Theta Upsilon

Theta Upsilon (ΘΥ) was a national women's fraternity operating in the United States from February 1921 until May 1962, when the group was absorbed by the Delta Zeta sorority.

Theta Upsilon
ΘΥ
FoundedJanuary 1, 1914 (1914-01-01)
University of California, Berkeley
TypeSocial
AffiliationNPC (former))
ScopeNational
MottoLet there be light
Member badge
ColorsThe rainbow tints:   Red,   Orange,   Yellow
  Green,   Cyan,   Blue, and   Violet
SymbolRising Sun, Rainbow, Lion Rampant, the letters ΑΕΙ
FlowerIris
TreeBay tree
Patron Greek divinityApollo
PublicationThe Dial
Chapters38 installed, 9 merged
Merged withDelta Zeta (1962)

Local Club

Theta Upsilon began as a local club at the University of California, Berkeley when six female students moved into a house on Walnut Street. The house became known as "The Walnut Shell".[1]

In the academic year of 1913–1914, twelve girls organized an official "house club" under the university. It was called Mekatina, which meant "Among the Hills". Mekatina had a ritual based on Native American themes. The pin was a rising sun. The formal founding date, according to Delta Zeta's history, was January 1, 1914.[1]

National Fraternity

On February 7, 1921, the Mekatina students renamed themselves inaugural members of the Alpha chapter of Theta Upsilon. Ida Shaw Martin, of the Sorority Service Bureau, is credited with outlining the plans for Theta Upsilon and perfected its ritual.[1]

Theta Upsilon would eventually install 38 chapters across the country. It benefited, too, from mergers with smaller groups. Early in its history, the fraternity merged with Lambda Omega sorority, which only the year prior had absorbed Alpha Sigma Delta sorority. Lambda Omega had begun as the Norroena club at Berkeley in 1915. its name meant "Breath of the North," with a ritual based on Native American and Norse values. The Norse values emphasized were hardihood, hospitality, economy, and friendship. Lambda Omega was an associate member of the National Panhellenic Conference. In 1932, Lambda Omega had absorbed Alpha Sigma Delta, which began as the Iaqua club, also at Berkeley in 1919. In 1932, Lambda Omega was, in turn, absorbed by Theta Upsilon.[1]

The chapter at Berkeley, therefore, was the product of three Alpha chapters of small national sororities, prior to itself merging into Delta Zeta's Mu chapter in 1962.

Merger with Delta Zeta

On May 6, 1962, Theta Upsilon fraternity was officially absorbed by Delta Zeta sorority.[2] The ceremony was held at the Alpha Alpha chapter house at Northwestern University. Delta Zeta gained nine new collegiate chapters while several others were enhanced by mergers.

Chapters

Theta Upsilon had installed a total of 38 chapters by the time of the merger, counting its own and those it absorbed from Lambda Omega. Chapters active at the time of the ΔΖ merger are those in bold, those which were inactive are noted in italics. [3]

Name Chartered Institution Location Status Notes Reference
Alpha 1914–May 6, 1962 University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, California Merged Merged into Mu chapter of ΔΖ [lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2]
Beta 1921–1938 Brenau University Gainesville, Georgia Inactive
Gamma 1923–1940, 1946–May 6, 1962 University of Illinois Champaign, Illinois Merged Merged into Alpha Beta chapter of ΔΖ
Delta 1923–1940, 1946–1952 Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio Inactive [lower-alpha 3]
Epsilon 1923–1933 Washington State University Pullman, Washington Inactive [lower-alpha 4]
Zeta 1923–1936 Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, Ohio Inactive [lower-alpha 5]
Eta 1924–1955 Allegheny College Meadville, Pennsylvania Inactive
Theta 1924–1936 Boston University Boston, Massachusetts Inactive
Iota 1924–May 6, 1962 Simpson College Indianola, Iowa Merged Became Theta Alpha chapter of ΔΖ [lower-alpha 6]
Kappa 1925–1939 Ohio University Athens, Ohio Inactive [lower-alpha 7]
Lambda 1925–1939 Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida Inactive
Mu 1925–May 6, 1962 Miami University Oxford, Ohio Merged Merged into Alpha chapter of ΔΖ [lower-alpha 8]
Nu 1925–1928 Ripon College Ripon, Wisconsin Withdrew Reverted to Delta Delta Beta (local)
Later, became ΑΦ		 [lower-alpha 9]
Xi 1926–May 6, 1962 Birmingham–Southern College Birmingham, Alabama Merged Became Theta Beta chapter of ΔΖ [lower-alpha 10]
Omicron 1927–1961 University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, California Inactive [lower-alpha 11]
Pi 1928–1930 Lombard College [lower-alpha 12] Galesburg, Illinois Inactive
Rho 1929–1940, 1946–1952 University of Washington Seattle, Washington Inactive [lower-alpha 13]
Sigma 1930–1957 Utah State University Logan, Utah Withdrew Reverted to Zeta Chi (local)
Later, became ΔΔΔ		 [lower-alpha 14]
Tau 1930–May 6, 1962 University of New Hampshire Durham, New Hampshire Merged Became Theta Gamma chapter of ΔΖ [lower-alpha 15]
Upsilon 1931–May 6, 1962 Westminster College New Wilmington, Pennsylvania Merged Became Theta Delta chapter of ΔΖ [lower-alpha 16]
Phi 1931–1941 Nebraska Wesleyan University Lincoln, Nebraska Inactive [lower-alpha 17]
Chi 1931–1936 West Virginia University Morgantown, West Virginia Inactive [lower-alpha 18]
Psi 1932–May 6, 1962 Louisiana Tech Ruston, Louisiana Merged Became Theta Epsilon chapter of ΔΖ [lower-alpha 19]
Alpha Alpha 1932–1952 University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, Alabama Inactive [lower-alpha 20]
Beta Alpha 1932–1960 New York University New York City, New York Inactive [lower-alpha 21]
Gamma Alpha 1933–1948 Millikin University Decatur, Illinois Inactive [lower-alpha 22]
Delta Alpha 1933–May 6, 1962 Temple University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Merged Merged into Delta Tau chapter of ΔΖ [lower-alpha 23]
Epsilon Alpha 1933–1940 Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois Inactive [lower-alpha 24]
Zeta Alpha 1933–1941 University of Denver Denver, Colorado Inactive [lower-alpha 24]
Eta Alpha 1933–1937 University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah Inactive [lower-alpha 24]
Theta Alpha 1933–1935 Colby College Waterville, Maine Inactive [lower-alpha 24][lower-alpha 25]
Iota Alpha 1935–1956 Auburn University Auburn, Alabama Inactive
Kappa Alpha 1939–May 6, 1962 University of Akron Akron, Ohio Merged Became Theta Zeta chapter of ΔΖ [lower-alpha 26]
Lambda Alpha 1947–1960 University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado Inactive
Mu Alpha 1954–May 6, 1962 Creighton University Omaha, Nebraska Merged Became Theta Eta chapter of ΔΖ [lower-alpha 27]
Nu Alpha 1955–1961 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, Michigan Inactive [lower-alpha 28]
Xi Alpha 1958–May 6, 1962 DePaul University (Chicago) Chicago, Illinois Merged Became Theta Theta chapter of ΔΖ [lower-alpha 29]
Omicron Alpha 1960–May 6, 1962 Western Carolina College Cullowhee, North Carolina Merged Became Theta Iota chapter of ΔΖ [lower-alpha 30]

In 1962 there were four "overlaps" in chapters at California, Miami, Illinois, and Temple universities. These merged into existing Delta Zeta chapters on their respective campuses. [1]

Fairly early, a chapter at Ripon College reverted to its local name. Thirty years later it would become an Alpha Phi chapter.

A chapter at Utah State University reverted to its local name, briefly, before becoming a Delta Delta Delta chapter.[3]

Notes
  1. Began as the Mekatina Club in 1909.
  2. Interestingly, this chapter is a result of the eventual merger of the Alpha chapters of three sororities all formed at Berkeley, namely ΛΩ (1915), ΑΣΔ (1918), and ΘΥ (1914).
  3. Began as Sigma Phi Omega (local) in 1921.
  4. Began as Sigma Upsilon (local).
  5. Began as Zeta Chi (local) in 1922.
  6. Began as Beta Xi (local) in 1924.
  7. Began as Alpha Iota Pi (local) in 1922.
  8. Began as Kappa Psi Delta (local) in 1922.
  9. Baird's notes this group was later called Kappa Sigma Chi (local), which became Gamma Psi chapter of ΑΦ, active from 1959–1970.
  10. Began as Alpha Alpha Alpha (local) in 1922.
  11. Began as Omega Delta Pi (local) in 1922.
  12. Lombard College ceased operations in 1930.
  13. Began as the "E.T.A. Club" (local) in 1927.
  14. Began as Zeta Chi (local) in 1922. Became the Phi Pi chapter of ΔΔΔ, active from 1959–1971.
  15. Began as Sigma Omicron (local) in 1926.
  16. Began as Pi Rho Phi (local) in 1905.
  17. Began as Delta Phi (local) in 1916.
  18. Began as Pi Tau Delta (local) in 1926.
  19. Began as Delta Phi Gamma (local) in 1926.
  20. Began as Alpha Omega (local) in 1930.
  21. Began as Psi Xi Omega (local) in 1919.
  22. Began as Theta Gamma (local) in 1921.
  23. Began as Alpha Theta Pi (local) in 1915.
  24. Formerly a Lambda Omega chapter.
  25. It's interesting to note that this chapter, in the span of seven years, had four Greek letter names: It had been still a local chapter in 1928 called Beta Chi Theta (local). Later in 1928 it became Gamma chapter of Alpha Sigma Delta. In 1932 it became the Iota chapter of Lambda Omega, and in 1933 the Theta Alpha chapter of Theta Upsilon. It would close by 1935, probably due in large part to the pressure of the Great Depression.
  26. Began as Phi Kappa Delta (local) in 1922.
  27. Began as Kappa Beta Gamma (local) in 1948.
  28. Began as Alpha Pi Beta (local) in 1952.
  29. Began as Delta Chi Alpha (local) in 1958.
  30. Began as Delta Gamma Phi (local) in 1957.

Seven Degrees of Membership

(Per Delta Zeta's history)

  • Rainbow Degree: pledge ceremony; new members received rainbow ribbons
  • Iris Degree: second pledge ceremony; pledge pin of sterling silver fleur-de-lis received
  • Covenant Degree: initiation degree, "full lifetime membership"; received official badge of "a pearled Θ superimposed upon Y"[1]
  • Temple Degree: awarded to alumnae at national convention; distinguished those who "supported and cooperated with the national fraternity"[1]
  • Laurel Degree: awarded to Temple degree members who showed "outstanding service";[1] given at National Convention
  • Mother/Patroness Degree: awarded to mothers of initiates, patronesses of college chapters, and housemothers.
  • Honorary Patron: awarded by college chapters to any man who made an outstanding contribution to the fraternity; approved by National Council

Symbols
  • The flower was the iris.
  • The tree was the bay tree.
  • The patron was Apollo.
  • The official motto: Let there be light
  • The magazine was The Dial [1]
  • The colors were the Rainbow tints[4]
  • Insignia were Rising Sun, Rainbow, Lion Rampant[4]
  • The crest included a rampant lion on a rising sun, with a banner at the bottom with the Greek or Roman letters A, E, and I.[5]

Creed

"As a daughter of light, I believe in loyalty to God, the Light of all our being; in loyalty to our country, the land of opportunity and freedom, where all women have important roles to play; in loyalty to our fellowmen with whom I shall seek constantly understanding and true love.

"I believe in love, learning, and labor, bearing in mind that each is incomplete without the other- true love expressed through intelligence, service, learning acquired as a result of loving interest in others, and labor inspired by love and guided by intelligence.

"I believe in Theta Upsilon, its purposes, its ideals, and its aspirations. I pledge my heart, my head, and my hand to be a good citizen on the campus and in the community, to cooperate in all endeavors, to maintain high ideals in social life, to uphold a worthy standard in harmony with my sisters in Theta Upsilon, that together we may work to further the divine plan for all mankind."
-- Beatrice Card Fuller.[1]

See also

References
  1. Miner, Florence Hood (1983). Delta Zeta Sorority 1902- 1982: Building on Yesterday, Reaching for Tomorrow. Indianapolis, Indiana: Compolith Graphics and Maury Boyd and Associates, Inc. pp. 150–151.
  2. Staff (Spring 1990). McKeeman, Gwen Moss (ed.). "The Lamp of Delta Zeta" (PDF). 79 (1). Oxford Ohio: Delta Zeta Sorority: 9, 16 and 19. Retrieved 2 December 2021. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. William Raimond Baird; Carroll Lurding (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive), list of inactive GLOs, including Theta Upsilon chapters". Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved 16 November 2021. The main archive URL is The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage.
  4. Mrs. Ida Shaw Martin (1923). The Sorority Handbook. Ida Shaw Martin. p. 89.
  5. Noted in the 1935 Colby College Oracle yearbook, page 100. Accessed 24 Nov 2021.
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