Sigma Phi Sigma

Sigma Phi Sigma (ΣΦΣ) was a national collegiate fraternity founded in 1908 at the University of Pennsylvania. It ceased operations during WWII and was unable to restart as a national entity, with several chapters joining other fraternities, predominantly Phi Sigma Kappa.

Sigma Phi Sigma
ΣΦΣ
FoundedApril 13, 1908 (1908-04-13)
University of Pennsylvania
TypeSocial
AffiliationIndependent ?
ScopeNational
Member badge
Colors  Yellow and   White
FlowerLilies of the Valley and Jonquil
PublicationThe Sigma Phi Sigma Monad
Chapters18 installed; 0 survived
MergedPhi Sigma Kappa and scattered, (1947

History

Sigma Phi Sigma was founded as a social, academic fraternity at the University of Pennsylvania on 13 April 1908.[1] The Founders were:

  • Brice Hayden Long
  • Percy Hollinshed Wood
  • Guy Park Needham

From the start, leaders cited an early aspiration of national expansion. Efforts were concentrated on formation of chapters at larger institutions, mostly state universities or large private schools. Some of these chapters entered into successful building projects. By the early 1930s it had achieved a chapter roll of eighteen, what appears to be its high water mark, but there were rumblings that this was insufficient to support its national functions during the Great Depression and WWII. Just four of its chapters re-opened after the war, and due to the fraternity's inability to re-ignite operations elsewhere, the majority of these, and scattered alumni from other chapters, sought new national allegiances.[2]

Demise
The Sigma Phi Sigma house at Oregon State, 1923

The Fraternity's disintegration began as early as 1941, when the University of Maryland chapter withdrew to become a chapter of Sigma Chi. Cornell's chapter closed that same year, with most of its members joining Tau Kappa Epsilon.[2]

The fraternity formally voted for dissolution at its 21st and last grand assembly in January 1947 at a convention in Berkeley, California.[2]

Immediately after the vote to dissolve in 1947, the University of California chapter merged into the re-established Phi Sigma Kappa chapter on that campus, with the provision that any other member of Sigma Phi Sigma from other chapters might also join Phi Sigma Kappa.[3][4] Following their lead, most of the brothers from the former University of Nevada and University of Wisconsin chapters similarly sought safe harbor in Phi Sigma Kappa, and participated in restoring those chapters as they rebuilt operations. Phi Sigma Kappa's Wisconsin chapter had been dormant since 1931, thus the infusion of new members coming from Sigma Phi Sigma was able to re-start that chapter.

The University of Oregon chapter became a unit of Phi Kappa Psi, and the University of Illinois chapter merged operations with Tau Kappa Epsilon there. One final chapter, at Penn State University, lingered as an independent local for another decade, retaining the name Sigma Phi Sigma. In 1954 it was installed as a charge (~chapter) of Theta Delta Chi.[2]

The 1991 edition of Baird's Manual noted the Society had 4,500 initiates at dissolution.[2]

Chapters

The Fraternity established chapters at eighteen schools. Chapters that accepted some form of merger by the 1947 dissolution are noted in bold, dormant chapters or those with unknown resolution are noted in italics.

State University Chapter Status Installed Date and Range Reference
Pennsylvania University of Pennsylvania Alpha Merged (ΣΦΕ) April 13, 1908–1938 [5][6]
Pennsylvania Penn State University Beta Merged (ΘΔΧ) May 24, 1919–May 22, 1954 [7][6][8][9][10][11]
New York Cornell University Gamma Merged (ΤΚΕ) 1910–1941 [12][13]
Maryland University of Maryland Delta Merged (ΣΧ) March 4, 1916–1941 [14][13]
California University of California Epsilon Merged (ΦΣΚ) 1916–1947 [15][13]
Illinois University of Illinois Zeta Merged (ΤΚΕ) 1919–1947 [16][13]
Maine University of Maine Eta Alumni Merged (ΤΚΕ) 1921–1934 [17][1][13]
Nevada University of Nevada Theta Merged (ΦΣΚ) 1922–1942 [18][13]
Oregon Oregon State University Iota Merged (ΦΚΥ) 1923–1948 [19][13]
Alabama Alabama Polytechnic (Auburn) Kappa Alumni Merged (ΤΚΕ) 1924–1933 [20][21][13]
Missouri University of Missouri Lambda Alumni Merged (ΤΚΕ) 1924–1932 [22][23][13]
Wisconsin University of Wisconsin Mu Merged (ΦΣΚ) 1924–1935 [24][13]
Ohio Ohio State University Nu Merged (ΦΣΚ) 1924–1932 [25][26][13]
North Carolina University of North Carolina Xi Alumni Merged (ΦΣΚ) 1925–1933 [27][28][13]
Nebraska University of Nebraska Omicron Alumni Merged (ΦΣΚ) 1928–1933 [29][30][13]
Washington University of Washington Pi Alumni Merged (ΦΣΚ) 1928–1936 [31][32][13]
Washington Washington State University Rho Alumni Merged (ΦΣΚ) 1928–1936 [33][34][13]
Rhode Island Brown University Sigma Disaffiliated March 1929–May 1934 [35][13]

Publications and Traditions

The Fraternity published a magazine, called the Sigma Phi Sigma Monad.

Its badge was the three Greek letters of its name, with the Phi superimposed on the two Sigmas. The Phi was set with fifteen pearls, or in some cases, with diamonds.

The fraternity's colors were yellow and white. Its flowers were Lilies of the Valley and the Jonquil.[36]

The fraternity's song was Come Ye Sons Who Wear the Gold and White.[30]

Government was managed by convention, held biannually.[2]

References
  1. Date noted in the Feb 14, 1935 edition of The Maine Campus, p.4, accessed 28 Aug, 2020.
  2. Anson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. VIII-23. ISBN 978-0963715906.
  3. "California Sigma Phi Sigma joins Phi Sigma Kappa", The Signet, A Magazine for Members of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity: Vol XXXIX, No. 4, pg 309, November 1947
  4. According to the article, the fine relationship PSK enjoyed with SPS at its dissolution was spurred by "notably excellent relations with PSK's Bro. Dean Palm and Bro. Bill Wood."
  5. This chapter became the Massachusetts Beta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon in 1938.
  6. According to the 1930 Record yearbook, p.327 (of the digital file) the chapter was located at 3914 Spruce St., in Philadelphia, PA. Accessed 28 Aug 2020.
  7. The Beta chapter was created from Iota Chi Delta (local), a group that dated from 1913.
  8. The Baird's archive notes Beta chapter's re-emergence after WWII. The chapter explains more fully in their online history, what transpired. They had begun as a local, with an architectural focus, called Iota Chi Delta on March 13, 1915, soon expanding to include landscape architecture and civil engineering students. They sought a national affiliation, sending letters to several fraternities. This resulted in installation as the Beta chapter of Sigma Phi Sigma on May 24, 1919, (apparently out of alphabetical sequence with the other chapters, but this is quoted directly). After WWII the chapter reactivated with 8 returning brothers moving back into their solid building, which became the last chapter standing of their national, and a defacto local. In 1952 the group sought out a new national affiliation, finding Theta Delta Chi. They were installed as the Sigma Triton charge of that fraternity on 22 May 1954.
  9. The Penn State H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens and Arboretum was established to honor an early member of the chapter in a gift from his son. Accessed 28 Aug 2020. See The Arboretum at Penn State.
  10. National fraternity Theta Delta Chi in a website post clarifies that this chapter, operating as a local, became their Sigma Triton charge in 1954. Article accessed 28 Aug 2020.
  11. The 1920 Penn State La Vie yearbook notes that Iota Chi Delta began in April 1913, with no mention of Sigma Phi Sigma, yet. Accessed 31 Aug 2020.
  12. Gamma chapter originated as the Cayuga Club (local), a group that dated from 1905. This chapter resigned from ΣΦΣ in 1941 to merge into the existing Scorpion chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon at Cornell.
  13. William Raimond Baird; Carroll Lurding (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive)". Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved 19 May 2021. The main archive URL is The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage.
  14. Delta chapter originated as Iota Sigma (local) in 1914, which affiliated into ΣΦΣ in 1916. The group left ΣΦΣ to become the Gamma Chi chapter of Sigma Chi in 1941.
  15. Epsilon chapter originated as the Casimir Club (local) in 1910, which affiliated into ΣΦΣ in 1916. After WWII, neighboring fraternity Phi Sigma Kappa's Omega chapter was reorganized and in 1947 combined with the Berkeley chapter of Sigma Phi Sigma. The Cal chapter's address from October 19, 1957 (at the dedication of their building) was: 2312 Warring Street, Berkeley, CA. The group would later move to 2320 Warring St., Berkeley, CA, destroyed by fire in 1990.
  16. Zeta chapter originated as the Acanthus Club (local) in 1911, which affiliated into ΣΦΣ in 1919. This chapter merged with the Tau Kappa Epsilon's Gamma chapter at Illinois in 1947.
  17. Eta chapter originated as Lambda Delta (local) in 1919, which affiliated into ΣΦΣ in 1921. This chapter closed in 1934, but its alumni were accepted into Tau Kappa Epsilon's Beta Upsilon chapter at Maine in 1947.
  18. Theta chapter originated as the Link & Shield Club (local) in 1921, which affiliated into ΣΦΣ in 1922. Alumni from this chapter negotiated a merger with alumni from Phi Sigma Kappa to re-establish ΦΣΚ's Eta Deuteron chapter on the Nevada, Reno campus in 1942.
  19. This chapter originated as the Orange Club, begun in 1913, was renamed(?) Alpha Sigma Delta (local) in 1919, which affiliated into ΣΦΣ in 1923. Baird's Archive notes that, following WWII, the Iota chapter of ΣΦΣ became the Oregon Beta chapter of Phi Kappa Psi in 1947. There is a typo in the printed edition of Baird's (20th ed.), which notes this chapter as situated at "Oregon"; the online archive corrects this to be Oregon State. That school's Beaver yearbook of 1926, p.396, notes the presence of the Fraternity's Iota chapter.
  20. Kappa chapter originated as Sigma Tau Delta (local) in 1921, which affiliated into ΣΦΣ in 1924. This chapter closed in 1933, but its alumni were accepted into Tau Kappa Epsilon's Beta Lambda chapter at Auburn as it was established in 1947 (the ΣΦΣ chapter had no 'actives' to merge).
  21. As noted in the 1928 Glomerata yearbook, p.279, accessed 28 Aug 2020.
  22. Lambda chapter originated as Phi Kappa Delta (local) in 1921, which affiliated into ΣΦΣ in 1924. This chapter closed in 1932, but its alumni were accepted into Tau Kappa Epsilon's Beta Theta chapter at Missouri as it was established in 1947 (the ΣΦΣ chapter had no 'actives' to merge).
  23. The Missouri chapter was noted in the 1929 Savitar yearbook, p.332, accessed 28 Aug 2020.
  24. Mu chapter originated as Chi Upsilon (local) in 1923, which affiliated into ΣΦΣ in 1924. This chapter closed in 1935, but its alumni - some of them returning students - joined with alumni from Phi Sigma Kappa to re-establish its Zeta Deuteron chapter on the Madison campus. Address in 1966: 619 North Lake St., Madison, WI.
  25. Nu chapter originated as the Columbia Club (local) prior to 1924, which affiliated into ΣΦΣ in 1924. This chapter closed in 1932, but its alumni were accepted into Phi Sigma Kappa's Pi Deuteron chapter as of the 1947 dissolution agreement.
  26. Noted in the 1927 Makio yearbook, p.344. Accessed 28 Aug 2020.
  27. Xi chapter originated as Alpha Phi (local) earlier in 1925, which affiliated into ΣΦΣ later that year. This chapter closed in 1933. Baird's does not indicate a successor, but according to the dissolution agreement its alumni would have been welcomed into Phi Sigma Kappa although the latter group's Upsilon Deuteron chapter was, at the time, dormant.
  28. Noted in the 1928 Yackety yack yearbook, p.278, accessed 28 Aug 2020.
  29. Omicron chapter originated as Kappa Rho Sigma (local), formed in 1921, which affiliated into ΣΦΣ in 1928. This chapter closed in 1933. Baird's does not indicate a successor; according to the dissolution agreement its alumni would have been welcomed into Phi Sigma Kappa, although the latter group's Sigma Deuteron chapter was, after WWII, dormant.
  30. Summarized in the 1933 Cornhusker yearbook, p.174. Accessed 28 Aug 2020.
  31. Pi chapter originated as Kappa Theta (local), formed in 1925, which affiliated into ΣΦΣ in 1928. This chapter closed in 1936. Baird's does not indicate a successor; according to the dissolution agreement its alumni would have been welcomed into Phi Sigma Kappa's Lambda Deuteron chapter.
  32. Noted in the 1935 Tyee yearbook, p.227. Accessed 28 Aug 2020.
  33. Rho chapter originated as Alpha Sigma Beta (local), formed in 1924, which affiliated into ΣΦΣ in 1928. This chapter closed in 1936. Baird's does not indicate a successor; according to the dissolution agreement its alumni would have been welcomed into Phi Sigma Kappa's Chi Deuteron chapter.
  34. As noted in the 1935 Chinook yearbook, p.247. Accessed 28 Aug 2020.
  35. Sigma chapter originated as Tau Delta Epsilon (local), formed in 1927, which affiliated into ΣΦΣ in 1929. This chapter disaffiliated from ΣΦΣ in May 1934 to continue as a local under its former name of Tau Delta Epsilon, dormant today. Its last residence was reported as 45 Angell St., Providence, RI. Baird's does not list the year when the local chapter closed; assume 1935. A scan of yearbooks shows its last appearance in the Liber Brunensis yearbook was in 1935, with graduating members through 1938 either listing ΤΔΕ as their fraternal affiliation or NO affiliation, and a single exception of one fellow from the class of 1938 whose senior photo and paragraph notes he became a ΣΧ. One example record is the 1930 Liber Brunensis yearbook, p.152 of the online viewer, accessed 28 Aug 2020.
  36. According to a chapter listing in the 1920 edition of The Reveille yearbook, published through the University of Maryland, College Park, p.362, accessed 28 Aug 2020.
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