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Tau Kappa Epsilon (Syracuse University Chapter) Collection

An inventory of its collection at the Syracuse University Archives

Summary

Creator: Tau Kappa Epsilon.
Title: Tau Kappa Epsilon (Syracuse University Chapter) Collection
Dates: 1909-2009
Size: 2 boxes (1.25 linear feet)
Abstract: The Tau Kappa Epsilon Collection contains photographs, correspondence and other materials related to its members, activities, and preceding fraternities at Syracuse University.
Language: English
Repository: University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600
Syracuse, NY 13244-2010
https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives

Historical Note

Tau Kappa Epsilon resulted from two predecessor fraternities: Theta Alpha and Pi Alpha Chi. In 1909, a group of junior and sophomore students saw the need for a new social fraternity at Syracuse University, and they created the Alpha Chapter of Theta Alpha. Through the 1910s and 1920s, the local chapter branched out to other schools and created another three chapters nationally, but by the 1933, the Alpha Chapter at Syracuse University was the only one left. In the late 1930s the makeup of fraternity membership changed, leading to problems and eventually the removal of Theta Alpha's charter in 1939.

In 1936, a new fraternity, Pi Alpha Chi, was created. It was founded to provide an alternative to the expensive nationally affiliated fraternities already on campus. It was officially added to the Campus Inter-Fraternity Council in 1939 with special stipulations. The fraternity, to keep costs low, would not be required to pay council dues, but had to conduct their rushing after all other council members had conducted theirs. During World War II, as with most fraternities, Pi Alpha Chi suffered from a short period of inactivity. After coming back in 1946, the Pi Alpha Chi considered merging with another fraternity to gain more permanent housing and more stability. Theta Alpha alumni, eager to bring their own chapter back, wanted a local chapter to assume the brotherhood. Having a house at 111 College Place, Theta Alpha provided what Pi Alpha Chi was looking for. In 1947, the two groups merged, calling themselves Pi Alpha Chi of Theta Alpha.

In 1962, Pi Alpha Chi of Theta Alpha felt they could no longer provide members with the same opportunities that other nationally fraternities did at Syracuse University and after considering multiple national fraternities, they petitioned to become affiliated with Tau Kappa Epsilon. After becoming affiliated, pledges had to wear both Pi Alpha Chi of Theta Alpha and Tau Kappa Epsilon pins. In February of 1963, after a one-year probation period, they received their full charter becoming the Iota Zeta Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon. Past alumni of the local chapters were also eligible for Tau Kappa Epsilon membership.

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Scope and Content Note

The Tau Kappa Epsilon (Syracuse University Chapter) Collection contains materials related to Theta Alpha, Pi Alpha Chi of Theta Alpha and Tau Kappa Epsilon that span from 1909 to 2009. The collection is divided into three series: Pi Alpha Chi of Theta Alpha, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and Theta Alpha.

The Pi Alpha Chi of Theta Alpha series contains publications, meeting minutes and other records related to its members and activities at Syracuse University. Included is information relating to their transition to Tau Kappa Epsilon.

The Tau Kappa Epsilon series consists of correspondence and publications related its activities as a national fraternity at Syracuse University.

The Theta Alpha series contains dance cards and materials related to the union of Theta Alpha and Pi Alpha Chi. Also in the collection are correspondence and other materials related to the Theta Alpha Fraternity Endowed Scholarship Fund, which began in 1973 with a $66,000 donation by Theta Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

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Related Material

The Archives holds additional materials relating to Theta Alpha, Tau Kappa Epsilon and their houses in the Clippings File and Photograph Collection.

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Selected Search Terms

Names

Pi Alpha Chi.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.
Tau Kappa Epsilon.
Theta Alpha.

Subjects

Fraternities.
Greek letter societies.
Higher education.

Types of material

Dance cards.
Photographs.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Tau Kappa Epsilon (Syracuse University Chapter) Collection,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Laurel Chapman donated collection materials to the Archives in 2000. Additionally, Ellen Lamb donated her father's Theta Alpha materials to the Archives in 2009.

Processing Information

Materials were placed in archival folders. Photographs were removed from photograph albums for preservation.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: Anna Smallwood
Date: 2016
Revision history:

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Arrangement

Materials are arranged in alphabetical order.

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Inventory

Pi Alpha Chi of Theta Alpha
Box 1 Alumni Fraternity Directory undated
Box 1 Alumni Newsletter and Correspondence 1958-1970
Box 1 Correspondence and Reports 1947-1955, 2006
Box 1 History and Bylaws undated
Box 1 Housing Information 1948-1962
Box 1 Meeting Minutes 1959-1962
Box 1 Membership Information 1959-1962
Box 1 Newsletter 1948-1962
Box 1 Officers 1961-1962
Box 1 Rushing Rules 1961-1963
Tau Kappa Epsilon
Box 1 Activities 1962-1963
Box 1 Correspondence 1964-2009
Box 1 Resource Guides undated
Box 1 "The Orange TKE" 1969-1971
Theta Alpha
Box 1 Alumni Correspondence 1947-1985
Box 1 Alumni Directory undated
Box 1 Alumni Photographs 1936-2005
Box 1 Alumni Reunion Photographs 1969-1991
Box 1 Alumni Reunion Photographs 1992-2003
Box 1 Banquet Programs 1909-1920
Box 1 Clippings 1938-1994
Box 1 Constitution and Bylaws between 1909-1922
Box 1 Correspondence 1937-1947
Box 1 Dance Cards 1937
Box 1 Fraternity Directories 1924, 1927
Box 1 "Grand Chapter of the Theta Alpha Fraternity" 1930
Box 1 History undated
Box 1 Merger with Pi Alpha Chi 1947
Box 1 Newsletter 1936
Box 1 Theta Alpha Fraternity Endowed Scholarship 1996-2000
Box 2 Theta Alpha Fraternity Endowed Scholarship 2000-2008
Box 2 Theta Alpha Endowed Scholarship Fund - Legal Paperwork 1973-1981
Box 2 "The Theta Alphan: Official Program of the Theta Alpha Fraternity" 1912-1922, 1938
Box 2 Sale of 111 College Place 1973, 1979

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