View source for Delta Sigma Phi

{{Infobox greek
|Name=Delta Sigma Phi
|Letters=ΔΣΦ
|Abbreviation=Delta Sig
|Founded=[[1899]] at [[City College]]
|Chap Type=Beta
|Chap Founded=[[1902]]
|Motto="Better Men, Better Lives"
|Symbol=Sphinx
|House=531 W. 113th
|Gov Board=[[Interfraternal Council|IFC]]
|Contact=deltasig@columbia.edu}}

'''Delta Sigma Phi''', Beta chapter, is one of the [[:Category:Fraternities|fraternities]] recognized by the Interfraternity Council. The chapter currently occupies occupies a brownstone at 113th St. The fraternity more commonly goes by its nickname '''Delta Sig'''or '''DSig'''. 

In spring 2012 the chapter earned a 5 star ALPHA Standards of Excellence rating and earned the '''Outstanding Interfraternity Council Chapter''' award from the Inter Greek Council. 

The chapter also earned achievement awards in philanthropy (presented to chapters that raise over $60 per member), community service (presented to chapters that complete over 20 service hours per member), academics (presented to chapters that have an average GPA above 3.4), and campus involvement (presented to chapters where over 60% are involved in another campus activity.) 

These were all of the awards that chapters could possibly receive that year. 

In spring 2013 Delta Sig earned a 3 star [[ALPHA Standards of Excellence]] rating and raised over $1,000 for [[Relay for Life]]. The chapter also raised $1,175 for [[Relay for Life]] in spring 2012.

==Service & Philanthropy== 
The Fraternity has adopted the American Red Cross as its national philanthropy. Members are urged to support the endeavors of the non-profit and raise funds.  During the Spring semester we host a date auction and all money raised is donated to support the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation. 

==About Delta Sig==
The Columbia chapter of Delta Sig is the Beta Chapter, the second chapter of Delta Sig.  Although the chapter, founded in 1902, was inactive for most of the [[:Category:20th century|20th century]], it was reestablished at Columbia in [[2001]].

== Membership ==
Delta Sig is "one of the few (if not only) fraternities not implicitly affiliated with a sports team, with the possible exception of [[Beta]]. Brothers are, however, heavily involved in extracurricular activities; they are heavily represented in the Economic and Political Science societies, with many members writing for the CPR, the Helvidius society, and the Columbia Economics society. Their members also participate in a number of a-capella groups, such as Sharp and Uptown Vocal, and include many musicians. The members of Delta Sig at Columbia were also featured in the Style section of GQ, where they wore snooty blazers and bro-ed out."

Their membership is "fairly large (about 80-85 members at any given time). They have received a reputation of accepting largely prep school kids, though Delta Sigs deny this as a defining trait of membership."

In the Greek world, "Delta Sig is close to all the sororities but is closest to [[Delta Gamma|DG]] and [[Delta Sigma Theta|Theta]]."

The fraternity "consistently holds executive positions in the InterFraternity Council and Judicial Board, helping to shape Greek formals and mediate the "War on Fun"."

== Tradition ==
The fraternity of course has its secret rituals, signs, and symbols, and yet the chapter has established a few other unique ones. Beer Olympics, Alumni Beer & Wings, and Alumni Breakfast at [[Homecoming]] are a few ways for alumni to participate. The fraternity also plans ski trips to Killington and occasionally Vancouver. Members generally participate in an annual or semesterly pong tournament, casino night, and sorority dinner night. Members throw a New Years Eve party, with the host location varying year to year. Other traditions include DG-Delta Sig intramural soccer or volleyball.

== Events ==
Parties that kick off the new fall semester include the annual Green Party, Around the World, and mixers with each sorority. Pledges also plan an event; past pledge events have included secret crush parties. More recently, Delta Sig has co-hosted events with charities, corporations, TV/film, and energy drink companies. Delta Sig has also worked with neighborhood business owners to negotiate additional spaces for students aside from neighborhood staples like the Pourhouse-Canons-1020-Heights of MoHi. These locations have included: Mona ([[Pourhouse|Pourhouse's]] precursor, closed [[2006]]), Village Pourhouse (better suited to unoffical events), [[Il Cibreo]] (shortly after [[Pertutti]], [[Campo|Campo's]] precursor, closed), [[Vareli]] (parties there are financially agreeable, but better suited to private events), and more recently, [[Mel's Burger Bar]]. 

Its main campus philanthropic contributions include fundraising for [[CCO]] and [[Relay for Life]]. The fraternity holds "one of the best fundraisers for CU [[Dance Marathon]]," which is the annual Date Auction held in [[Roone Arledge]].

== Real Estate Controversy == 
There was some speculation that the fraternity acquired its current home on 113th street due to the connections its members had with Columbia. Zeta Psi had been kicked out of the house by Columbia because of falling membership and improper maintenance of facilities, and nine applications, including Alpha Chi Omega, were sent in for review. It is alleged that Josh Milstein (DSP '10) and Jeff Witten (DSP '10), whose fathers are [[Trustees]] of the university, and whose families have made substantial contributions to Columbia, had some play in Delta Sig's real estate coup.<ref>http://bwog.com/2008/02/01/keepin-it-real-estate-part-two/</ref>  At the time, it seemed miraculous that a brownstone would become available.<ref>http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2008/02/19/housing-shortage-irks-frats-sororities</ref>

==External Links==
*[http://blogs.cuit.columbia.edu/cugreeklife/ Columbia Greek Life Website]

==References==
<references/>

{{Greek}}

[[Category:Fraternities]]