Alpha Delta Phi

Alpha Delta Phi
AΔΦ
Abbreviation:	ADP
Org Founded:	1832 at Hamilton College
CU Chapter:	Columbia chapter
Chapter Established:	1836
Motto:	"Manus Multæ Cor Unum" Many Hands, One Heart
Symbol(s):	Escutcheon
House:	526 W. 114th
Recognition:	IFC
Contact:

Alpha Delta Phi Society, known as ADP, is a coed Greek organization whose (very large) house is located on Frat Row.

Although founded as a formal fraternity in 1836, Columbia's first such organization, the group is now known as a sort of alternative to fraternities and sororities and this reputation is reflected by its membership, a collection of bohemian/hipster types. It even styles itself as a "literary society" instead of a fraternity.

The Columbia Chapter is the fifth oldest chapter of any Greek organization still in existence (after Sigma Phi at Union - 1827, Alpha Delta Phi at Hamilton - 1832, Psi Upsilon at Union - 1833, and Alpha Delta Phi at Miami - 1835). After becoming co-ed in the 1980s, the group split off from the Alpha Delta Phi along with chapters at Brown, Wesleyan, Bowdoin, Stanford, and Amherst and founded the Alpha Delta Phi Society in 1992. Currently there are undergraduate chapters of the Society at Brown, Wesleyan, Stanford, and the University of New Hampshire.

The group throws a popular event called "Hot Jazz" every year, although it was cancelled in 2007 due to ADP's inability to get permission from Columbia. This is further evidence that it is distinct from traditional fraternities, since such "real" fraternities don't feel the need to get permission from the university to throw parties.

Notably, like Beta, their house is not owned by the University, but rather by a board of governors of the society. Through an agreement, however, the University operates the building, and rooms are assigned there through Housing Services similar to other Greek houses.

Vampire Weekend used to play shows there when its members were students at the university.

Service & Philanthropy

Unlike the other fraternities in the Inter-Fraternity Council, ADP is known as a Literary Society. The organization’s service work is focused on supporting the arts. ADP hosts bi-weekly open-mic “Lit Nights” where all members of the community are encouraged to bring and read their favorite works, original or otherwise. ADP also hosts a monthly Coffee Haus music series. This series is one of the few outlets on campus for student bands to perform publicly.