta The Kappa Delta house at the University of Virginia. 1932 ISC The Beta Alpha chapter of Kappa Delta, better known as "KD," was established at UVa in 1932, and is the second oldest sorority at the university. [1]
Kappa Kappa Gamma The Kappa Kappa Gamma house at the University of Virginia. 1976 ISC The UVa chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma, better known as "Kappa," was established in 1976. [1]
Lambda Theta Alpha Not residential 2001 MGC The Gamma Alpha chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha was established at UVa in 2001 from an interest group called the Sisters of Diversity. It was the first Latina sorority at the university. [1][67]
Pi Beta Phi The Pi Beta Phi house at the University of Virginia. 1975 ISC Pi Beta Phi, better known as "Pi Phi," established the university's chapter in 1975. Pi Phi was the first national sorority to be established at UVa after the university became coeducational in 1969, although several sororities existed at UVa prior to that time. Pi Phi purchased its chapter house in 1975. [1][68]
Sigma Delta Tau Not residential 2011 ISC Sigma Delta Tau, also known as "SDT," established a chapter at UVa in 2011. [1]
Sigma Gamma Rho Not residential 1980 NPHC Sigma Gamma Rho is one of four black sororities at UVa and was established in 1980. [1]
Sigma Kappa The Sigma Kappa house at the University of Virginia. 1987 ISC Sigma Kappa, also known as "SK," established a chapter at UVa in 1987. [1]
Sigma Lambda Upsilon Not residential 2013 MGC UVa's chapter of Sigma Lambda Upsilon, a Latina sorority, was established in 2013. [1]
Sigma Psi Zeta Not residential 2001 MGC Sigma Psi Zeta, an Asian-interest sorority, established a chapter at UVa in 2001. The chapter evolved from an Asian interest group called Sisterhood of Young Asians. [1][69]
Sigma Sigma Sigma The Sigma Sigma Sigma house at the University of Virginia. 1981 ISC The university's chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma, better known as "Trisig," was established in 1981. [1]
Theta Nu Xi Not residential 2002 MGC Theta Nu Xi, a multicultural sorority, established a chapter at UVa in 2002. [1]
Zeta Phi Beta Not residential 1978 NPHC Zeta Phi Beta is one of four black sororities on grounds, and the UVa chapter was established in 1978. [1]
Zeta Tau Alpha The Zeta Tau Alpha house at the University of Virginia. 1952 ISC The Gamma Nu chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha, better known as "Zeta," was established at UVa in 1952. [1]

Service fraternities, professional fraternities and honor societies

The University of Virginia also has chapters of numerous Greek organizations whose primary focus is not social. The majority of these organizations are coeducational, and all are independent of the Greek councils. While membership in professional fraternities is generally open to any student studying that profession, membership requirements for honor societies are often more demanding and require specific academic or extracurricular achievements.

Service fraternities

Name House Image Date Founded at UVa Council Notes Refs
Alpha Phi Omega Not residential Independent Alpha Phi Omega, better known as APO, is a coed service fraternity.

Professional fraternities

Name House Image Date Founded at UVa Council Notes Refs
Alpha Chi Sigma The Alpha Chi Sigma house at the University of Virginia. Independent Alpha Chi Sigma is a professional chemistry fraternity.
Alpha Kappa Psi Not residential 1921 Independent AKPsi is a coed professional business fraternity.
Alpha Omega Epsilon Not residential 2005 Independent Alpha Omega Epsilon, or AOE, is a professional engineering sorority. [70]
Theta Tau Not residential 1923 Independent Theta Tau is a coed professional engineering fraternity. In the first half of the twentieth century it was particularly active in student government of the Engineering School, along with Trigon, which was its rival organization at the time. [22]

Honor societies

Name House Image Date Founded at UVa Council Notes Refs
Chi Epsilon Not residential 1977 Independent Chi Epsilon is a civil engineering honor society.
Omega Chi Epsilon Not residential Independent Omega Chi Epsilon is a chemical engineering honor society.
Phi Beta Kappa Not residential 1908 Independent Phi Beta Kappa is a coed honor society. [20]
Phi Sigma Pi Not residential 1991 Independent Phi Sigma Pi, or "PSP," is a coed national honor society. [71]
Pi Tau Sigma Not residential 1977 Independent Pi Tau Sigma is a mechanical engineering honor society. [72]
Sigma Theta Tau Not residential Independent Sigma Theta Tau is a national coed nursing honor society.
Tau Beta Pi Not residential 1921 Independent Tau Beta Pi is an engineering honor society.

Controversies

Rolling Stone article

In 2014 the University of Virginia fraternity and sorority system became the focus of significant national scrutiny due to the publication of an article in the December 2014 issue of Rolling Stone magazine, entitled "A Rape on Campus" and authored by Sabrina Erdely. The article alleged that in September 2012, a group of male fraternity members at the university had attacked and raped a female student as part of an initiation rite at a party at the university's chapter of Phi Kappa Psi. The article further asserted that the university's sexual assault policies were severely lacking and that the university administration did not handle sexual assault cases appropriately.[73] The article attracted significant media attention and made national headlines, leading to the suspension of the university's Greek system and further investigation into the article's claims; these investigations quickly revealed numerous inconsistencies and raised serious questions about the article's veracity. On January 12, 2015, Charlottesville Police Department officials told the University that "their investigation has not revealed any substantive basis to confirm that the allegations raised in the Rolling Stone article occurred at Phi Kappa Psi...so there's no reason to keep them suspended".[74][75] On January 30, 2015, UVa President Teresa Sullivan acknowledged that the Rolling Stone story was discredited.[76] Charlottesville Police officially suspended their four-month investigation on March 23, 2015, stating that they had no evidence of a gang rape taking place, and that "there is no substantive basis to support the account alleged in the Rolling Stone article."[77] On April 5, 2015, Rolling Stone officially retracted the article and has issued multiple apologies for the story.[51]

See also

References

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