The History of Syracuse University Fraternity and Sorority Community

The American college fraternity concept began in 1776 when Phi Beta Kappa was founded at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Phi Beta Kappa had all the characteristics of the modern fraternity, the mystery of secrecy, a ritual, oaths of fidelity, a grip, a motto, a badge, a commitment to high ideals, strong ties of friendship and comradeship, and an urge for demonstrating its values through nationwide expansion. Shortly after its organization, chapters were established at several other institutions, including Yale, Harvard, and Dartmouth.

Syracuse University fraternity system has been a part of campus life since 1871, beginning with the colonization of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.

The sorority system’s rich history has included the founding of three national sororities at Syracuse, Alpha Phi in 1872, Gamma Phi Beta in 1874, and Alpha Gamma Delta in 1904.

During the late nineteenth century, six additional national fraternities and four national sororities established chapters at the University.

This trend continued through the 20th century, and as a result, every National Interfraternity Conference (NIC) fraternity and National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sorority was represented at Syracuse University at some point during this period.

The first National Pan-Hellenic (NPHC) fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., arrived at Syracuse in 1922; however, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the first NPHC sorority did not colonize until 1973.

Latino and Latina groups joined the fraternity and sorority system in 1991 with the founding of Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. and Sigma Lambda Upsilon Sorority, Inc.

Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. became the first multicultural Greek-letter organization in 1997.

The fraternity and sorority community at Syracuse University has changed over time to respond to the evolving needs of the student body.

The Interfraternity Council expanded in 2003 with the founding at Syracuse University of a chapter of Delta Lambda Phi, a national fraternity focused on the concerns of gay, bisexual, and progressive men.

Then, in 2005, the Psi Psi local fraternity was officially recognized as a member fraternity of the Interfraternity Council with an ambitious goal of recolonizing the Psi Psi Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity during 2006-2007 academic year.