Finding Aid to the Phi Upsilon Omicron Beta Chapter Records
Collection
Identifier: UA 0059.1
Scope and Contents
There are eight series in the Phi Upsilon Omicron Records: General Chapter Series (1918-1992) includes histories of the Chapter, Constitution and Bylaws, articles of incorporation, sorority house (1920-1926), initiation scrolls, installation of officers, rituals, chapter and guest books, a cookbook, various form letters, Newsletters (1924-1942), and various activities. The Meeting Minutes Series (1918-1987) consists of four bound journals covering 1918-1923, 1923-1924, 1949-1950, and 1981-1987. The Financial Series (1920-1991) includes: bound Account Books (1920-1945, 1948-1983), financial reports (1966-1972), receipt forms (1976, 1978), treasurer’s reports (1979-1989), audit (1985-1986), bank statements (1987-1992), and ledgers (1988-1990, 1990-1991); The Correspondence Series (1923-1958) contains letters to/from Chapter Presidents (1924-1957) and Vice Presidents (1950s), members, business concerns (1923-1930), fiftieth anniversary, and general correspondence (1940s-1950s). The Beta Alumnae Series (1923-1957) consist of bylaws, meeting minutes (1928-1934, 1952-1987, 1995-1999 [gaps]), financial records (1923-1935, 1976-2001), Newsletters (1929-1936, 1982, 1985, 1999), ratings and annual reports (1924-1957 [gaps]), and chapter books (1932-1957). The Membership Series (1815-1987) includes listings of initiates from 1925 through 1952, member/alumni listings from 1915 through 1987, and the letter deactivating the chapter in 2000. The National Series (1920-1998) includes information and photograph on national Conclaves (meetings), books/monographs, and phonograph albums. The Scrapbook Series (1919-1990) consists of 26 scrapbooks. These scrapbooks present an overview of the fraternity’s activities during a seventy-year period. The scrapbooks contain photographs, news clippings, member biographies, yearly activity programs, cards, correspondence, award and banquet programs and flyers, and special event programs. Some of the scrapbooks are in excellent shape while others are extremely brittle.
Dates
- 1915-2001
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.
Conditions Governing Access
The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyrights to this collection is held by The North Dakota State University Archives.
Biographical / Historical
Phi Upsilon Omicron Fraternity is today a national honor society in family and consumer sciences.
However, it began in 1909 at the University of Minnesota as the Home Economics Club, with the intent
of service, professional study and advancement of home economics. On May 17, 1911, the Home
Economics Club was disbanded and Phi Upsilon Omicron came into being and the Alpha Chapter was
legally incorporated on December 12, 1911.
The Beta Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron Fraternity had its beginnings at North Dakota Agricultural College (NDAC) as a local sorority, Chi Gamma Psi. They originally organized in 1912, “with the purpose of promoting high scholarship and a more perfect fellowship and understanding between faculty and students.” (1914 Agassiz) In 1913 they petitioned the Alpha Chapter for a charter. Since nothing was heard from the Alpha Chapter, in the early fall of 1914, two members of Chi Gamma Psi took the train to Minneapolis-St. Paul to present their case for a charter in Phi Upsilon Omicron. A few weeks after returning to Fargo, they received the news that the charter had been granted and the Beta Chapter at NDAC was to be installed on November 14, 1914 in the parlor of the Annex Hotel (began the Gardner Hotel) consisting of twelve charter members. Within a few years, graduates of NDAC who were former members of Phi Upsilon Omicron began the Beta Alumnae Chapter. Although it was not formally organized until 1922, their activities date back to 1919.
In 1918, after receiving approval from the Board of Regents, the Beta Chapter rented a sorority house, four blacks from campus. In 1920 they bought a house on Twelfth Avenue (1414 12th Avenue North) and in 1926 they sold the house to Kappa Psi fraternity. The money from the sale was invested and by 1954 the funds were in excess of $5,000. The Phi U. Alumnae and Actives gave this money to furnish the Founder’s Room in the then new Home Economics building.
The purpose of Phi Upsilon Omicron is to “advance and upbuild [sic] the science of Home Economics and to further its development throughout the Nation: As a science it represents a comparatively new field of endeavor, but it is one which will surely become of utmost importance.” (1923 Agassiz)
The Beta Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron Fraternity had its beginnings at North Dakota Agricultural College (NDAC) as a local sorority, Chi Gamma Psi. They originally organized in 1912, “with the purpose of promoting high scholarship and a more perfect fellowship and understanding between faculty and students.” (1914 Agassiz) In 1913 they petitioned the Alpha Chapter for a charter. Since nothing was heard from the Alpha Chapter, in the early fall of 1914, two members of Chi Gamma Psi took the train to Minneapolis-St. Paul to present their case for a charter in Phi Upsilon Omicron. A few weeks after returning to Fargo, they received the news that the charter had been granted and the Beta Chapter at NDAC was to be installed on November 14, 1914 in the parlor of the Annex Hotel (began the Gardner Hotel) consisting of twelve charter members. Within a few years, graduates of NDAC who were former members of Phi Upsilon Omicron began the Beta Alumnae Chapter. Although it was not formally organized until 1922, their activities date back to 1919.
In 1918, after receiving approval from the Board of Regents, the Beta Chapter rented a sorority house, four blacks from campus. In 1920 they bought a house on Twelfth Avenue (1414 12th Avenue North) and in 1926 they sold the house to Kappa Psi fraternity. The money from the sale was invested and by 1954 the funds were in excess of $5,000. The Phi U. Alumnae and Actives gave this money to furnish the Founder’s Room in the then new Home Economics building.
The purpose of Phi Upsilon Omicron is to “advance and upbuild [sic] the science of Home Economics and to further its development throughout the Nation: As a science it represents a comparatively new field of endeavor, but it is one which will surely become of utmost importance.” (1923 Agassiz)
Extent
8 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Overview
There are eight series in the Phi Upsilon Omicron Records: General Chapter Series (1918-1992) includes histories of the Chapter, Constitution and Bylaws, articles of incorporation, sorority house (1920-1926), initiation scrolls, installation of officers, rituals, chapter and guest books, a cookbook, various form letters, Newsletters (1924-1942), and various activities. The Meeting Minutes Series (1918-1987) consists of four bound journals covering 1918-1923, 1923-1924, 1949-1950, and 1981-1987. The Financial Series (1920-1991) includes: bound Account Books (1920-1945, 1948-1983), financial reports (1966-1972), receipt forms (1976, 1978), treasurer’s reports (1979-1989), audit (1985-1986), bank statements (1987-1992), and ledgers (1988-1990, 1990-1991); The Correspondence Series (1923-1958) contains letters to/from Chapter Presidents (1924-1957) and Vice Presidents (1950s), members, business concerns (1923-1930), fiftieth anniversary, and general correspondence (1940s-1950s). The Beta Alumnae Series (1923-1957) consist of bylaws, meeting minutes (1928-1934, 1952-1987, 1995-1999 [gaps]), financial records (1923-1935, 1976-2001), Newsletters (1929-1936, 1982, 1985, 1999), ratings and annual reports (1924-1957 [gaps]), and chapter books (1932-1957). The Membership Series (1815-1987) includes listings of initiates from 1925 through 1952, member/alumni listings from 1915 through 1987, and the letter deactivating the chapter in 2000. The National Series (1920-1998) includes information and photograph on national Conclaves (meetings), books/monographs, and phonograph albums. The Scrapbook Series (1919-1990) consists of 26 scrapbooks. These scrapbooks present an overview of the fraternity’s activities during a seventy-year period. The scrapbooks contain photographs, news clippings, member biographies, yearly activity programs, cards, correspondence, award and banquet programs and flyers, and special event programs. Some of the scrapbooks are in excellent shape while others are extremely brittle.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Transferred by Director of Student Services and Advancement, College of Human
Development and Education, 1997 (Acc. 207).
Separated Materials
The following have been removed from the collection and placed with books.
• Ten Women of Vision in Home Economics • Phi Upsilon Omicron A History 1909 – 1944
• Ten Women of Vision in Home Economics • Phi Upsilon Omicron A History 1909 – 1944
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Phi Upsilon Omicron Beta Chapter Records
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University Archives Repository
Contact:
West Building
3551 7th Avenue N
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building
3551 7th Avenue N
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu