Historical Note
Delta Mu was the first sorority to be formed at Oregon Agricultural
College in January 23, 1915. Two other sorority chapters, Alpha Chi Omega and
Alpha Chi, were formed later that year. The Women’s Interfraternity Council was
formed in 1917 and renamed the Panhellenic in 1919. Composed of representatives
from the sorority chapters on the Oregon State University campus Panhellenic is
the governing body of the sorority chapters and is responsible for providing
support to the chapters. The Panhellenic Council is a national organization of
collegiate sororities.
Content Description
Series I contains the minutes of the Executive Council. The microfilmed
records also contain minutes of the Panhellenic Council. Series II contains
constitutions from 1922 and 1937. Series III contains publications created by
Panhellenic. A large portion of the series consists of
Rush Handbooks from 1924 to 1996. Handbooks
that were published between the years 1948-1996 have illustrations of sorority
insignias, photographs of sorority houses on campus, and photographs that
capture the activities of each sorority chapter. The series also contains a
newsletter entitled the
Thermometer which describes the activities
in 1978-1979.
Series IV contains a newspaper clipping about the first time Oregon
State University held the Panhellenic Conference for the Pacific Northwest
region. Series V contains ephemera related to the sororities, including a list
of sorority chapters and their dates of origins on campus, a Panhellenic
National Conference Manual of Information dated 1958, and a handout of sorority
guidelines for rushing. Series VI contains honors and awards that the council
have received from various groups including; the Panhellenic Conference,
Western Regional Greek Conference, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Series VII consists of two scrapbook leaves and one full scrapbook with
photographs of and original artwork by the executive council members of
Panhellenic. The scrapbooks also include photographs and original artwork
documenting the social activities of each sorority chapter during the 1980s.
Series VIII consists of posters that promote rushing during the 1980-1982
academic years.
The microfilmed records date from 1957-1960. Series 1, consists of
Executive Council meeting minutes for 1958-1960. Series 2 contains the 1957
constitution of the organization. Series 3 contains the Rush Chairman Handbook
and the Counselor's and Delegate Handbook. Series 4 contains correspondence for
the years 1958-1960. Series 5 contains programs for the 1959 spring retreat.
Series 6 includes a cost sheet for Oregon State College sororities, a document
from the Dean of Women’s office recording the high school GPA of women entering
as freshmen, spring rush rules, a 1958 spring retreat program, and a list of
sororities for fall term 1958.
Arrangement
Due to differences in series designation between the paper and
microfilmed records in this group, the paper and microfilmed records are
described separately in the inventory.
The paper records are arranged into eight series: I. Minutes; II.
Constitutions; III. Publications; IV. Newspapers Clippings; V. Ephemera; VI.
Honors and Awards; VII. Scrapbooks; VIII. Posters
The microfilmed records are arranged into six series: Series 1. Minutes;
Series 2. Constitution; Series 3. Handbooks; Series 4. Correspondence; Series
5. Programs; and Series 6. Ephemera.