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Delta Tau Delta (Syracuse University Chapter) Collection

An inventory of its collection at the Syracuse University Archives


Finding aid created by: Anna Smallwood
Date: 2016

Historical Note

Photograph of Delta Tau Delta House in 1967

The Gamma Omicron Chapter of Delta Tau Delta was formally established at Syracuse University in 1910. However, the fraternity’s history at the University begins in 1903, when a group of students formed Syracuse University's Theta Chapter of Sinfonia (now Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia), a musical fraternity. Over the following years, the Theta Chapter began admitting students who were not studying music and began to operate as a general social fraternity. As a result of this change, the group detached itself from Sinfonia and sought out a national Greek letter society that better fit the needs of their organization. In 1909, they petitioned Delta Tau Delta for a charter, which was granted in 1910, officially founding the fraternity's Gamma Omicron Chapter at Syracuse University.

In 2017, the Gamma Omicron Chapter was suspended for violations of school and national fraternity policies. The fraternity’s charter was reinstated in 2023. As of 2025, The Gamma Omicron Chapter of Delta Tau Delta resides at 801 Walnut Avenue.

This collection contains materials that users may find objectionable due to racist, sexist, and homophobic language. The language contained in this collection was conventional at the time of its creation, though no less harmful and inaccurate than it is today. This collection is preserved and presented for its historic and research value.

Scope and Content Note

The Delta Tau Delta (Syracuse University Chapter) Collection includes scrapbooks, an alumni record, guest books, meeting minutes, and other materials related to the fraternity spanning from 1907 to 1982. Also present are programs from Karnea, Delta Tau Delta's national convention. The collection also includes correspondence pertaining to the Theta Chapter of Sinfonia, Delta Tau Delta's predecessor organization, as well as correspondence and a petition requesting that the fraternity be granted a charter from Delta Tau Delta's national governing body.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

One scrapbook was separated to form its own collection, the Ray M. Clark Scrapbook.

One photograph of the 1923 men's basketball team was separated and placed in the Syracuse University Photograph Collection.

More information on the Gamma Omicron chapter of Delta Tau Delta at Syracuse University can be found in the Syracuse University Clipping Files, the Syracuse University Photograph Collection, and the Syracuse University Yearbook Collection.

Selected Search Terms

Names

Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.

Subjects

Greek letter societies.
Higher education.

Types of Material

Correspondence.
Dance cards.
Memorabilia.
Minute books.
Photographs.
Scrapbooks.
Visitors' books.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Delta Tau Delta (Syracuse University Chapter) Collection,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Gift of the Gamma Omicron Chapter of Delta Tau Delta in 1982. Additional materials gift of Craig Scholl in 2024.

Processing Information

Materials were placed in acid-free folders in an acid-free box. Plastic enclosures in scrapbook were removed for preservation.

Arrangement

Materials are arranged in alphabetical order.

Table of Contents

Delta Tau Delta materials

Inventory