Delta Sigma Phi

Delta Sigma Phi
ΔΣΦ
Abbreviation:	Delta Sig
Org Founded:	1899 at City College
CU Chapter:	Beta
Chapter Established:	1902
Motto:	"Better Men, Better Lives"
Symbol(s):	Sphinx
House:	531 W. 113th
Recognition:	IFC
Contact:	deltasig@columbia.edu

Delta Sigma Phi, known simply as Delta Sig, is a fraternity with a brownstone at 531 W. 113th Street. 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 20th century, it was reestablished at Columbia in 2001.

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. At the time, it seemed miraculous that a brownstone would become available.

Membership

Delta Sig is not associated with any particular sport, though members in the past have been associated with and highly successful in fencing, soccer, golf, tennis, football, and crew as well as club sports sailing and rugby. Brothers are heavily involved in extracurricular activities from participating in the Louis Armstrong Jazz Program to starting new companies. The fraternity was featured in GQ Magazine, in which brothers wore snooty blazers, looked like suave academics, and bro-ed out.

Their membership is fairly large (perhaps the largest on campus). They have received a reputation of accepting New York and prep school kids, although 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 DG and 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". In the fraternity beer pong league, Delta Sig consistently wins the championship tournament.

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's precursor, closed 2006), Village Pourhouse (better suited to unoffical events), Il Cibreo (shortly after Pertutti, 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.