Pi Beta Phi, North Carolina Beta Chapter (Duke University) records, 1929-1988

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Summary

Creator:
Pi Beta Phi. North Carolina Beta Chapter (Duke University)
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.
Extent:
9.8 Linear Feet
3000 Items
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
UA.31.22.0005
University Archives Record Group:
31 -- Student/Campus Life
31 -- Student/Campus Life > 22 -- Social Fraternities and Sororities

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:
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.

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

Portions of these materials are restricted by donor request.

Terms of access:

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.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Pi Beta Phi, North Carolina Beta Chapter (Duke University) Records, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.