RIT Phi Beta Gamma Fraternity records

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: RITArc-0548

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains records, photographs, posters and a paddle from the Delta chapter of Phi Beta Gamma Fraternity at RIT. The documents primarily date from the 1970s.

Folder 1 contains the Delta chapter’s constitution from 1976-1977 and their judicial committee’s procedures. It also contains the crest of the Phi Beta Gamma Fraternity. There is a handwritten initiation ritual speech. Included within the folder is a memo of correspondence from the American Cancer Society thanking Phi Beta Gamma for their philanthropic event during the 1975 Cancer Crusade. There is also a report about a trip that the organization took.

Folder 2 contains promotional papers about rush and its associated rules on RIT’s campus, along with rush and social event flyers. Within this folder, there are various social calendars of Phi Beta Gamma.

Folder 3 and Folder 4 contain handwritten meeting minutes from fall 1971 to spring 1974 and fall 1974 to fall 1977.

Folder 5 contains 6 photos from one of Phi Beta Gamma’s Founders’ Day Banquets as well as four sheets of individual composite photographs of members of the Phi Beta Gamma Fraternity.

Also included are handwritten log books from 1971-1972. Oversized posters advertise rush events as well as social events hosted by Phi Beta Gamma. Additionally there is a pledge class paddle from Winter 1975. The paddle is 5 feet tall and chestnut brown in color.

Dates

Creation: 1971-1977

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

Phi Beta Gamma Fraternity was a co-educational fraternity. At RIT, the Phi Beta Gamma Fraternity chartered its Delta Chapter on February 8, 1971. According to their constitution, thie organization hoped to “promote a feeling of unity between brothers and non-brothers,” as well as to promote collaborative efforts across a variety of communities working for the same common goal. The brothers of Phi Beta Gamma Fraternity pledged to give all to tasks they took on and “to do the right thing at the right time in the right way." The fraternity hosted several campus events such as mixers, barbeques, and fundraisers. They worked on a variety of fundraisers and showed their philanthropic dedication by working with organizations such as the American Cancer Society. The members of this fraternity focused on building networking skills and long lasting brotherhood.

There is no information about when the Phi Beta Gamma Fraternity Delta chapter became defunct at RIT. There is no information about Phi Beta Gamma Fraternity’s existence as a co-ed fraternity on a national level. This suggests that either the Phi Beta Gamma Fraternity (co-ed) was a local or regional fraternity or that the national fraternal organization merged with another fraternity.

Extent

.5 Linear Feet (1 document box & 1 oversize folder)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

The Phi Beta Gamma Fraternity records is comprised of the organization’s constitution, policies, rush and social event flyers, over-sized advertisements, meeting minutes, photographs, and a pledge class paddle. This collection includes the fraternity’s founding day in 1971 through the beginning years of its existence on Rochester Institute of Technology campus.

Arrangement

Materials are arranged chronologically and by series.

Physical Location

The Phi Beta Gamma Fraternity records are located in C.S. North Shelf 230.
The 1975 Winter Quarter pledge class paddle is located in the C.S. South East Wall, Cubby.

Other Finding Aids

RITPhi Beta Gamma Fraternity records

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Phi Beta Gamma Fraternity records were donated to the RIT Archives by Patrick Frantz in 1978. These records are being combined with other materials related to Phi Beta Gamma Fraternity to create a comprehensive collection.

Accession number(s): 1978:032