Alpha Delta Phi
Alpha Delta Phi, 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.
Notable alumni
- Ben Stein CC '66
- Thomas Merton CC '37 - Theologian and author
- William R. Grace CC 1900 - W.R. Grace and Company
- Samuel Blatchford CC 1837 - US Supreme Court Justice
