Phi Sigma Kappa, Phi Chapter Records
Scope and Contents
The collection includes correspondence, 1956-1957, concerning the Chapter's pledging of an African student, the first at the College, other correspondence mostly concerning the mounting debt, and agreements and leases.
Dates
- Creation: 1921-1991
Creator
- Phi Sigma Kappa. Phi Chapter (Swarthmore College) (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. One week delay on accessing recordings; some items may be in obsolete formats
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright has not been assigned to Friends Historical Library All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in to the Director. Permission for publication is given on behalf Friends Historical Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by reader.
Biographical / Historical
The Phi Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa was established at Swarthmore College in 1906, created from the merger of two local fraternities, Omega Alpha (founded 1902-03) and The Algonquin Club (1905). In 1956, the Chapter was the first at Swarthmore to pledge an African American student. While there were no restrictions in the national's constitution, this bid was contrary to the unwritten "gentleman's agreement" which promoted discrimination and the correspondence reflects the opposition from many chapters.
In the 1980s, the Chapter began to have mounting financial problems, and in 1991, the College abolished the fraternity because of its debt on its lodge. The College prohibited fraternities on campus without a house.
Extent
0.25 linear ft. (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Phi Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa was established at Swarthmore College in 1906. By 1991, it was abolished, a victim of mounting debt and student disinterest. The collection includes correspondence, 1956-1957, concerning the Chapter's pledging of an African American, the first at the College; other correspondence mostly concerning the mounting debt; and agreements and leases.
Physical Location
For current information on the location of materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Subject
- Phi Sigma Kappa. Phi Chapter (Swarthmore College) (Organization)
- Swarthmore College (Organization)
Source
- Phi Sigma Kappa. Phi Chapter (Swarthmore College) (Organization)
- Title
- Finding aid for Phi Sigma Kappa, Phi Chapter Records, 1921-1991
- Author
- Finding Aid Prepared by FHL staff
- Date
- 2013
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Find It at the Library
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