List of RPI fraternities and sororities

The following is a list of fraternities and sororities at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. As of 2020, there are 24 active fraternities, 6 active sororities, 1 co-ed service fraternity, 1 one literary society.

The RPI Union

Active Chapters

Active Fraternities

The governing body of all fraternities is the Inter-Fraternity Council.[1]

  • Acacia, founded on April 10, 1949
  • Alpha Chi Rho (ΑΧΡ; Crows), Delta Phi chapter, founded on October 23, 1948
  • Alpha Phi Omega (ΑΦΩ), Epsilon Zeta chapter (co-ed, not in IFC), founded on May 11, 1947[2]
Serves as RPI's premier co-ed service fraternity. APO runs services out of their office on the third floor of the Student Union including Lost & Found, back exams, 3D printing & Information Cards
Notable alumni include Al Beard ('81), Michael John Matla ('81), and Paul Stockert ('83).
The Theta chapter of Chi Phi at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  • Chi Phi (ΧΦ), Theta chapter, founded in 1878
The Theta chapter of Chi Phi is one of the oldest fraternities on campus and owns two houses next door to each other at 1981 and 1985 15th St., across from the Quad and Student Union. The Chi Phi house at 1981 15th street was constructed in 1912 and is the oldest continually occupied fraternity house on RPI's campus. Notable alumni from Chi Phi at RPI include George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., inventor of the ferris wheel, and Frank Osborn founder of Osborn Engineering and designer of the original Yankee Stadium, Tiger Stadium, and Fenway Park. Chi Phi organizes the annual St. Baldrick's Foundation fundraiser for pediatric cancer research on RPI's campus that continually raises over $20,000 every year.
DKE used to own the current admissions building located next to Theta Xi and across from both RSE and the Student Union.
Delta Kappa Epsilon Coat of Arms
  • Delta Phi (ΔΦ), Lambda chapter, founded in 1864
Lambda chapter of Delta Phi is rich in Rensselaer history. Its members include three Rensselaer presidents (including George Low, known for putting the first man on the moon), and there are about 16 structures on campus named after Delta Phi alumni. Such buildings include the George M. Low Building, Livingston Houston Fieldhouse, Cornelius Barton Hall, Nason Hall, Mason Lab (no longer in existence), Hearne Dormitory, Church I - VI and Caldwell Lab.
Upsilon chapter of Delta Tau Delta is located at 133 Sunset Terrace, neighboring Acacia and Phi Kappa Theta. The Delts' house is one of the largest on campus.
Located at 200 Sunset Terrace. Formerly Delta Sigma Lambda, a local fraternity that was rechartered as Lambda Chi Alpha.[4]
  • Phi Iota Alpha (ΦΙΑ; Phiotas), Alpha chapter, founded on December 26, 1931
The Union Hispano-Americana was founded at RPI. It is the Oldest Hispanic American student organization in the United States. The Latin American fraternity, Pi Delta Phi Fraternity, was founded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It became Phi Lambda Alpha after merging with Union Hispano Americana at RPI in 1919. Phi Lambda Alpha became Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity in 1931. [5] Delegates from Phi Lambda Alpha Fraternity (at RPI/Berkeley/MIT) and Sigma Iota Fraternity (Louisiana State) assembled at Troy, NY with the objective of forming a strong and extensive Fraternity to address the needs of Latin Americans in universities in the US. It was then that Phi Iota Alpha was created. Today, the Fraternity has over 40 chapters.
Current house was designed by brother Robert Trudeau in 1971. It will always be home of Apres Ski.
  • Phi Mu Delta (ΦΜΔ; Phi Mud), Nu Theta chapter, founded in 1929
Pi Delta Psi is currently the only Asian interest Greek organization on campus.
  • Psi Upsilon (ΨΥ; Psi U), Epsilon Iota chapter, founded on April 16, 1982
Originally a chapter of the TEP (Tau Epsilon Phi) fraternity, the chapter officially seceded from TEP in January 1978 to become a co-ed local fraternity. Epsilon Iota officially became the 37th chapter of the Psi Upsilon international fraternity on April 16, 1982, and remains co-ed with an approximately equal number of male and female brothers. The chapter currently resides at 2140 Burdett Avenue in Troy. The Epsilon Iota chapter holds the record for longest number of days (178) in "hockey line" at RPI, breaking the previous record of 33 days.
Located at 12 Myrtle Ave.
Located at 2005 15th Street
  • Tau Epsilon Phi (ΤΕΦ; TEP), Epsilon Iota chapter, founded on December 8, 1957
Located at 1991 15th Street.
  • Theta Chi (ΘΧ), Delta chapter, founded in 1908 (independent fraternity)
Located at 2100 Burdett Ave. Theta Chi is currently active and is the only fraternity that is not affiliated with Rensselaer, operating independently of the Institute.
  • Theta Xi (ΘΞ; Zoo), Alpha chapter, founded on April 29, 1864
The Alpha chapter of Theta Xi is the oldest active fraternity at RPI. Distinguishable alumni include former RPI President Palmer C. Ricketts (A84), William H. Wiley (A11), Mordecai T. Endicott (A21), James Hall (A38), Emil H. Praeger (A272), and Allen B. Dumont (A349) all of which have been inducted into the RPI Hall of Fame. Numerous campus buildings and rooms are named after Alpha chapter alumni: the Darrin Communications Center, named after David M. Darrin (A566); Ricketts Building, named after Palmer C. Ricketts (A84); Waite Dormitory, named after Christopher Champlain Waite (A3) who is one of the fraternities founding members; Hall Hall named after James Hall (A83); DuMont room in the Student Union named after Allen B. DuMont (A349); and many more. The origin of the nickname "The Zoo" or just "Zoo" is rumored to be from the early 1960s when Theta Xi brothers engaged in an altercation with another fraternity during an RPI hockey game. It is believed that RPI's newspaper, The Poly, stated in an article about the altercation that the brothers of Theta Xi acted like "a zoo".
In December 2013, the chapter house was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Theta Xi Fraternity Chapter House
  • Zeta Psi (ΖΨ; Zetes), Pi chapter, founded on January 13, 1865
The Pi chapter went inactive in 1894 and was reactivated in 1951. It remained active until the alumni/elders shut down the chapter house in 1978 (for disciplinary reasons) and reactivated the chapter in 1979 with all new members. The Pi chapter has remained in continuous operation since the second reactivation. It is located at 25 Belle Avenue.[6]

Active Sororities

The governing body of all sororities is the Panhellenic Council.[7]

Alpha Gamma Delta was founded on May 30, 1904 at Syracuse University. The Zeta Eta chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta is one of over 110 chapters nationwide.
Alpha Phi was founded at Syracuse University in 1872 by ten women. The Theta Tau chapter of Alpha Phi at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute originated as Phi Alpha Sigma, a local sorority located on RPI campus. The Theta Tau chapter of Alpha Phi is one of over 150 chapters in both the United States and Canada. Alpha Phi is one of four international sororities at RPI.
ΑΩΕ is a social and professional sorority for women in engineering and technical sciences. It is a member of the Professional Fraternity Association at the international level; however, the Tau chapter is also a member of the local Panhellenic Council.
Pi Beta Phi was founded by 12 women at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois on April 28, 1867. Pi Phi is the first women's fraternity to be modeled on the men's groups and the first to start a chapter at another college. The New York Epsilon chapter of Pi Beta Phi was installed on November 17, 1984. The chapter began as Kappa Phi, a local sorority founded on April 27, 1982, as the third sorority on campus. Their chapter house is at 8 Sherry Road.
Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (OPBSI) is the nation's premiere Greek-lettered organization working towards the elimination of violence against women and empowerment of women. As a national sorority, OPBSI is committed to the development of collegiate and professional women through sisterhood, diversity, leadership, service and academic excellence.
Although currently in interest group stages, Kappa Phi Lambda is an Asian-interest sorority that was founded in 1995 at Binghamton University.

Active Societies
ΑΔΦ is a literature and arts organization founded by Samuel Eels in 1832 at Hamilton College.[8] Following disputes on female membership, the organization split into a male-only fraternity and a gender-inclusive society in 1992. The Rensselaer Chapter of the Society was founded in 2015 and runs services out of the "Phi Space" in the '87 gym.

Inactive Chapters

RPI has a rich history surrounding Greek Life. As such, a number of fraternities have come and gone either due to low membership or a merger with another entity.[9] An issue of contention for many RPI students is the recent crackdown of Greek Life activity on campus. With strict adherence to new school policy, a number of fraternities have fallen victim to the tightening regulatory operations, and were subsequently put on suspension.

Suspended Fraternities
  • Sigma Chi (ΣΧ),[10] Delta Psi chapter, founded on December 2, 1950 (Suspended October 2019 to December 2021)
The Delta Psi chapter of The Sigma Chi Fraternity was chartered on December 2, 1950. Before that, Sigma Chi existed on the RPI campus as a local fraternity known as Phi Epsilon Phi. Sigma Chi is currently located at 58 Pinewoods Avenue.
  • Phi Kappa Tau (ΦΚΤ), Rho chapter (Suspended from November 2016 to August 2021)
Serving five years of campus suspension. Alpha Gamma Delta currently resides in their chapter house
  • Phi Gamma Delta (---; FIJI), Tau Nu chapter, founded in 1984. (Suspended from October 2019 to August 2020)
Located at 82 3rd Street in Downtown Troy. Their house is the iconic 1st Baptist Church in Troy. They are the second fraternity to ever live in a church.
  • Phi Sigma Kappa (ΦΣΚ; Phi Sig or Church), Gamma Tetarton chapter, founded October 14, 1950 (Suspended, pending investigation)
Located at 316 Congress Street, at the corner of Congress Street and 13th Street, the Gamma Tetarton chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa is also the very first fraternity in the country to ever purchase and live in a church.[11] Their house is one of the largest fraternity houses in the country, and is also the physically largest fraternity house on campus. The house used to be the former iconic St. Francis DeSales Church, which closed on February 1, 2009. The Gamma Tetarton chapter completed the purchase of the St. Francis DeSales Church on February 4, 2011. Shortly after their move-in, Phi Sig began the Mt. Ida Community Microgrant program. As neighbors dedicated to the growth, improvement and future of the Mt. Ida community, Phi Sig sponsors the grant program to improve the “quality of life” in the Mt. Ida neighborhood. Home-owners, landlords, business owners, and non-profits are eligible to apply for a grant up to the amount of $1,000 for the purposes of home improvement, historic restoration, neighborhood beautification projects, and more.
  • Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ; Castle), Alpha Tau chapter, founded in 1906. (Suspended October 2018 to December 2025)
Originally the local Fraternity, "The Rensselaer Technical Society", the chapter was incorporated in 1909, and rechartered in 1931 to form the Alpha Tau chapter of the national fraternity Pi Kappa Phi. Pi Kappa Phi "Castle" is located in its long time home in the Central Troy Historic District, The Pane mansion. The Paine Mansion was constructed in 1894 and is located at 49 2nd street.[12]
The Rensselaer Society of Engineers was founded as the Pi Eta scientific society in 1866, and became the Rensselaer Society of Engineers in 1883.
  • Tau Kappa Epsilon (ΤΚΕ), Gamma Epsilon chapter, founded on October 14, 1949. (Suspended from January 2018 to August 2021)

Inactive Fraternities
Closed due to low membership
Founded on November 14, 1998, Closed due to low membership
Closed due to low membership
The Beta Delta chapter of Phi Epsilon Pi merged into Zeta Beta Tau in 1970, along with Phi Sigma Delta. Founding date assumed to be 1961 because of the merger from Kappa Nu into Phi Epsilon Pi.
Formed in 1918, the Kappa chapter of Kappa Nu merged into Phi Epsilon Pi in 1961.
Formed in 1913, the Gamma chapter of Phi Sigma Delta merged into Zeta Beta Tau in 1970.
Local fraternity which disbanded soon after 8 members tendered their resignations in October 1863. Those 8 members became the founding members of Theta Xi in 1864 See: Sigma Delta forms Theta Xi. Not to be confused with Sigma Delta, the local professional sorority.
The Delta Charge of Theta Delta Chi was RPI's first fraternity. Theta Delta Chi served as the sole fraternity on campus until the founding of Sigma Delta in 1859. The Charge had a prominent existence at Rensselaer throughout much of the 19th century until its charter was surrendered in 1896 because of low membership.

Inactive Sororities
Phi Sigma Sigma was the first national nonsectarian sorority, founded by 10 women at Hunter College, NY in 1913. Their goal was to have membership open to all women of character regardless of background; a sorority committed to sisterhood, excellence in scholarship, and selfless giving. It is the only sorority that was open to diverse membership from inception and the only one with a ritual that was not based in any one religion. The Gamma Theta chapter was founded at RPI in 1976 as the first national sorority at the mostly male institution. The chapter became inactive in due to low membership.[13]
Sigma Delta is a professional sorority which was incorporated on March 29, 1996 and founded on April 12, 1996. While based on Latin American values, over the years they have grown to a multicultural organization with members from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. As of April 2020, the sorority has no undergraduate members.
Sigma Iota Alpha is a Latina-oriented Greek letter intercollegiate and independent sorority, founded on September 29, 1990. The Kappa chapter was formed shortly after its founding, but is no longer active on RPI's campus

References
  1. "Inter-fraternity Council". Archived from the original Check |url= value (help) on 31 December 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  2. History
  3. "Travel – abroad".
  4. "150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer"..
  5. "150+ Years of Greek Life at Rensselaer"..
  6. "The Pi Chapter of Zeta Psi".
  7. "Panhellenic Council" Check |url= value (help). Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  9. (PDF) http://www.alumni.rpi.edu/services/affinity/AIGC/Resources/Posting_April_2017/RPI_Greek_History_Short_GLS2017.pdf. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. http://sigmachi-rpi.org
  11. "The College Life Series From Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: A Unique Place To Call Home | News & Events". news.rpi.edu. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  12. Ricketts, Palmer Chamberlain (1914). History of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1824-1914. J. Wiley and sons. p. 163. rensselaer technical society.
  13. "ΦΣΣ History - Phi Sigma Sigma". www.phisigmasigma.org. June 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
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