University of Virginia Greek life

Madison Bowl at the University of Virginia is surrounded by several Greek houses. Visible from left to right are Phi Kappa Psi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, St. Anthony Hall, Sigma Phi Epsilon (now inactive), Zeta Tau Alpha, and St. Elmo Hall.

University of Virginia Greek life encompasses the collegiate Greek organizations on the grounds of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. Greek life at the university began in the 1850s with the establishment of a number of fraternities, and the system has since expanded to include sororities, professional organizations, service fraternities, honor fraternities, and cultural organizations. The Greek system has been significant to the history of the University of Virginia, and the history of the university's Greek system includes the founding of Kappa Sigma and Pi Kappa Alpha, two national fraternities.^[1]

Roughly 30% of the student body belongs to a social fraternity or sorority, with additional students involved in professional, service, and honor fraternities.^[2] 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.^[3] Additionally, three social fraternities hold reserved rooms on the Lawn and the Range: Kappa Sigma in Room 46 East Lawn, Trigon Engineering Society in Room 17 West Lawn, and Pi Kappa Alpha in Room 47 West Range.^[4] Reflecting UVA's tradition of student self-governance, the system is currently governed by four Greek Councils consisting of student leaders; however, it is also overseen by the Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life in the university's Office of the Dean of Students.^[5]

History

Greek life at UVA began a few decades after the school's establishment in 1819. Before this time social life at the university was fixed around debating societies; the now-defunct Patrick Henry Society, for instance, initially had a membership nearly equal to the size of the student body.^[6] 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.^[1] The twentieth century saw the system expand even more to include professional fraternities, social sororities, local fraternities, and black fraternities and sororities.^[7] 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, stand in front of the Rotunda.

For several decades following the founding of the university, the major student societies on grounds were the debating societies.^[6] 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.^[6]

In the decade before the Civil War, eleven fraternities established chapters at the university.^[8] The first was Delta Kappa Epsilon, or DKE, which was founded in 1852 as a "secret" colony and remains active to this day.^[8] 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 the "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.^[9] 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.^[8]

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.^[1] 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.^[1][10]

The expansion of fraternity life resumed after the war; by 1892 there were eighteen fraternities on grounds.^[11] 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.^[11] Despite this social competition, fraternities continued to grow at the university.^[12]

1868: Founding of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity

The Lawn (pictured) and the adjacent Range were the founding locations of Kappa Sigma and Pi Kappa Alpha.

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.^[1][13] 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.^[14] Expanding the fraternity proved difficult because the Civil War disorganized many Southern colleges, and many colleges banned the formation of secret societies.^[15][16] 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.^[17] Pi Kappa Alpha was not originally organized as a sectional fraternity; however, by constitutional provision it became so in 1889.^[16] It remained a Southern fraternity until the New Orleans Convention in 1909 when Pi Kappa Alpha officially declared itself a national organization.^[18] Originally, Pi Kappa Alpha's membership was restricted to white men, but the race restriction was removed in 1964.^[19]

1869: Founding of Kappa Sigma fraternity

Kappa Sigma was founded in 46 East Lawn residence at the University of Virginia.

On December 10, 1869, five students at the University of Virginia met in 46 East Lawn and founded the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.^[1][20] William Grigsby McCormick, George Miles Arnold, John Covert Boyd, Edmund Law Rogers, Jr., and Frank Courtney Nicodemus established the fraternity based on the traditions of the Kirjath Sepher, an ancient order at the University of Bologna in the Middle Ages. These five founders became collectively known as the "Five Friends and Brothers."^[20][21] In 1872, Kappa Sigma initiated Stephen Alonzo Jackson, who would go on to transform the struggling local fraternity into a strong international Brotherhood.^[22] In 1873, thanks to Jackson's work, Kappa Sigma expanded to Trinity College (now Duke University),^[23] the University of Maryland, and Washington and Lee University.^[20] Since then, Kappa Sigma has become a large international fraternity with over 300 active chapters and colonies in North America.^[24]

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

Many of the houses constructed during the early 1900s 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.^[25] Many fraternity chapters were founded during this time that no longer exist at the university, such Alpha Chi Rho, Theta Nu Epsilon, and Delta Chi. Other chapters that are still active were founded at this time as well, such as Theta Chi and Phi Sigma Kappa.^[25]

Also during this time fraternities began to purchase and construct houses. During the late 1800s fraternities did not have dedicated houses; instead, they inhabited residential areas scattered around grounds, such as Dawson's Row near the Lawn and boarding houses north of the university.^[26][27] 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, and many other fraternities followed.^[25] 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, and many drew inspiration from historic UVA buildings or residences of the Old South, using elements of Jeffersonian architecture.^[25][28][29] Two houses were even styled to closely resemble famous buildings in the area, with Zeta Psi's house modeled after Monticello and Farmington, and Phi Kappa Psi's house modeled after Carr's Hill.^[28][30][31] By 1916 most fraternities had built, purchased, or rented a house for their members.^[25]

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.^[25] 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.^[25] 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.^[25][32] 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.^[33]

This 1907 Sanborn Map shows Dawson's Row at the University of Virginia, southwest of the Lawn. In the late 1800s several fraternities inhabited houses along Dawson's Row prior to the construction of dedicated fraternity houses.

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.^[34][35] 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.^[34] A Kappa Delta chapter followed in 1932, and a chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha was established twenty years later in 1952.^[34]

In 1947, with the inauguration of Colgate Darden as president of the university, first-year students were prohibited from joining fraternities and sororities.^[36] This restriction was later eased to a one-semester prohibition, which is still in place today.^[37] During this time only 20 percent of students were members of the 24 fraternities on grounds.^[38] 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.^[36] 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.^[36] Despite the administrators' concerns, this problem was not addressed until 1983, when the university created the Historic Renovation Corporation, or HRC.^[36] The HRC, which later became a subsidiary of the UVA Foundation, renovates and manages the properties of a number of fraternity and sorority houses.^[39]

Late 1900s: Easters, African-American fraternities, and sororities

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, and with this increased membership came more rowdy behavior.^[40] In the 1970s the annual Easters parties, which had originated in the 1800s as formal dances sponsored by the ribbon societies, began to be particularly wild. The annual affair had evolved into a weekend-long celebration; the fraternities would flood Mad Bowl and the surrounding areas, creating huge mud pits for the event.^[35][41] By 1976, it was estimated that 15,000 people had come from up and down the East Coast to pack Mad Bowl.^[41] Students washing mud off of themselves led to clogged drainage systems in the university, and entire dorms were flooded.^[35][41] Eventually the tradition became so belligerent and unmanageable that, in 1982, the university terminated Easters.^[40][41]

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.^[35] Although a student fraternity committee emphasized the fraternities' rejection of racial discrimination, in 1969 only 5 of 578 fraternity pledges were black.^[35] African-American fraternities and sororities soon established chapters at the university, although they presented themselves as service organizations rather than traditional social organizations.^[35] 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.^[35]

Chi Omega, whose house is pictured here, was 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.^[34][35] 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.^[34]

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 university's Inter-Fraternity Council (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.^[34] 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.^[34]

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.^[7] The university's first Latino fraternity, a chapter of Lambda Upsilon Lambda, was founded later that same year.^[7] 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.^[7] With the creation of additional cultural fraternities and sororities, the MGC has grown to a total of eight organizations.^[42]

In 2002 the IFC decided to admit local fraternities, fraternities that are not affiliated with a national organization, for the first time (although local fraternities had existed at UVA prior to this time, they had not been permitted to join the IFC).^[43] Two years prior, 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 local organization Phi Delta Alpha, which was later renamed Phi Society.^[44] After debate within the IFC, Phi Society was admitted and recognized by the University as a local fraternity. Phi Society is viewed as the continuation of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity that existed prior to 2000 and maintains the same house.^[45] In 2001, Phi Delta Theta established another chapter at the university that adheres to its directives concerning alcohol consumption.^[46] The Greek system's expansion to new groups continued in 2015, as local fraternity Sigma Omicron Rho became the first gender-inclusive and LGBTQ fraternity to be recognized by the university.^[47]

Governance of Greek organizations

University recognition

University policy prevents national fraternities and sororities from directly establishing a chapter at the university; instead, an interested group of students must establish an interest group, petition for establishment, and obtain sponsorship from one of the Greek councils.^[48][49] Once sponsorship is obtained, a group enters the provisional phase of the process; at this point the interest group may contact a national fraternity or sorority to begin the process of establishing themselves as a colony or chapter. Upon successful completion of the provisional phase, the organization is granted full membership in its chosen Greek council.^[49]

In order to maintain a formal relationship with the university, each Greek organization must annually complete a Fraternal Organization Agreement (FOA). The university does not "recognize" Greek organizations; it permits fraternal organizations to exist without signing an FOA. However, signing an FOA grants additional benefits to organizations, including the ability to use certain university spaces and to join a Greek council.^[50]

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.^[51] 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 32 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.^[52]
• 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.^[34]
• 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 7 total all-male fraternities and all-female sororities.^[53] 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 composed of 9 total single-sex and coeducational organizations. Each of these organizations emphasizes a particular race or culture, particularly Asian or Latino culture; however, while these organizations may have a certain cultural emphasis, membership is generally open to students of any race.^[54]

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.^[55] 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".^[56][57] On January 30, 2015, UVA President Teresa Sullivan acknowledged that the Rolling Stone story was discredited.^[58] 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."^[59] On April 5, 2015, Columbia Journalism Review published a report calling the Rolling Stone article "a failure" and criticizing the magazine's actions. That same day, Rolling Stone officially retracted the article and has since issued multiple apologies for the story.^[60]

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 date that the fraternity's original charter was granted.

Name	House image	Date founded at UVA	Council	Notes	Refs
Alpha Delta Phi (ΑΔΦ)	Not residential	000000001855-01-01-00001855	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.	[2][61][62]
Alpha Epsilon Pi (ΑΕΠ)		000000001924-11-29-0000November 29, 1924	IFC	Alpha Epsilon Pi, or "A E Pi," is a primarily Jewish fraternity that was originally founded at UVA in 1924 as Mu Chapter. 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.	[2][63][64]
Alpha Phi Alpha (ΑΦΑ)	Not residential	000000001974-03-10-0000March 10, 1974	NPHC	The Iota Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha is one of five African-American fraternities at the university. The chapter was established at UVA in 1974.	[2][65]
Alpha Sigma Phi (ΑΣΦ)	Not residential	000000002013-09-20-0000September 20, 2013	IFC	The Zeta Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi is the newest fraternity at the university and was established in 2013.	[2][66]
Alpha Tau Omega (ΑΤΩ)		000000001868-11-25-0000November 25, 1868	IFC	The university's Virginia Delta chapter of Alpha Tau Omega, or "ATO," was founded in 1868.	[2][67]
Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ)		000000001855-04-24-0000April 24, 1855	IFC	The Omicron Chapter of Beta Theta Pi, or "Beta," is one of the oldest fraternities 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. The adjacent Beta Bridge takes its name from Beta's nearby house.	[2][68]
Chi Phi (ΧΦ)		000000001859-05-01-0000May 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.	[2][69]
Chi Psi (ΧΨ)	Not residential	000000001860-04-10-0000April 10, 1860	IFC	The Omicron Chapter of Chi Psi, also referred to as "The Lodge," was founded at the University in 1860. It went dormant during the Civil War and reformed in 1868, but went dormant again in 1872. It re-founded in 1949, and purchased Charlottesville's former country club on Rugby Rd Extended to use as its Lodge for more than 50 years. After becoming inactive in 2008, it was re-founded in 2015.	[70][71]
Delphic of Gamma Sigma Tau (ΓΣΤ)	Not residential	000000002009-03-29-0000March 29, 2009	MGC	The university's Kappa Chapter is the only extant undergraduate chapter of Delphic and the first all-male multicultural fraternity on grounds. It was founded in 2009 from a local fraternity interest group known as the Brotherhood of All Men.	[42][72]
Delta Kappa Epsilon (ΔΚΕ)		000000001852-11-26-0000November 26, 1852	IFC	The Eta Chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon, better known as "DKE" or "Deke," was the first fraternity established at the University of Virginia. It obtained its house in 1914 and has remained there since.	[2][73][74]
Delta Sigma Phi (ΔΣΦ)		000000001921-05-14-0000May 14, 1921	IFC	The Alpha Mu Chapter of Delta Sigma Phi, also known as "Delta Sig," was established at UVA in 1921.	[2][75]
Delta Upsilon (ΔΥ)		000000001922-04-22-0000April 22, 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.	[2][76]
Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ)		000000001873-11-19-0000November 19, 1873	IFC	Kappa Alpha Order, better known as "KA," was chartered as the Lambda Chapter 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.	[2][77]
Kappa Alpha Psi (ΚΑΨ)	Not residential	000000001974-12-07-0000December 7, 1974	NPHC	Kappa Alpha Psi is one of five black fraternities on grounds, founded in 1974. It was chartered as the Eta Sigma Chapter 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.	[2][78]
Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ)		000000001869-12-10-0000December 10, 1869	IFC	Kappa Sigma was nationally 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. It is known as the Zeta Chapter. The university has granted Room 46 East Lawn to Kappa Sigma as a reserved room, and the fraternity selects one member each year to live in the residence.	[2][4][79]
Lambda Phi Epsilon (ΛΦΕ)		000000002002-03-16-0000March 16, 2002	MGC	Lambda Phi Epsilon, or "Lambda," established its Alpha Tau 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.	[2][80][81]
Lambda Upsilon Lambda (ΛΥΛ)	Not residential	000000001999-12-10-0000December 10, 1999	MGC	Lambda Upsilon Lambda, a Latino fraternity, established its Alpha Epsilon Chapter on grounds in 1999.	[2]
Omega Psi Phi (ΩΨΦ)	Not residential	000000001973-09-07-0000September 7, 1973	NPHC	The UVA chapter, Lambda Zeta, of Omega Psi Phi was established in 1973.	[2]
Phi Beta Sigma (ΦΒΣ)	Not residential	000000001974-04-17-0000April 17, 1974	NPHC	The university's chapter, Zeta Eta, of Phi Beta Sigma was established in 1974. The chapter became inactive in 1993, but returned in 2000.	[2][82]
Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)		000000001873-03-15-0000March 15, 1873	IFC	Phi Delta Theta was established at the university in 1873. The chapter name is Virginia Beta.	[2][45]
Phi Gamma Delta (ΦΓΔ)		000000001858-12-31-0000December 31, 1858	IFC	Phi Gamma Delta, better known as "Fiji," established its Omicron Chapter at the university in 1858. It went dormant in 1998, and was rechartered in 2004.[83]	[2]
Phi Kappa Psi (ΦΚΨ)		000000001853-12-08-0000December 8, 1853	IFC	The university's chapter, Virginia Alpha, 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. Its house is modeled after Carr's Hill, the nearby historic house of the university's president. 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.	[2][28][60][84]
Phi Sigma Kappa (ΦΣΚ)		000000001907-01-01-00001907	IFC	The university's Psi Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa, better known as "Phi Sig," was founded in 1907.	[2]
Phi Society (Φ)		000000002000-01-01-00002000	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. This gives it an establishment date of 2000, as a new 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.	[2][44][45][85]
Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ)		000000001868-03-01-0000March 1, 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. The chapter is Virginia Alpha. The university has granted Room 47 West Range to Pi Kappa Alpha as a reserved room, and the fraternity selects one member each year to live in the residence.	[4][86][87]
Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)		000000001961-03-06-0000March 6, 1961	IFC	The UVA chapter, Beta Upsilon, of Pi Kappa Phi was founded in 1961.	[2]
Pi Lambda Phi (ΠΛΦ)		000000001932-11-12-0000November 12, 1932	IFC	Pi Lambda Phi, better known as "Pi Lam," founded a chapter, Omega Alpha, at UVA in 1932. During World War II the chapter membership began to decline, and the chapter was rechartered in 1969.	[2][88][89]
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ)		000000001857-12-19-0000December 19, 1857	IFC	The university's chapter, Virginia Omicron, 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.	[2][90]
Sigma Alpha Mu (ΣΑΜ)		000000001968-01-01-00001968	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.	[2][91]
Sigma Chi (ΣΧ)		000000001860-12-10-0000December 10, 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][2][10][92]
Sigma Omicron Rho (ΣΟΡ)	Not Residential	999999999999-99-99-0000August 2009	MGC	The Alpha Chapter of Sigma Omicron Rho is currently the only LGBTQ fraternity at UVA and was the first co-educational fraternity to be recognized by the university. Founded in 2009 as a local fraternity, Sigma Omicron Rho existed independently of the Greek councils for several years before gaining recognition with the MGC. It has not yet founded chapters at other universities.	[47][93]
Sigma Phi Society (ΣΦ)		000000001954-02-27-0000February 27, 1954	IFC	The university's chapter of Sigma Phi Society, also known as "SERP," was formed from a local fraternity called the Serpentine Club in 1953. The chapter, Alpha of Virginia, 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.	[2][94]
Sigma Pi (ΣΠ)		000000001959-04-04-0000April 4, 1959	IFC	The Beta Pi Chapter of Sigma Pi was founded at UVA in 1959.	[2]
St. Anthony Hall (ΔΨ)		000000001860-04-20-0000April 20, 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.	[2][95]
St. Elmo Hall (ΔΦ)		000000001908-01-01-0000January 1908	IFC	St. Elmo Hall, better known as "Elmo," established its Rho 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.	[2][96]
Tau Kappa Epsilon (ΤΚΕ)	Not residential	000000001950-12-03-0000December 3, 1950	IFC	Tau Kappa Epsilon, better known as "Teke" or "TKE," originally founded its Gamma Omicron Chapter at UVA in 1950. After 'Operation Equinox,' where a few fraternities including TKE were targeted for drug use and distribution, the chapter folded after its house at 1508 Grady Ave was seized by the federal government.[97] It was reestablished in 2012.	[2][98]
Theta Chi (ΘΧ)		000000001914-01-26-0000January 26, 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.	[2][99]
Theta Delta Chi (ΘΔΧ)		000000001857-01-01-00001857	IFC	Theta Delta Chi, also known as "Theta Delt" and "TDX," established a chapter, Nu Charge, at UVA in 1857.	[2]
Trigon Engineering Society (ΓΔΕ)		000000001924-11-03-0000November 3, 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. The university has granted Room 17 West Lawn to Trigon as a reserved room, and the society picks one member each year to live in the residence.	[4][32][33]
Zeta Beta Tau (ΖΒΤ)		000000001915-01-01-00001915	IFC	The university's chapter of Zeta Beta Tau, or "ZBT," was founded at UVA in 1915.	[2]
Zeta Psi (ΖΨ)		000000001868-07-28-0000July 28, 1868	IFC	Zeta Psi, or "Zete," founded its Beta Chapter at UVA in 1868. The architectural design of its house draws heavily from Jefferson's design of Monticello.	[2][28][100]

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 (ΑΧΩ)		000000001980-04-19-0000April 19, 1980	ISC	Alpha Chi Omega, better known as "AXO," founded the Zeta Lambda Chapter at UVA in 1980.	[2]
Alpha Delta Pi (ΑΔΠ)		000000001977-04-16-0000April 16, 1977	ISC	Alpha Delta Pi, or "ADPi," established its UVA chapter, Zeta Xi, in 1977.	[2]
alpha Kappa Delta Phi (αΚΔΦ)	Not residential	000000001999-11-13-0000November 13, 1999	MGC	alpha Kappa Delta Phi is an Asian-American interest sorority; it established its UVA chapter, Sigma, 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.	[2][7][101]
Alpha Phi (ΑΦ)		000000001978-12-02-0000December 2, 1978	ISC	The university's chapter of Alpha Phi, Zeta Iota, was founded in 1978.	[2]
Chi Omega (ΧΩ)		000000001927-06-04-0000June 4, 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. Its chapter designation is Lambda Gamma.	[2][34]
Delta Delta Delta (ΔΔΔ)		000000001975-09-27-0000September 27, 1975	ISC	Delta Delta Delta, better known as "Tri-Delt," established a chapter, Beta Sigma, at UVA in 1975.	[2]
Delta Gamma (ΔΓ)		000000001978-11-18-0000November 18, 1978	ISC	The university's chapter of Delta Gamma, better known as "DG," was founded in 1978 as the Epsilon Gamma Chapter. Since 1980, the sorority has had a house on Madison Lane.	[2][102]
Delta Sigma Theta (ΔΣΘ)	Not residential	000000001973-11-29-0000November 29, 1973	NPHC	The UVA chapter, Kappa Rho, of Delta Sigma Theta was founded in 1973 and was the first African-American sorority at the university.	[2][7][103]
Delta Zeta (ΔΖ)		000000001977-11-12-0000November 12, 1977	ISC	The Lambda Delta Chapter of Delta Zeta, better known as "DZ," was founded at UVA in 1977.	[2]
Gamma Phi Beta (ΓΦΒ)		000000001994-04-09-0000April 9, 1994	ISC	Gamma Phi Beta established its Zeta Beta Chapter at UVA in 1994.	[2]
Kappa Alpha Theta (ΚΑΘ)		000000001976-04-03-0000April 3, 1976	ISC	The Delta Chi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, better known as "Theta," was founded at UVA in 1976.	[2]
Kappa Delta (ΚΔ)		000000001932-06-05-0000June 5, 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.	[2][34]
Kappa Kappa Gamma (ΚΚΓ)		000000001976-10-23-0000October 23, 1976	ISC	The university's Epsilon Sigma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma, better known as "Kappa," was established in 1976.	[2]
Lambda Theta Alpha (ΛΘΑ)	Not residential	000000002001-04-29-0000April 29, 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. Lambda Theta Alpha is a Latina sorority.	[2][104]
Pi Beta Phi (ΠΒΦ)		000000001975-04-30-0000April 30, 1975	ISC	Pi Beta Phi, better known as "Pi Phi," established the university's chapter, Virginia Epsilon, 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.	[2][105]
Sigma Delta Tau (ΣΔΤ)	Resides on the fourth floor of GrandMarc Apartment Complex	000000002011-04-09-0000April 9, 2011	ISC	Sigma Delta Tau, also known as "Sig Delt" and "SDT," established the chapter Beta Rho at UVA in 2011.	[2]
Sigma Gamma Rho (ΣΓΡ)	Not residential	000000001980-12-05-0000December 5, 1980	NPHC	Sigma Gamma Rho is one of four black sororities at UVA and was established in 1980 as the Theta Lambda Chapter.	[2]
Sigma Kappa (ΣΚ)		000000001987-04-16-0000April 16, 1987	ISC	Sigma Kappa, also known as "SK," established its Theta Zeta Chapter at UVA in 1987.	[2]
Sigma Lambda Upsilon (ΣΛΥ)	Not residential	000000002013-03-23-0000March 23, 2013	MGC	UVA's chapter of Sigma Lambda Upsilon, a Latina sorority, was established in 2013. Its chapter designation is Alpha Rho.	[2]
Sigma Psi Zeta (ΣΨΖ)	Not residential	000000002001-12-01-0000December 1, 2001	MGC	Sigma Psi Zeta, an Asian-interest sorority, established its Lambda Chapter at UVA in 2001. The chapter evolved from an Asian interest group called Sisterhood of Young Asians.	[2][106]
Sigma Sigma Sigma (ΣΣΣ)		000000001981-04-23-0000April 23, 1981	ISC	The university's chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma, better known as "Tri-Sig," was established in 1981. Its chapter name is Delta Chi.	[2]
Theta Nu Xi (ΘΝΞ)	Not residential	000000002002-12-07-0000December 7, 2002	MGC	Theta Nu Xi, a multicultural sorority, established its Pi Chapter at UVA in 2002.	[2]
Zeta Phi Beta (ΖΦΒ)	Not residential	000000001978-04-02-0000April 2, 1978	NPHC	Zeta Phi Beta is one of four black sororities on grounds, and the UVA chapter, Tau Theta, was established in 1978.	[2]
Zeta Tau Alpha (ΖΤΑ)		000000001952-01-05-0000January 5, 1952	ISC	The Gamma Nu Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha, better known as "Zeta," was established at UVA in 1952.	[2]

Service fraternities, professional fraternities and honor societies

The University of Virginia also has chapters of numerous Greek organizations whose primary focus is not social, although some offer social events in addition to service or academic events. 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.^[107]

Service fraternities

Professional fraternities

Name	House image	Date founded at UVA	Council	Notes	Refs
Alpha Chi Sigma (ΑΧΣ)		000000001922-05-27-0000May 27, 1922	Independent	Alpha Chi Sigma is a professional chemistry fraternity. The UVA chapter is Alpha Kappa.	[109]
Alpha Kappa Psi (ΑΚΨ)	Not residential	000000001921-06-03-0000June 3, 1921	Independent	AKPsi is a coed professional business fraternity whose chapter was founded at UVA in the early twentieth century. The UVA chapter is designated Alpha Gamma.	[110]
Alpha Omega Epsilon (ΑΩΕ)	Not residential	000000002005-04-23-0000April 23, 2005	Independent	Alpha Omega Epsilon, or AOE, is a professional engineering sorority that established its Pi Chapter at UVA in 2005. It is the only engineering sorority at the university.	[111]
Theta Tau (ΘΤ)	Not residential	000000001923-05-26-0000May 26, 1923	Independent	Theta Tau is a coed professional engineering fraternity that established its Pi Chapter at UVA in 1923. 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.	[33][112]

Honor societies

Defunct and inactive organizations

A number of organizations have historically existed at the university, but are not currently active. Some of these chapters still have extant national organizations, but the University of Virginia chapter is inactive; others were local fraternities that are no longer in existence; still others are no longer active because their entire national organization became extinct. They are listed below:

Fraternities

Sororities

• Alpha Kappa Alpha (ΑΚΑ)^[2]
• Omega Phi Beta (ΩΦΒ)^[163]

See also

• Rugby Road
• Secret societies at the University of Virginia
• History of the University of Virginia
• Fraternities and sororities in North America
• List of social fraternities and sororities
• Professional fraternities and sororities
• Service fraternities and sororities

References

External links

• University of Virginia website
• University of Virginia IFC website
• University of Virginia ISC website
• University of Virginia NPHC website
• University of Virginia MGC website
• University of Virginia Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life
• A history of Greek housing and architecture, by the UVA School of Architecture