The history of the community dates back to the early days of the university.
The 60’s proved to be a building and development phase for the community. The community began in 1965 with the founding of a local organization Alpha Kappa Pi. Shortly after, Alpha Lambda Chi, Delta Delta Tau and Epsilon Delta emerged as local fraternities. From the beginning of the local fraternities, all began the process of affiliating with (inter)national organizations; Alpha Kappa Pi was the first local to become affiliated in 1968, with Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity. Alpha Epsilon Pi, an international Jewish fraternity, became the second national group, also in 1968. To finish the 60’s the Chi Phi National Fraternity picked up the local Alpha Lambda Chi organization. Greek Week, a competition between the chapters, emerged in this time as well.
The 70’s were a busy time in the community. Epsilon Kappa Delta, a local group, quickly began the process of affiliating with Lambda Chi Alpha International Fraternity and became a colony in 1970. The local Delta Delta Tau organization became affiliated with Theta Xi National Fraternity just two year later. Tau Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity emerged at Florida Tech in 1975, being the second group without local roots to begin on campus. In the late 70’s the first recorded sorority emerged as a local group with the name Sigma Omicron Phi.
The 80’s proved to be a slow period in community development. Delta Sigma Phi was the only international male fraternity to form, and Sigma Omicron Phi, the sole local sorority, became affiliated with Gamma Phi Beta National Sorority after a failed attempt at affiliation with Zeta Tau Alpha International Fraternity. Tau Kappa Epsilon was closed in the 80’s for violation of their single sex status by initiating women into their organization. The chapter was re-opened in 1986 after the offending members had graduated.
The 90’s were a booming and rapidly changing time for the community. Alpha Phi International Fraternity, a women’s group, became the first and only women’s organization to establish a chapter without a local organization or interest group in 1990; bringing the sororities to a total of three groups. Shortly after Alpha Phi’s chartering, Sigma Kappa closed due to low membership numbers. A local sorority, Zeta Chi, may have been formed and closed sometime in the 90’s as well. Pi Lambda Phi National Fraternity established themselves in 1992. Order of Omega, a fraternity and sorority honor society, emerged in 1992 to recognize leaders in service, academics and character. The Order of Omega chapter was found in violation of university hazing regulations and closed in 1999.
Up until 2001, the fraternities and sororities were advised by the same Student Life Staff member who advised all student organizations. Very little specialized support, guidance or advisement was provided. In 2001, the very first Fraternity and Sorority Affairs professional was hired specifically to work with the groups. The creation of this position at Florida Tech was much later than the national norm. Other universities had begun establishing this position as early as 1976 when the Association of Fraternity Advisors Professional Organization was established. This specialized staff member was a welcomed addition to the sorority community and the Panhellenic Council began rapid changed to improve. The Interfraternity Council and fraternities, on the other hand, met this addition with some initial resistance and lack of trust. The Panhellenic strengthened to the point that the addition of a third national group became a distinct possibly. This addition makes Delta Psi Sigma, a local sorority, the last local organization to date to become affiliated with an international group. Phi Sigma Sigma was selected by the women of Delta Psi Sigma after three groups presented on campus in spring of 2004. Order of Omega was re-established in 2002.
In the fall of 2004, the second fraternity and sorority professional was hired. The Interfraternity Council became the focus of much attention and began the rebuilding process with the creation of the Interfraternity Disciplinary Committee. In the spring of 2005, the Rho Lambda Panhellenic Honor Society was created to recognize women who have significantly contributed to the Panhellenic community. In the fall of 2005 Alpha Tau Omega National Fraternity was invited by the Interfraternity Council to do a formal presentation with intent to colonize in the spring of 2006. The Interfraternity Council member fraternities voted unanimously to approve the expansion on October 2, 2005.
Inthespringof2009,thethirdfraternityandsororityprofessionalwashired. CatMcGuireCarnley’sfocusshiftedtointerfraternal relations, education and leadership development of the Greek Community. Fraternity and Sorority Life changed their name to Greek Life and Rho Lambda was closed due to low membership numbers. The members involved with Rho Lambda were initiated into the Order of Omega. In the spring of 2009 Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity was colonized with a group of 30 men. In November of 2010, Delta Tau Delta was officially chartered. Then with a huge influx of new students, Sigma Tau Gamma was colonized in spring 2012.
This history was created with participation from the current chapter leadership; attempts were made to verify all of the information.
