Zeta Psi: Difference between revisions

| crest = [[File:Zeta_Psi_Coat_of_Arms.png|250px]]

| address = 15 South Henry St

| city = [[Pearl River, New York|Pearl River]]

| state = [[New York (state)|New York]]

| country = USA

At the outbreak of war, the Upsilon chapter at UNC— only chartered three years before—found itself the only chapter of Zeta Psi among all the Southern states, sundered from the North by the sudden lines of enmity. But even as they mustered for war and marched south, the Grand Chapter of Zeta Psi, specially assembled in early July 1862, adopted the resolution of Brother William Cooke (Φ '58) prescribing unity:

And the brothers of Upsilon replied by letter in like fashion:

Nor was the brotherhood among Zetes limited to mere words; the moving tale of Brother Henry Schwerin (Θ '63) illustrates the embodiment of love even in the most trying of circumstance. Schwerin lay gravely wounded after the bloody [[Third Battle of Chattanooga|Battle of Chattanooga]]; pinned on the breast of his Union uniform was the badge of Zeta Psi. A passing [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] soldier, also a Zete, spied the badge and carried the invalid to medical care and safety, ignoring even the imperatives of war for the sake of his brother. The worthy badge later passed into the hands of his brother, Max Schwerin (Θ '70), who would one day serve as international president. After his death, it was donated by his sister to the Fraternity's archives and remains among its treasures. Brother John Day Smith (Ε '72) witnessed the incident on the Chattanooga field, and later related it to Brother [[Francis Lawton]] (Ε '69), who would author the poem "The Badge of Zeta Psi," later set to original music and preserved to this day. The reference to "Chattanooga's bloody field" is not idle hyperbole, but the recollection of a rare triumph among such sorrows.

And amid this sorrow and heroism where so many brothers of Zeta Psi perished, so too were even whole chapters swallowed by the War. The Eta ([[Gettysburg, Pennsylvania]], chartered 1861), Psi Epsilon (Dartmouth), Upsilon (UNC), Epsilon (Brown), and Theta (Union) chapters had vanished by the end of the conflict, decimated by fallen brothers or disheartened campuses returning from the shadow of death. The Theta and Eta chapters would never survive the staggering losses they suffered, though the others ultimately recovered and reactivated. And the Gamma chapter—chartered 1861 at the [[Georgia Military Institute]], the only new chapter during the War—was annihilated utterly by [[General Sherman]]'s march, and existed thus only for those few years of tumult. But out of the shadow of war came regrowth and a time for Zeta Psi to expand once more.

The nation was still young indeed even after the end of the Civil War: [[California]] had only recently become a State, committing to the side of the victorious Union and contributing its men though the conflict took place mainly across the continent, thousands of miles away. It was then only fitting that to California the Fraternities should next have moved. Pioneers in many initiatives, Zeta Psi was the first fraternity west of the Mississippi river and hence also the first to establish a chapter on the West Coast: in 1870 it established the Iota chapter at the [[University of California, Berkeley]]. (Though the Iota chapter would not be joined until 1892 by the next addition, the Mu chapter at [[Stanford University]]).<ref name="Baird-p398-400">{{cite book | title = Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities | publisher = [[James T. Brown]] | year = 1920 | location = New York, NY, USA | pages = 398–400}}</ref>

Nor was Zeta Psi content even to remain a national Fraternity, but also pressed northward into Canada. The brothers of the Xi chapter at the [[University of Michigan]] in 1879 constituted the Theta Xi chapter at the University of Toronto, to make Zeta Psi the first international Fraternity. Since then, Zeta Psi has actively bolstered its Canadian presence, commissioning a director solely for Canadian chapter development and amassing a long list of successful chapters there.

In short, Brother Comstock criticized the degree of individualism among the chapters of Zeta Psi, demanding unity among such disparate brothers. He prescribed that every member should receive the fledgling Circle of Zeta Psi, and thus be apprised of the far-flung doings of the fraternity; that a general secretary be commissioned to travel among the chapters and treat with them; and that a foundation be established for the pecuniary support of the general Fraternity. And all three of his mandates have been amply fulfilled: The Circle is still published and distributed to the brothers of Zeta Psi (and can be read online here); now the General Secretary is assisted in his rounds by chapter consultants, whose function remains the same; and the Zeta Psi Educational Foundation was to be instituted within Brother Comstock's lifetime, though still in the future. Before Zeta Psi could turn to such collegiate concerns, war again threatened, this time abroad.

With the first Canadian chapter only founded at Toronto in 1879, her sister chapters were still young when war came to them. Particularly stricken were the Alpha Psi and Theta Xi chapters at McGill and U Toronto. Even in 1914, they were already sending letters indicating their brothers heading east across the sea to the war. In 1915, more than half the workers at the McGill Base Hospital were Zetes from Alpha Psi. By war's end, the two beleaguered chapters had sent two hundred of the brothers in defense of King and Country, 31 did not return and many others came home wounded in body and spirit.

Finally in 1917, America entered the war, and with their country, so too did the many Zetes who called that land their home. At the annual convention of Zeta Psi, the brothers adopted a resolution in support of the war—which the United States Congress had itself only declared a few weeks previously—:

Nor was the pledge mere idle words nor fatuous boasting. Over one quarter of all brethren of Zeta Psi would serve during the First World War in foreign lands, and many did not return. Zeta Psi also provided the nation its first Assistant Secretary of War, Brother [[Benedict Crowell]] (Η '91),<ref>http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/benedict-crowell.htm Benedict Crowell graduated from Yale (Eta) in 1891 not Case Western Reserve (Nu) in 1892 according to the Arlington National Cemetery website.</ref> noted for his bold reorganization of civilian military control during World War I. Even after the war, Crowell remained politically powerful, and was later instrumental in engineering the repeal of [[National Prohibition]].

The official colors of the fraternity are white and gold,<ref name="Baird-p402">{{cite book | title = Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities | publisher = [[James T. Brown]] | year = 1920 | location = New York, NY, USA | pages = 402}}</ref><ref name="DirZY1926" /> the unofficial secondary color is black.

Each chapter of Zeta Psi chooses at its founding a patron saint to represent the chapter. There is no particular criteria for a chapter patron saint, other than the chosen figure must have some historical significance either to the chapter or the chapter's respective locality.<ref name="SOZP-p695">{{cite book | title = The Story of Zeta Psi | publisher = Trustees of the Zeta Psi Fraternity | date = 1928 | location = New York, NY, USA | pages = 695}}</ref> The patron saints are as follows:

| New York University || Phi || [[John Marshall]]

| Williams College || Zeta || [[Mark Hopkins (educator)|Mark Hopkins]]

| Rutgers University || Delta || [[Benjamin Franklin]]

| University of Pennsylvania || Sigma || [[Robert Morris (financier)|Robert Morris]]

| Colby College || Chi || [[Nelson Dingley, Jr.|Nelson Dingley]]

| Brown University || Epsilon || [[Roger Williams]]

| Dartmouth College || Psi Epsilon || [[Salmon P. Chase]]

| Tufts University || Kappa || [[Paul Revere]]

| Lafayette College || Tau || [[Marquis de Lafayette]]

| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill || Upsilon || [[Augustus Van Wyck]]

| University of Michigan || Xi || [[Henry Clay]]

| Bowdoin College || Lambda || [[James Bowdoin]]

| University of Virginia || Beta || [[Thomas Jefferson]]

| Cornell University || Psi || [[Theodore Roosevelt]]

| University of California, Berkeley || Iota || [[Meriwether Lewis]]

| Syracuse University || Gamma || [[Philip Schuyler]]

| University of Toronto || Theta Xi || ''No patron saint designated.''

| Columbia University || Alpha || [[Alexander Hamilton]]

| McGill University || Alpha Psi || [[James Wolfe]]

| Case Western Reserve University || Nu || [[William Henry Harrison]]

| Yale University || Eta || [[Nathan Hale]]

| Stanford University || Mu || [[Leland Stanford]]

| University of Minnesota || Alpha Beta || [[George Rogers Clark]]

| University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign || Alpha Epsilon || [[Abraham Lincoln]]

| University of Wisconsin || Lambda Psi || [[James Madison]]

| University of Washington || Phi Lambda || [[George Washington]]

| University of Manitoba || Pi Epsilon || [[Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk|Lord Selkirk]]

First published in 1859, with two later editions in 1867 and 1883, the ''Catalogue of the Zeta Psi Fraternity'' contained names of members of the Fraternity arranged by chapters and years of initiation. In 1874, the ''Addenda to the Catalogue of the Zeta Psi Fraternity 1867-1874'' was published to complement the 1867 edition of the ''Catalogue of the Zeta Psi Fraternity.''<ref name="SEMCENBICAT">{{cite book | title = Semicentennial Biographical Catalogue of the Zeta Psi Fraternity of North America | publisher = Zeta Psi |date = December 1899| location = New York, NY, USA | pages = 913–914}}</ref><ref name="Baird-p401">{{cite book | title = Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities | publisher = [[James T. Brown]] | year = 1920 | location = New York, NY, USA | pages = 401}}</ref> In 1888, the title was changed to the ''Directory of the Zeta Psi Fraternity'' and contact information was added for members of the Fraternity. Later editions of The Directory were produced in 1889, 1893, 1910, 1912, 1913, 1916, 1922, 1926, 1932, 1953, 1987, 1992, and 1998. Notably in 1899, the ''Semicentennial Biographical Catalogue of the Zeta Psi Fraternity of North America'' was published. This volume contained biographies of over 4000 members of Zeta Psi from 1847 to 1900 and historical information about each chapter. The Directory continues to be published on a regular basis and the modern version is a useful networking tool for members of the Zeta Psi Fraternity.<ref name="DirZY1926">{{cite book | title = Directory of the Zeta Psi Fraternity of North America | publisher = Trustees of the Zeta Psi Fraternity |date = 1926| location = New York, NY, USA | pages = v, l-liii}}</ref><ref name="SEMCENBICAT" /><ref name="Baird-p401" /><ref name="DUBDIA" />

First published in 1871, by undergraduate members of the Psi Chapter at Cornell University, ''Songs of the Zeta Psi Fraternity'' contains a collection of songs about the Zeta Psi Fraternity. Later editions appeared in 1890, 1897, 1903, 1914, and 1958. ''The Chapter'', a brief compilation of poems, was also written by members of the Zeta Psi Fraternity in 1869.<ref name="SEMCENBICAT" />

<ref name="Baird-p401" /><ref name="CHAP">{{cite book | title = The Chapter | publisher = [[W. C. Rogers &. Co. Stationers and Printers]] | year = 1869 | location = New York, NY, USA | pages = 2–3}}</ref>

Published in 1903, ''The Jubilee of the Zeta Psi Fraternity of North America'' is a record of the fiftieth anniversary of the Zeta Psi Fraternity. Likewise, ''The Double Diamond Jubilee of the Zeta Psi Fraternity of North America'' published in 1997 was an account of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Zeta Psi Fraternity, made to complement ''The Story of Zeta Psi''. Both volumes include historical information on the fraternity and its chapters.<ref name="Baird-p401" /><ref name="DUBDIA">{{cite book | title = Zeta Psi Fraternity of North America: Double Diamond Jubilee | publisher = [[Turner Publishing Company]] | year = 1997 | location = Paducah, KY, USA}}</ref><ref name="JUBZETA">{{cite book | title = The Jubilee of the Zeta Psi Fraternity of North America | publisher = Zeta Psi | year = 1903 | location = New York, NY, USA}}</ref>

First published in June 1909, ''The Circle'' is annual publication of the fraternity. The corresponding secretary has the duty of filing a report for ''The Circle'' every year. The Circle was preceded by other periodic publications that were unsuccessful. These publications were "The Zeta Psi Monthly" published in 1883; "The Zeta Psi Quarterly" published from 1884 to 1886; and "The Bulletin of the Zeta Psi Fraternity of North America" first published in 1897.<ref name="DirZY1926" /><ref name="SEMCENBICAT" /><ref name="Baird-p401" />

Zeta Psi, like all conventional university fraternities, operates as chapters at various campuses across North America and the world. Zeta Psi has chapters in five countries: Canada, the United States, Scotland, England and Ireland.

Zeta Psi is modeled after most modern democracies in that they have [[legislative]], [[judicial]], and [[Executive (government)|executive]] branches of governance.

Each chapter in Zeta Psi has a unique name composed of one or two Greek letters. A petitioning colony that receives a charter chooses a name for their chapter. From this point on, the name is fixed. Even if the chapter goes inactive—in that it has no undergraduate members—the name will be taken up by any group that re-establishes a chapter at the university campus.

The name can be based on many different factors. For instance, it is common for new chapters to take on an element from an existent chapter that has helped them form. Theta Xi in [[Toronto]] adopted the Xi from their neighbor chapter in [[Michigan]], and in turn chapters in [[Ontario]] started adding "Theta" as part of their name from their relationship to the Toronto chapter. There are now many chapters in Ontario and there is no pre-requisite to have a Theta in the name. Other times, a name is related to other factors like the Roman Catholic [[Villanova University]] chapter being named Alpha Omega due to the [[Alpha and Omega|Christian significance]].

A one or two letter name can only be re-used if the chapter possessing the name is pronounced "deceased." This has not happened since 1892.

* Phi - Φ - Elder [[President]]

* Alpha Phi - ΑΦ - Elder [[Vice-president]]

* Sigma - Σ - Elder [[Secretary]]

* Gamma - Γ - Elder [[Treasurer]]

* Delta - Δ - Elder [[historian]]

The Supreme Council is the chapter's only judicial body. It has authority to rule on almost any matter and its proceedings. It may hear appeals and rule on matter from the active supreme council. It is composed of all the elder officers and at least three elected members-at-large.

Geographical associations are similar to elder chapters, in that they are composed of alumni and have a vote at Grand Chapter. However, they are larger scope and have no active affiliation. Geographical associations mostly base their membership on alumni living in a metropolitan area.

*Zeta Psi Washington, D.C. Elders Association

*Zeta Psi Chicago Alumni Club

*Zeta Psi Boston Alumni Club

*Zeta Psi Arizona Alumni Club

*Houston Association of Zeta Psi

*Southern California Association of Zeta Psi Alumni

*Zeta Psi Alumni Association of Greater Pittsburgh

*Zeta Psi Elders Association of Toronto

*Zeta Psi Alumni of Cleveland

*Zeta Psi of Texas

* Phi Alpha - ΦΑ - [[President]] and executive head

* Alpha Phi Alpha - ΑΦΑ - [[Vice-president]]

* Sigma Alpha - ΣΑ - [[Secretary]]

* Gamma Alpha - ΓΑ - [[Treasurer]] and fiscal officer

* Delta Alpha - ΔΑ - Fraternity [[historian]]

===== Executive Committee =====

The executive committee is constituted as follows : "Phi Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Sigma Alpha, Gamma Alpha, Delta Alpha, and six representatives duly elected at large from the Fraternity for one year terms." In addition one member, but no more than two, must be members of an active chapter.

*[[List of social fraternities and sororities]]

== Notes ==

{{reflist}}

{{North-American Interfraternity Conference}}

[[Category:North-American Interfraternity Conference]]