MenuInventory of the Pi Beta Phi, North Carolina Beta Chapter (Duke University) Records, 1929-1988
Abstract
Contains materials relating to the establishment, governance, philanthropy, and campus activities of the North Carolina Beta chapter of Pi Beta Phi fraternity for women at Duke University from 1929-1988. The bulk of material is from 1974-1977 and 1983-1988.
Types of materials include manuals, rosters, minutes, photographs, scrapbooks, reports, creative writing, and published materials. Major topics include student life at Duke University, establishing a fraternal organization, pledging, initiation, community service activities, social activities, songs, general governance, leadership, philanthropy, and public relations.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- University Archives, Duke University
- Creator
- Pi Beta Phi. North Carolina Beta Chapter (Duke University).
- Title
- Pi Beta Phi, North Carolina Beta Chapter (Duke University) Records, 1929-1988
- Language of Material
- English
- Extent
- 9.8 Linear Feet, 3000 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection Overview
Contains photographs, general orientation materials, guidelines, yearbooks, meeting minutes, scrapbooks, Book of Pledges' Signatures and published materials relating to the North Carolina Beta chapter of Pi Beta Phi fraternity for women. By request of the donor, minutes are restricted to current Pi Beta Phi, North Carolina Beta chapter members. Users must obtain written permission from the North Carolina Beta chapter President to view the minutes.
Administrative Information
Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
Access Restrictions
Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
Portions of these materials are restricted by donor request.
Use Restrictions
Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
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Expand AllContains chapter organization history, membership lists, minutes, and a guide for chapter historians. By request of the donor, minutes are restricted to current Pi Beta Phi, North Carolina Beta chapter members. Users must obtain written permission from the North Carolina Beta chapter President to view the minutes. Ordered by alphabetically by folder title. The Petition of Mu Lambda Chapter of Duke University to Pi Beta Phi Fraternity contains profiles of each member, recommendations, and general history of Mu Lambda's petition to join Pi Beta Phi. Ordered alphabetically by folder title.
Chapter social and philanthropy activities, ca 1973-1983 Contains creative works, photographs, pledge materials, award for philanthropy, and a guest book from the 50th reunion in 1983. Ordered alphabetically by folder title.
Contains yearbooks documenting the social, academic, personal, and philanthropic activities of the North Carolina Beta chapter. The types of materials included in the yearbooks are: photographs, miscellaneous notes, clippings, souvenirs, official statements, creative works, personal narratives, chapter evaluations, and some correspondence. Pages are numbered and in original order. Most yearbooks were bound with string. Two covers were included. Ordered by date.
The Arrow, published by Pi Beta Phi headquarters, is the fraternity's national public relations and communications tool. The magazine is mailed to alumnae and collegiate members, Greek advisers, university administrators and officers of other international Greek organizations. Ordered by date.
Historical Note
From: http://www.pibetaphi.org/ and Petition of Mu Lambda Chapter of Duke University to Pi Beta Phi Fraternity
Pi Beta Phi Fraternity was founded at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois, on April 28, 1867 as a social group for women college students. The fraternity was first known as I.C. Sorosis. The founding chapter disbanded because Monmouth College banned secret societies, and other chapters chose to adopt the new name of Pi Beta Phi in 1888. Pi Beta Phi was the first national secret college society of women to be modeled after the Greek-letter fraternities of men. During a time when few women were admitted to colleges and universities, Pi Beta Phi created a feeling of unity among pioneering women. Some of the symbols of Pi Beta Phi are the golden arrow badge, the carnation, arrowhead pledge pin, and angels. Fraternity history indicates that songs about Pi Beta Phi angels became popular in the late 1930s and early 1940s, and that skits depicting Pi Beta Phis as angels were often used in rush. The colors of the Fraternity are wine and silver blue. The national fraternity supports various philanthropies including Arrowmont (an arts and crafts school), Links to Literacy (promoting lifelong literacy), and Arrow in the Arctic (supporting northern Canadian public libraries). Pi Beta Phi is part of the National Panhellenic Conference.
Mu Lambda Sorority was organized at Duke University on April 22, 1929 by a group of seven women for the purpose of strengthening their bonds of friendship. Mu Lambda pledged three women in fall 1929, and added four more pledges in spring 1930. During the months following the organization of Mu Lambda, its members made a detailed study of the most outstanding sororities which were not on the Duke campus. These sororities sent representatives to interview Mu Lambda. Mu Lambda, advised by Dean Alice Mary Baldwin, decided that Pi Beta Phi was the most desirable sorority. From then on, Mu Lambda attempted to live up to Pi Beta Phi ideals.
Around 1930-1931, to assist with their petition with Pi Beta Phi, six Pi Beta Phis of Durham (alumnae of other schools) organized themselves as an advisory council for Mu Lambda. In 1933, Mu Lambda was accepted into Pi Beta Phi and became the North Carolina Beta chapter. The chapter has been active on Duke campus since 1933 and is governed by the Panhellenic Association at Duke University. Some of their service activities included building a Habitat for Humanity house, serving meals in rest homes, and reading to school children.
Subject Headings
- Duke University--History.
- Duke University--Societies, etc.
- Duke University--Students--Societies, etc.
- Greek letter societies.
- Greek letter societies--North Carolina--Durham.
- Initiations (into trades, societies, etc.)
- Pi Beta Phi. North Carolina Beta Chapter (Duke University).
- Women college students--North Carolina--Societies and clubs.
Related Material
- Fraternities and Sororities collection. (University Archives, Duke University)
- Duke University. Interfraternity Council. Records. (University Archives, Duke University)
- Duke University. Panhellenic Council records. (University Archives, Duke University)
- Photograph Collection (University Archives, Duke University)
- Downhower, Laura. Spring Sorority Rush: a Booklet for First-year Women about Rush and Sororities at Duke. 1989. (University Archives, Duke University. )
- Sororities at Duke: a Booklet to Tell You the Whys and Hows of Rushing. 1953-1968 [serial]. (University Archives, Duke University.)
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Pi Beta Phi, North Carolina Beta Chapter (Duke University) Records, University Archives, Duke University.
Provenance
The Pi Beta Phi, North Carolina Beta Chapter (Duke University) Records were received by the University Archives as a transfer in 1980-1990.
Processing Information
Processed by Emily Glenn, December 2002
Updated by Jessica Wood, February 2007
Encoded by Sherrie Bowser, December 2007
Accessions 80--18, 80--70, 84-76, 85--132, 85--142, 86--11, 86--33, A90-35 were merged into one collection, described in this finding aid.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and our local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.