List of fraternities and sororities at San Diego State University

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 nearly 50 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]

Main article: San Diego State University

As of Spring 2019, members of social fraternities and sororities maintain a slightly higher average grade point average than the overall undergraduate average at SDSU.

History

The first fraternity on campus was the local Epsilon Eta fraternity, which formed on October 25, 1921. The group maintained strict rules for its members and limited the chapter to 20 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 one (Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, chartered in 1932).[4][5][6] On October 10, 1924, the Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) was founded. The organization consisted of the nine sororities then on campus plus the two fraternities. The organization's purpose 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 (later became the College Panhellenic Association [CPA]). By the mid-1930s there were eight fraternities and eleven sororities on campus, and later the 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 in quickly 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 also began the trend of Greek organizations starting to acquire property in the College Area 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 their 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 20 fraternities and 13 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 U.S.[9]

The 1990s ultimately proved to be 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 and several organizations shut down 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 (USFC), on September 24, 1997.

The early 2000s ushered in a new era for the Greek community with the SDSU Foundation's landmark development of Fraternity Row in 2002, where eight fraternities moved into newly-constructed chapter houses in a 1.4 acre complex adjacent to the also newly-constructed Viejas Arena (then Cox Arena). The complex consists of eight free-standing two story chapter houses, each with a private courtyard, and a total of 61 two and three bedroom apartment units (each overlooking one of the courtyards), in a contiguous four story structure.[10] The Foundation had planned to also construct "Sorority Row", a similar project designed with five free-standing chapter houses, following the completion of the Piedra Del Sol apartment complex and Fraternity Row. The project was abandoned in 2006 however, 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 the results of an investigation into illegal drug use in the College Area. Dozens of individuals were arrested in a large scale drug bust (known as Operation Sudden Fall), including several students, some of which 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 all closing during this period 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 nearly 50 fraternities and sororities, including both general and culturally-based organizations, represented through one of the four governing councils.

Chapters

Four governing councils represent the social fraternities and sororities of San Diego State University.

College Panhellenic Association (CPA)

The College Panhellenic Association (CPA) is the governing body of all National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) general social sororities on campus. With its nine active chapters, it currently represents over 1,700 women. 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
Organization Letters Chapter Local founding date Nickname(s)
Alpha Chi Omega ΑΧΩ Gamma Nu November 18, 1950* AChiO; Alpha Chi
Alpha Gamma Delta ΑΓΔ Delta Eta October 1, 1949* AGD; Alpha Gam
Alpha Phi ΑΦ Gamma Alpha October 1, 1949* A-Phi
Delta Gamma ΔΓ Epsilon Sigma October 28, 1984 DG
Delta Zeta ΔΖ Gamma Omicron November 18, 1949* DZ
Gamma Phi Beta ΓΦΒ Beta Lambda October 15, 1949* Gamma Phi; G-Phi
Kappa Alpha Theta ΚΑΘ Gamma Sigma January 26, 1951* Theta
Kappa Delta ΚΔ Beta Rho May 28, 1949* KD
Pi Beta Phi ΠΒΦ California Epsilon September 1, 1949* Pi Phi

*original charter date with national organization, does not reflect origin as previously local sorority

Dormant chapters
Organization Letters Chapter Local founding date Nickname(s) Last active date
Alpha Delta Pi ΑΔΠ Eta Sigma 1990 ADPi 2005
Alpha Epsilon Phi ΑΕΦ Epsilon Nu March 8, 1964 AEPhi 2014
Alpha Sigma Alpha ΑΣΑ Omega Omega January 16, 1932 ASA 1938
Alpha Xi Delta ΑΞΔ Gamma Alpha January 15, 1949* AZD; Alpha Xi 1998
Chi Omega ΧΩ Gamma Delta November 17, 1950* ChiO 1995
Sigma Kappa ΣΚ Beta Psi February 18, 1950* SK 2007

*original charter date with national organization, does not reflect origin as previously local sorority

Local sorority origins

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

  • Alpha Chi Omega originated as Sigma Pi Theta (ΣΠΘ) in 1924
  • Alpha Gamma Delta originated as Gamma Phi Zeta (ΓΦΖ) in 1924
  • Alpha Phi originated as Phi Kappa Gamma (ΦΚΓ) in 1924
  • Alpha Xi Delta originated as Delta Chi Phi (ΔΧΦ) in 1923
  • Chi Omega originated as Shen Yo in 1921
  • Delta Zeta originated as Alpha Sigma Chi (ΑΣΧ) in 1939
  • Gamma Phi Beta originated as Kappa Theta (ΚΘ) in 1923
  • Kappa Alpha Theta originated as Chi Theta (ΧΘ) in 1929
  • Kappa Delta originated as Epsilon Pi Theta (ΕΠΘ) in 1931
  • Pi Beta Phi originated as Phi Sigma Nu (ΦΣΝ) in 1925
  • Sigma Kappa originated as Tau Zeta Rho (TZP) in 1924

CPA activity timeline

Interfraternity Council (IFC)

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". Today its chapters consist of over 1,400 male students.[17][14]

Active chapters
Organization Letters Chapter Local founding date Nickname(s)
Alpha Epsilon Pi ΑΕΠ Sigma Delta December 7, 1970 AEPi
Delta Chi ΔΧ San Diego State December 5, 1965 D-Chi
Delta Sigma Phi ΔΣΦ Gamma Alpha November 14, 1948 Delta Sig; D-Sig
Delta Upsilon ΔΥ San Diego State May 11, 1966 DU
Kappa Alpha Order ΚΑ Gamma Iota October 15, 1950* KA; Kappa Alpha
Kappa Sigma ΚΣ Epsilon Iota December 6, 1947* Kappa Sig; K-Sig
Phi Delta Theta ΦΔΘ California Pi Spring 1989 Phi Delt
Phi Gamma Delta FIJI / ΦΓΔ Sigma Delta November 1, 1986 Fiji; Phi Gam
Phi Kappa Psi ΦΚΨ California Lambda February 17, 1996 Phi Psi
Pi Kappa Alpha ΠΚΑ Delta Kappa November 27, 1948* Pike
Sigma Alpha Epsilon ΣΑΕ California Theta October 8, 1949* SAE
Sigma Chi ΣΧ Delta Xi January 8, 1949* Sig Chi
Zeta Beta Tau ΖΒΤ Beta Lambda May 20, 1951* ZBT

*original charter date with national organization, does not reflect origin as previously local fraternity

Dormant chapters
Organization Letters Chapter Local founding date Nickname(s) Last active date Notes
Alpha Tau Omega ΑΤΩ Epsilon Psi November 4, 1950* ATO Fall 1994
Beta Theta Pi ΒΘΠ Epsilon Beta February 5, 1984 Beta Fall 2000
Lambda Chi Alpha ΛΧΑ Zeta Pi January 10, 1948 Lambda Chi Spring 2008
Phi Kappa Tau ΦΚΤ Beta Nu January 7, 1950* Phi Tau 1953
Phi Kappa Theta ΦΚΘ Phi Iota November 11, 1995 Phi Kap Fall 2017 Ineligible for reinstatement until August 2024[18]
Phi Sigma Kappa ΦΣΚ Rho Triton April 30, 1949 Phi Sig 1959
Sigma Alpha Mu ΣΑΜ Gamma Nu January 23, 1983 Sammy Fall 2009
Sigma Nu ΣΝ Eta Kappa February 1, 1963 Sig Nu Fall 2018 Ineligible for reinstatement until January 2022[18]
Sigma Phi Epsilon ΣΦΕ California Delta November 16, 1947* SigEp Fall 2019 Ineligible for reinstatement until May 2021[18]
Sigma Pi ΣΠ Alpha Omega May 18, 1949 Sig Pi Spring 2008
Tau Kappa Epsilon ΤΚΕ Gamma Lambda May 19, 1950* TKE; Teke Fall 2000
Theta Chi ΘΧ Gamma Theta November 8, 1947 Fall 2019 Ineligible for reinstatement until August 2023[18]

*original charter date with national organization, does not reflect origin as previously local fraternity

Local fraternity origins

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

  • Alpha Tau Omega originated as Tau Delta Chi (ΤΔΧ) in 1926
  • Kappa Alpha originated as Omega Xi (ΩΞ) in 1926
  • Kappa Sigma originated as Eta Omega Delta (ΗΩΔ) in 1922
  • Phi Kappa Tau originated as Kappa Phi Sigma (ΚΦΣ) in 1926
  • Pi Kappa Alpha originated as Delta Pi Beta (ΔΠΒ) in 1928
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon originated as Epsilon Eta (ΕΗ) in 1921
  • Sigma Chi originated as Phi Lambda Xi (ΦΛΞ) in 1925
  • Sigma Phi Epsilon originated as Sigma Delta Epsilon (ΣΔΕ) in 1940
  • Tau Kappa Epsilon originated as Sigma Lambda (ΣΛ) in 1926

IFC activity timeline

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)

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".[19][14]

Fraternities
Organization Letters Chapter Local Founding Date
Kappa Alpha Psi ΚΑΨ Delta Epsilon March 26, 1951
Omega Psi Phi ΩΨΦ Pi Mu August 14, 1976
Phi Beta Sigma ΦΒΣ Lambda Iota January 27, 1979

Sororities
Organization Letters Chapter Local Founding Date
Alpha Kappa Alpha ΑΚΑ Mu Iota May 23, 1978
Delta Sigma Theta ΔΣΘ Nu Epsilon May 7, 1977
Sigma Gamma Rho ΣΓΡ Delta Gamma June 5, 1970

United Sorority and Fraternity Council (USFC)

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.[20][14]

Asian/Pacific Islander-Based Chapters

Fraternities

Organization Letters Chapter Local Founding Date
Alpha Psi Rho ΑΨΡ Alpha March 1, 2000

Sororities

Organization Letters Chapter Local Founding Date
Alpha Phi Gamma ΑΦΓ Gamma April 15, 1998
Delta Sigma Psi ΔΣΨ Alpha December 12, 1998
Sigma Phi Omega ΣΦΩ Delta December 18, 1991

Latino/Latina-Based Chapters

Fraternities

Organization Letters Chapter Local Founding Date
Gamma Zeta Alpha ΓΖΑ Zeta May 31, 1997
Lambda Theta Phi ΛΘΦ Delta Gamma March 26, 2014
Nu Alpha Kappa ΝΑΚ Beta February 10, 1990
Sigma Lambda Beta ΣΛΒ Psi Gamma February 27, 2010

Sororities

Organization Letters Chapter Local Founding Date
Alpha Pi Sigma ΑΠΣ Alpha March 10, 1990
Lambda Theta Alpha ΛΘΑ Gamma Psi Spring 2005
Sigma Lambda Gamma ΣΛΓ Iota Gamma January 4, 2005

Multicultural-Based Chapters

Fraternities

Organization Letters Chapter Local Founding Date
Beta Gamma Nu ΒΓΝ Epsilon February 11, 2011

Sororities

Organization Letters Chapter Local Founding Date
Lambda Sigma Gamma ΛΣΓ Kappa April 24, 1994
Sigma Alpha Zeta ΣΑΖ Delta 1997
Sigma Theta Psi ΣΘΨ Alpha May 1, 1991
Upsilon Kappa Delta ΥΚΔ Beta April 24, 1998

Pride-Based Chapters

Fraternity

Organization Letters Chapter Local Founding Date
Delta Lambda Phi ΔΛΦ Alpha Delta 1992

Sorority

Organization Letters Chapter Local Founding Date
Gamma Rho Lambda ΓΡΛ Beta 2005

Auxiliary Organizations

FratMANers

Fraternity Men Against Negative Environments & Rape Situations

Greek Life Activities Board (GLAB)

Coordination board for activities within the Greek community

Order of Omega

Affiliate of the national Order of Omega, recognizing "fraternity men and women who have attained a high standard of leadership in inter-fraternity activities."

Rho Lambda

Leadership recognition society for sorority women from all female/co-ed councils

Sisster

Sororities Invested in Survivor Support, Training, and Ending Rape culture

Notable alumni

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

References
  1. "Greek Life Homepage | SDSU". go.sdsu.edu. Retrieved 2018-11-15.
  2. Starr, p. 121
  3. "The Daily Aztec, March 13, 1987". SDSU Library & Information Access.
  4. Starr, p. 59
  5. "Omega Omega | Alpha Sigma Alpha". Alpha Sigma Alpha. Retrieved 2018-11-15.
  6. "The State College Aztec". The State College Aztec. April 29, 1931.
  7. Starr, p. 127
  8. 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 June 28, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  13. "SDSU College Panhellenic Association". SDSU PANHELLENIC. Retrieved 2018-11-15.
  14. "Greek Life - Councils & Chapters | SDSU". go.sdsu.edu. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  15. Del Sudoeste yearbook, 1952. pp. 23–72.
  16. Del Sudoeste yearbook, 1955. pp. 119–175.
  17. "Home | SDSU IFC". Home | SDSU IFC. Retrieved 2018-11-15.
  18. "Greek Life - Judicial Reports | SDSU". go.sdsu.edu. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
  19. "NPHC @ SDSU". NPHC @ SDSU. Retrieved 2018-11-15.
  20. "United Sorority & Fraternity Council          San Diego State University". United Sorority & Fraternity Council          San Diego State University. Retrieved 2018-11-15.

Bibliography
  • Starr, Raymond; Harry Polkinhorn (1995). San Diego State University: A History in Word and Image. San Diego State University Press. ISBN 1-879691-30-2.
  • Mallios, Seth (2012). Hail Montezuma! The Hidden Treasures of San Diego State. Montezuma Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7442-5106-7.
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