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Growing Up on College Hill

LarryClark — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:21:48 GMT

LarryClark:

'''''Marge Muir’s memories of her childhood during the 30s and 40s'''''

''August 2009 - from [http://www.wsu.edu/hdrl/Greek/greek.htm Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life]''[http://www.wsu.edu/hdrl/Greek/greek.htm ]

[[Image:Sorority members receiving mail 1930s.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Sorority members getting mail in the 1930s.]]College Hill and the Greek neighborhood has been an important part of my life growing up in Pullman. Precious memories. During my pre-school years, we lived on Oak Street. Living on Monroe Street, a half block from Madison School (now Adams Mall) and the Kappa Alpha Theta house where my sister was a member, was convenient during the elementary school years. For a few Junior High years we lived on Linden Street next door to the Chi Omegas. When I attended college, the Theta house was my home. As an Alumna living in Pullman and serving over forty years on the Facility and Advisory Boards, observing what was happening to Greek life and their housing has been a continuing concern. The changes have been interesting to watch.

A part of our lives as children was just being around and watching the college students at work and play. As children we felt very safe in their neighborhood.

Most students did not have cars. A few farm boys and a few city men would have vehicles in various stages of repair. Parents often brought their children. Many arrived with their trunks on the trains from Seattle and Spokane. When students came or left it was often within hours of each other. You could feel the change in Pullman as the town emptied, especially within the Friday afternoons before breaks.

The Kappa Sigma house is an example of how the Greek houses have changed. I can still remember their house when it was the white Lafollette turn-of-the-century Victorian home. There was still a carriage house or barn out back. Our Thetas lived in the Lafollette house during their early years until they built their present house in 1923. The Kappa Sigs then moved into the house. The house was remodeled to have a modern 1930s look. Later it was torn down and then their present Kappa Sig house was built.

I have a personal feeling for many of the Greek houses. My father was architect during the late 1920s for a number of the present houses—Alpha Tau Omega, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Delta Pi, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and the former Sigma Chi façade.

During the 30s and 40s, all the WSC students lived “on campus” either in Greek houses or in the dorms. Apartment and married student housing came after the War years. During their four years, most dorm students were as loyal to their dorm as the Greek members were to their chapters.

Usually all women, adults and college women, were treated with dignity and respect in those days. Not so true today. Good manners and etiquette were skills the college students expected to develop during their college years. The Thursday night and Sunday Dress Dinners were important. Usually there would be a pianist playing while the members gathered for dinner or chapter. On chapter meeting nights, members dressed appropriately.

Every Greek house planned to hold at least one Formal Dance each year. Preparing theme decorations were an important part of the anticipation for the event.

Often each living group would hold one or two formal teas or musicales for WSC faculty and staff, city dignitaries, and alums. Because of these experiences and Rush conversations, by their graduation time most Greek members had acquired the poise of conversation and general etiquette which was useful for their entire lives. It opened doors for them later in business.

All the Greek houses, both fraternities and sororities, took good care of their properties. There was no trash or beer bottles left around. At the end of the school year though, we children might check the outgoing trash containers for unused notebooks, pens, and such.

[[Image:Sorority dinner 1920s.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Sorority dinner in the 1920s. MASC]]The socializing pattern of the Greeks and the dorm students handled beer drinking in a predictable way. Alcohol was not a visible part of college life for most students, especially the women. Dating was a coke at the Cougar Cottage or the Bookie. Women were in by 10:30 on week nights, but 1 o’clock on Friday and Saturday. The Wednesday night Exchanges were for dancing and chatting, not rowdy “partying”. All the chapter members participated, not just the freshman pledges. This was often where you met your future husband or wife.

Evening Library dates were very special. Have a coke at the Coug on the way home. A quick hug or kiss in the shade from the front house light. Back home by curfew.

In the 30s and 40s, the hormones were running as actively as they do today. Every woman hoped that she would meet the man of her dreams before graduating. The lyrics for one fun song went “Fussing in the parlor on our chapter’s davenport. Fussin’ in the parlor is our favorite indoor sport. When the lights are all turned low……” When the WSC directory came into service, it was named the Fusser’s Guide. Of course for faculty and town’s people it was a quick way to find someone. But, for the students it was their way to find out about one another and especially to find that girl or fellow they wanted to be “fussing” with.

This was a sweetly romantic era. The music was Big Band….sentimental music meant for dancing….and cuddling. The engagement announcements usually were held during dress dinner or an evening fireside. Much excited guessing as to who was engaged. Spring was a busy season among the seniors. Often a nosegay with the ring attached would be passed until it finally stopped at the girl making the announcement. As a first-grader little sister who had learned “The Frog He Would A-Courtin’ Go” in school, I sometimes had the privilege of singing the song, with lyrics appropriately written, to announce an engagement at the Theta house. Usually within hours of the grand announcement, the fellow’s fraternity would come and serenade and the sorority girls answer back in song. The songs were all lovely and romantic. Every sorority wanted a balcony for responding to serenades….and for sun bathing.

[[Image:AlphaDeltaPi 1930s formalwear.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Alpha Delta Pi members in formalwear, 1930s. MASC]]The 10:30 curfew for women was very helpful for all campus living groups. It provided a predictable time when every member would be in the house and available for a half hour of song practice, firesides, meetings, guest speakers, whatever.

The building of floats and the house decorations for Homecoming were exciting to stand around and watch develop. Then when they were all done there was the tour with your family to see all the decorations. For the college members, the activity was a great opportunity to be creative and work together....and socialize. Today these same energies seem to focus on philanthropy sport events.

Despite the Depression and WW II, life for a child on College Hill in Pullman was delightful and busy. We entertained ourselves and found joy in simple things—the evening sounds in the summer of sprinklers running, wood screen doors slamming, and a large group of children of all ages playing Kick the Can together in front of our house at the top of Monroe Street Hill. Especially exciting was the “all-ee, all-ee, all-ee in free” which meant that President Holland had arrived with his box of candy sticks—a long one for each of us.

The Pullman hills did not make bike riding very successful for the younger children, but roller skating was popular among the girls. The recently remodeled Kappa Sigma house had a long wrap-around concrete porch that gave a very smooth ride. Campus sidewalks and buildings were also popular.

Don’s Midway Grocery, Ozzie Anderson’s Store, and Mr. Stone’s Ice Cream Shop were important on-campus sources for snacks and supplies. Of course there was the Bookie, too. The Bookie carried all the books, art supplies, and some WSU clothing. They also had the booths and counter for cokes and such. It was Don’s Midway that was open after curfew and carried additional items that the fraternity boys might want. We children would slowly select from Don’s wonderful display of “penny candy”. Coke dating happened at the Bookie during the day or at the Cougar Cottage in the evening.

Pullman winters were colder and snowier in those days. There were great sledding hills. Monroe Street Hill gave a fast steep run. B Street had the long curve and gave a longer ride, but not as steep or fast. Van Doren Hill was the safest hill to ride. As with their bicycles, children had to be careful to not leave their sleds out on their porches at night. College students tended to “borrow” them. Most were returned in good condition. Dorm students usually used the trays from their WSC dining rooms for those snowy nights. Ice skating was arranged at the play field beside the WSC Field House by Shorty Siever.

Movies were popular with everybody in town. The evening walks to and from the movies were an important part of the dating process. Dress dinners for all the women students was on Thursday nights and Sunday noon. Many would go down to the movie matinee after the Sunday dress dinners. Sometimes we young girls would gather down on Maiden Lane in order to smell the women as they walked by. They used perfume and make-up and they smelled soooo good.

When it was warm in the spring, the Greek men would be out playing basketball or washing their cars. The girls would be sun-bathing and hoping to not be ignored. Some of the sororities even had sun decks.

Every spring there was a predictable, and looked forward to, happening—The Water Fight! We children loved to watch this exciting event. Even today, I still get that special feeling in the air during some warm night in April, a spring fever type of feeling. Sure enough a water fight would begin somewhere, often at Stimson Hall or one of the fraternities. The bucket brigade and hoses would then pass from fraternity to fraternity all evening. Great sport! Later it became panty raids. When we recently had the “Riot” on Colorado Street, I had commented that morning that it felt like a “water fight days”. The riot did not totally surprise me. It must be something in the barometric pressure.

As a pre-schooler I was eligible for the White Hall Home Ec kindergarten. They had great play equipment and toys. I particularly enjoyed the fact that the college girls pretty much had to let us do what we wanted which included pushing me on the swing as long as I wanted!

Electronic technology has changed the life for today’s WSU Greek students. TV takes up time and attention and requires no conversation. With the cell phone, many of the students have lost their gracious phone and hosting skills. Today he phones the girl and she meet him at the door. No need to even ring the bell. House phone rarely ring these days so few members feel responsible to answer the phone.

Smoking was a part of campus social life. Most houses had a room reserved for the smokers. Keggers are a recent phenomenon. Most students were on tight budgets and did not have the funds for extensive alcohol use. Those men who went to the local bars would usually go after the women were in for curfew. Going to Idaho required the availability of a car which most did not have.

Life was simpler at WSC back in the 30s and 40s. Greeks were active in all the campus organizations. They were recognized for the leadership skills they had developed. They were respected for their dd poise with manners and etiquette which were now second nature to them. The Greeks in those years were role models to look up to and to emulate.

[[Category:Sorority]] [[Category:Greek_Life]] [[Category:Campus_Life]] [[Category:Pullman]]

Memories of Rush 1963

LarryClark — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:30:04 GMT

LarryClark:

''by Gail Tustin Bacon''

[[Image:DeltaGamma-rush-1963.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Delta Gamma rush, 1963. MASC]]I was just one of hundreds of girls going through Rush in September of 1963. We were housed in the Streit-Perham dorms for the week getting to know each other, consoling those who didn't get invited back to a favorite house, and trying not to be homesick. The last day came, and we made our choices to attend Final Lunch and Final Dinner. These two events marked the end of a very anxious week. Now we would decide, and the sororities would decide, how all of this would play out.

After final dinner, we went back to the dorms and indicated our first and second choices hoping that somehow they wanted us too! The next day we received our bids and went joyfully to the sorority houses to become pledges. Fraternity members were on hand to help us go to our new campus homes. It's all somewhat of a blur now through the excitement of the time and the span of years since.

During those years, pledges had house duties to perform and study hours to meet. We had a rec room in the basement of the Alpha Phi house where pledges were required to spend three hours each night, Monday through Thursday, studying. An upper classman was always in attendance to proctor study table. On weekends, we turned in a tabulation of study hours to the Scholarship Chairman. This was a great exercise for me, for without that structure, I probably would not have been as disciplined during the remaining three years of college.

Sorority members were not allowed to wear casual clothes to campus. Even in the blinding snow, no slacks were allowed! On Saturdays and Sundays we could wear nice slacks, but jeans were unheard of! We followed strict rules from our sorority and had to adhere to a curfew. Kissing our dates goodnight in front of the houses was forbidden.

Even with the rules, we still managed to have lots of fun. The sororities and fraternities had social gatherings such as exchanges and parties, and each house hosted at least one dance during the year. The CUB and Coug were favorite places to go for enjoyment. The CUB (Student Union) was always busy between classes....coke dates, bridge games, and fast food lured the students away from the library. Pledges were to remain in the library between classes as they had to attain a certain grade point to be initiated. If a pledge didn't make grades during the two semesters, she was not initiated. Once a member, a Greek felt liberated!

I imagine this description of fraternity life sounds extremely restrictive by today's standards, but I feel we became more prepared for the "outside" world, both socially and scholastically than if we had been in a more liberal climate. While I resented some of the strict policies, I will always remember Greek life at WSU as one of the most rewarding times of my life. To this day, I have a strong bond with many of the members from those years.

[[Category:Sororities]] [[Category:Greek_Life]] [[Category:Campus_Life]]

A Century of Greek Life at WSU

LarryClark — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:19:08 GMT

LarryClark:

'''''A brief history of the Greek community at Washington State University'''''

''from [http://www.gogreek.wsu.edu/GreekCentennial/greek.htm Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life] ''

[[Image:Greek row fall.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Students walking on Greek Row with fall trees. 2001. Photo by Robert Hubner.]]What would eventually become Washington State University was founded in 1890 when the state legislature established the land-grant college. The first Board of Regents met that April to begin the work of making a college. George Lilley was appointed as first president in April, 1891. Contracts soon went out for the first few buildings. On January 13, 1892, the Washington Agricultural College and School of Science opened its doors for instruction. Photographs of the campus then do not show lots of trees and grass, but rather lots of open space and dirt. Students, mostly kids fresh from the farm, walked from the Pullman train depot up the hill to start lives different from what their parents knew. Even after Ferry Hall opened in 1892, students sought accommodation in the houses near campus—on College Hill. Spare rooms were rented and boarding houses became gathering places after class.

E.A. Bryan became the third president on July 22, 1893. Instruction in Veterinary Medicine began in 1895. The first graduating class, all seven of them, received their degrees in 1887.

== '''The First Decade of Greek Life''' ==

This first decade of the new century began with new campus buildings and more degree offerings. But the feel of the college was very much that of a small school. The president of the university, E.A. Bryan, gathered all of the students each morning for a talk. At a time when other universities observed a strict separation of students and professors, here they went on wagon rides together. How much the isolation of Pullman brought everyone together can be debated, but not ignored.

Isolation did have one very positive effect on students at the State College of Washington. Since there were not very many students, but much to do between athletics, politics, and activities, people who might have been excluded from participation in more densely populated places were accepted at the state college. Even women. Daisey T. Busby became editor of the campus newspaper in 1904 and supervised a staff of men. Women graduated with science degrees and served on campus committees, but would not take other prominent positions on campus until the 1940’s.

One amazing fact that brought students from everywhere to Pullman was that it was tuition-free. Women and farm kids and children of parents who never expected to go to college could come here and get a quality education.

It is easy to see how a like-minded group of young men found each other and common purpose in founding Kappa Theta, and with the help of the Idaho Chapter of Kappa Sigma, gained their charter as Gamma Mu of Kappa Sigma in February of 1909. The local Ophite fraternity, started in 1906, was on it’s way to becoming the Delta Iota chapter of Sigma Nu. Their charter was granted in March of 1910.

== '''1910-1919''' ==

[[Image:AlphaDeltaPi early1900s.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Alpha Delta Pi sorority members standing on sidewalk in the early 1900s.]]As enrollments increased, more Greek chapters were established and took up residence on Greek Row. Many local clubs chartered as chapters of national fraternities—like the Tolo Club becoming a chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha and the Ophites becoming Sigma Nu. Chapters took up residence in old family homes on Colorado and Linden streets, like the Walter Davis house given to Kappa Sigma.

Women’s groups, still called fraternities at this time, arrived on the scene. Pi Delta Phi formed in 1906 and chartered as Alpha Sigma chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta in 1913. Two other locals became nationally chartered in 1912--local Phi Alpha Epsilon became the Beta chapter of Pi Beta Phi on July 6, 1912 and Theta Kappa local became Upsilon chapter of Alpha Delta Pi on October 5, 1912.

Even then, students had to be persuaded to leave the relative comfort of the dorms for life in chapter houses that might have not been the most luxurious of accommodations. But they were persuaded and membership blossomed. Chapter houses took on more of the feel of homes than dormitories ever could. Greek Row was the center of campus social life. And membership might even help you find a job to pay for college. Many students worked in chapter dining halls and a fellow member might have a connection to someone who might give you a job downtown. Of course, the fissure between Greeks and the rest of campus grew.

== '''The Twenties''' ==

[[Image:Sorority dinner 1920s.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Sorority members sitting down to dinner at long dining room table in th 1920s. MASC]]Expansion continued on Greek Row. As you can see from the timeline on the facing page, sixteen national chartered fraternities and sororities were operating on campus by the end of this decade. These chapters grew out of locally established clubs. Most bought or built homes on California, Colorado, Linden or Ruby streets. (The reader is referred to E.A. Bryan’s ''Historical Sketch of the State College of Washington'' for addresses of these original homes.) As more students became affiliated with these fraternities and sororities, the voting power of Greeks became apparent. Here was a large and growing groups of students who were in touch with each other and involved with campus issues. The cohesiveness of this community far surpassed that of independent students. Mobilizing them to vote turned out to be relatively easy. When leadership was needed, Tau Nu Epsilon stepped in to fill the void.

Tau Nu Epsilon (TNE) at WSC formed in about 1912 or 1913 but didn’t become a power broker in student government until 1920. This was a nationwide, if unofficial, secret organization that had a profound influence on campus politics into the 1920’s. TNE provided a way for fraternities to band together and unite the voting students to elect student body presidents, editors of the Daily Evergreen, and even Homecoming Queens. Members were hand-picked by other members and most people on campus knew nothing of the organization or who it’s members were. Through its leadership, Greek Row dominated campus politics for over a decade.

Edward R. Murrow, 1926-1930, was a member Kappa Sigma at WSC. He honed his speaking skills through classes and debates, and graduated to become one our most famous alumni.

== '''The Thirties''' ==

Student life in the 1920’s and 30’s was dominated by the influence of Dean of Women, Annie M. Fertig. She was considered a tyrant by students of the day. Lambda Chi Alpha held a dance without her approval and was placed on social restriction for the rest of the year. Many rules, like women could not wear red dresses, either issued from the Dean’s office or everyone thought they did. Dean Annie did not write her rules down. This became the chief complaint that lead to the student strike in April of 1936.

The strike was organized in about four days, something made easier by communication on Greek Row. Discussion began there and reached out to dormitories over the weekend. News was provided to the Spokane and Seattle newspapers. An estimated 3,000 to 3,500 students (nearly the entire student body) marched on Bryan Hall on May 5. Jerry Sage and Robert Yothers, along with half a dozen other students, met with President Holland for several hours to discuss the complaints.

When a disheartened Holland finally agreed to the student’s demands, it was too late on the night of May 6 to call off the strike. On the morning of May 7, pickets went up in front of all campus buildings and were honored by most students. By 4:30 that afternoon, word of the president’s concession was transmitted to students and the strike ended. Dean Annie Fertig and Dean of Men Carl Morrow resigned immediately after the strike. Rules governing student social life were soon published and a committee was established that provided fairer hearings for students. Discontent with the administration’s rules will be a recurring theme in the future.

Only three chapters were chartered in this decade, a marked slowdown from the roaring expansion during the Twenties. But clearly, as the stike organizers knew, Greek Row was still the center of student organization.

== '''The Forties''' ==

The insulation of endless wheat fields was not enough to keep the world events away from WSC. The lasting effects of World War II reshaped campus life. After Pearl Harbor, most men joined the military and left campus. Men did come to Pullman, but as squads of trainees who only stayed four months. The task of carrying on campus traditions was left to women. For the first time, women became campus leaders, editors of the Evergreen, and set the tone for campus life.

After the war, veterans using the GI bill flooded onto campus. Enrollment in 1939 was 4,300. By 1947 it soared to 6,700. Temporary dorms were built to accommodate the new students. The fact that these men were older and had experienced military life meant that the typical treatment of freshmen by seniors would not hold. Any vestiges of the old “hacking” and other forms of hazing died away quickly. Alcohol became a much more common part of student life. Many veterans came to campus with their wives and children. Most professors at the time felt that these men were some of the serious students they had known.

== '''The Fifties''' ==

[[Image:DeltaDeltaDelta 1958.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Tri-Delts taking a break from studies to do a little yard work around the sorority house in 1958. MASC]]Changes in student life that began with the return of soldiers and sailors after the War, continued into the fifties. The presence of cars (and parking problems) helped open the surrounding community to students. In 1952, the CUB opened and took some of the social focus from Greek Row.

But what brought the outside world to isolated Pullman in the biggest way might have been Rock and Roll music. The sing-alongs beside the parlor piano gave way to records and radios and a sound with urban roots. It became the soundtrack of the Korean War and the McCarthy era.

Fraternities and sororities were still a vital part of student life. In many ways, they were havens and bastions of a more conservative way of life. Amidst the rock and roll, house moms ruled and curfews were taken seriously, especially by women. Even so, woman’s place in society was quietly starting to shift—a move that would become more pronounced in the 60’s and 70’s. Alpha Phi’s were in at the beginning of it. While they built their new chapter house in 1955, they lived in one of the dormitories set up for returning GI’s. Men and women living in such proximity brought about discussions of integration—of gender, not race.

== '''The Sixties''' ==

Vietnam War, race riots, footage from campus protests were seen on television nightly news broadcasts—the world was crashing in on Pullman’s isolation. Campus protest marches and rallies coincided with high ROTC enrollment. Anti-war and pro-war editorials sometimes appeared side by side in the ''Evergreen''. Racial tensions ran high on campus and protests melded racial issues with nonunion migrant worker issues and included those protesting the draft.

The influence of Greek Row on campus culture waned. Rule-bound fraternities and sororities were seen as a social liability in the free-wheeling 60’s. No one really wanted to be told what to do. And the idea of coming to school to find a husband was history! Fraternities, especially, still offered the hope of making business connections that would lead to a prosperous future. In a time of chaos and shifting causes, Greek chapters held steady. Alpha Chi Omega built a new chapter house during the sixties, and moved out of the building that is now known as the K House.

== '''The Seventies''' ==

[[Image:Sorority pledging 1968.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Female students pledging to their sororities, 1968. MASC]]Rogers Stadium burned April 4, 1970—attributed to arsonists but no one was ever charged. Agitation on campus reflected the agitation of the day. The killing of students on another college campus mobilized student anger at WSU. After a meeting with student leaders, President Terrell sent a telegram to President Nixon stating that the shooting at Kent State and the Cambodian invasion had “outrage and dismay on the part of a substantial segment of the campus at Washington State University.”

As more students of color came to campus, racism followed them. Several incidents prompted the call of black students for action. Graduation in 1970 brought an end to the student strike against racism on campus. One result of the strike was the Racism Workshop held as students came back to school in the fall of 1970. This workshop gave an opportunity for students on both sides of the divide to learn about each other.

As the decade progressed, the radicalism of the sixties faded and traditions that had been left behind returned to popularity. Gradually, protest marches become more everyday occurrences than shocking calls to action. The tumult and social consciousness of the sixties gave way to more laid-back, pleasure centered campus climate. By the half-way point of the decade, fraternities and sororities were again recruiting more members than their houses could hold. The Coug went back to being a tavern in 1976 and a favorite haunt of those living on Greek Row. Keggers were not uncommon and “The Wheel,” during which groups of sorority women rotated through fraternity parties, was a back-to-school ritual.

== '''The Eighties''' ==

The challenging issue of the 1980’s and the administration of President Sam Smith was alcohol. While the seventies had been a time for keggers and open parties, the administration cracked down on alcohol use in the eighties—with Greek Row being a target. Legal liability became everyone’s concern. Matters came to a head in 1987 when key administrators ordered the disbanding of the IFC Executive Committee after a very raucous party shortly before the start of the school year. Because of the summary nature of the order, non-Greek students rallied to the cause. Just when it looked like another protest march or strike was in the offing, fraternity leaders met with administration officials and together drafted an alcohol-use policy.

All campus activities declined as students focused on their resumes and eventual careers. What had been an outward focus during the fifties and sixties had turned inward. The traditional formal homecoming dance went the way of the frosh beanie. Other dances became informal, except for some fraternity and sorority functions. Sports in general, and intramural sports in particular, brought people together—and still do.

Diversity in the student body accounts for some of the disruption of tradition, too. More and more, students were older, more were graduate students, more were members of a racial minority and more were from distant regions of the country or from another country.

== '''The Nineties''' ==

[[Image:Greek event 2001.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Greeks having fun at community event. 2001. Photo by Shaun Hudson.]]The last decade of the twentieth century was a time of transition for student life at WSU. The technologies that are ubiquitous now, yet so different from before, were only wishes in the 1990’s. But the change was coming. In 1996, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen funded and help build the new Phi Kappa Theta chapter house and created GreekNet that let every chapter house have access to the new internet.

This decade saw an expansion of culturally and ethnically based fraternities and sororities on campus. These chapters do not own chapter houses on Greek Row and tend to have smaller membership numbers than most Greek Row chapters.

Changes were also taking place in how the campus administration related to Greek chapters. In 1998, signing the Fraternal Organization Agreement (FOA) became a requirement. This agreement sets down in writing the expectations of the university and Greek community as expressed by the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council. Over the next several years, grade standards and program attendance were added to the FOA.

== '''2000-2009''' ==

In the spring of 2001, the Office of Greek Life, now the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life, separated from Residence Life and became a stand-alone unit at WSU. This is the only office to deal solely with fraternity and sorority issues. Through close partnering with the Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and United Greek Council, WSU administration, and Greek alumni, the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Lifeis dedicated to strengthening and advancing Greek life at WSU.

[[Image:Greek yard show 2002.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Greek fraternity participates in annual fall Yard Show. 2002. Photo by Shelly Hanks.]]As more ethnically and culturally based groups on campus affiliated with national organizations, it became clear that developing governing councils and bringing them into the advising structure of other Greek organizations would be wise. CFSL staff has been working closely with chapters to develop a National Pan-Hellenic Council to serve the historically African-American chapters and develop a United Greek Council to serve Latina/o and other culturally based chapters.

Developing communication technology is the hallmark of this decade. Cell phones, laptop and smaller computers, social networking sites have changed the landscape of relationships. It also changes the pace at which students relate to other students, staff, administrators, and even parents. Instead of the son writing home once or twice a year, students whip out cell phones to update parents on the results of their latest quiz. Rather than sing-alongs or hay rides, it’s Facebook groups and Twitter. The method of communication changes, but keeping your friends and family close is as important as ever.

== '''Suggestions for Further Reading''' ==

[[Image:Sorority sisters raking leaves 2006.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Sorority sisters raking leaves. 2006. Photo by Robert Hubner.]]Anson, Jack L. and Robert F. Marchesani, Jr., editors. ''Baird’s Manual of American College Fraternities, 20 th Edition.'' Indianapolis: Baird’s Manual Foundation, Inc., 1991.

Bryan, Enoch A. ''Historical Sketch of the State College of Washington, 1890-1925''. Pullman: Alumni Association, 1928.

Fiege, Mark T. “Rebellion in the Palouse: The Student Strike at Washington State University, May 1970,” ''Bunchgrass Historian'' 11.1 (Spring 1983): 14-27.

Frykman, George A. ''Creating the People’s University: Washington State University 1890-1900.'' Pullman: Washington State University Press 1990.

Landeen, William M. ''E. O. Holland and the State College of Washington, 1916-1944.'' Pullman: Washington State University Press, 1958.

Moyers, Bill. ''Listening to America: A Traveler Rediscovers His Country.'' New York: Harper and Row, 1971.

Stapp, Darby, and Julia Longenecker. ''Washington State University Centennial Diggs: Report of 1984-86 Investigations.'' Pullman: Washington Archaeological Research Center, 1986.

Stimson, William. ''Going to Washington State: A Century of Student Life.'' Pullman: Washington State University Press, 1989.

'''Websites to Visit:'''

WSU’s Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections: http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/holland/masc/index.php

Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life’s Centennial Celebration: http://www.gogreek.wsu.edu/GreekCentennial/GreekCentennialMain.html

== '''Founding Dates of Chapters at WSU:''' ==

{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders" width="500"
|- valign="top" align="center"
| width="250" | <center>Fraternities:</center><center>1909 Kappa Sigma 1910 Sigma Nu 1911 Alpha Tau Omega 1912 Sigma Phi Epsilon 1914 Lambda Chi Alpha 1915 Sigma Alpha Epsilon 1918 Phi Delta Theta 1919 Sigma Chi 1920 Beta Theta Pi 1921 Alpha Gamma Rho 1921 Theta Xi 1924 Theta Chi 1926 Phi Sigma Kappa 1927 Alpha Kappa Lambda 1927 Phi Kappa Tau 1927 Tau Kappa Epsilon 1929 Pi Kappa Alpha 1933 Delta Upsilon 1935 Acacia 1943 Delta Chi 1946 Phi Kappa Theta 1949 Delta Sigma Phi 1950 Phi Gamma Delta 1955 FarmHouse 1956 Delta Tau Delta 1975 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 1980 Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 1980 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. 1982 Phi Kappa Sigma 1990 Psi Upsilon 1992 Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. 1993 Omega Phi Omega Inc. 1996 La Hermandad de O eMe Te 1997 Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc. 2004 Pi Kappa Phi 2006 Gamma Iota Omicron Fraternity 2008 Sigma Pi</center>
| <center>'''Sororities:'''</center><center>1912 Alpha Delta Pi 1912 Pi Beta Phi 1913 Kappa Alpha Theta 1916 Alpha Chi Omega 1918 Delta Delta Delta 1919 Delta Zeta 1920 Kappa Kappa Gamma 1921 Sigma Kappa 1923 Alpha Gamma Delta 1923 Chi Omega 1923 Kappa Delta 1926 Alpha Xi Delta 1932 Alpha Omicron Pi 1945 Alpha Phi 1946 Delta Gamma 1955 Gamma Phi Beta 1976 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 1992 Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 1998 Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority, Inc. 1999 Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc. 2007 Chi Delta Sigma Sorority 2008 Alpha Nu Multicultural Sorority</center>
|}

[[Category:Greek_Life]] [[Category:Sororities]] [[Category:Fraternities]] [[Category:Campus_Life]]

Entryway sign linked to university’s early days

LarryClark — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:35:06 GMT

LarryClark:

=== Portals on the past ===

''by Tim Marsh, University Relations''

[http://wsutoday.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=15496&TypeID=1 See a slideshow of historic photos and postcards at WSU Today.]

[[Image:Entrance-arch-2009.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Entrance arch in 2009. Photo by Tim Marsh.]]Many WSU graduates and soon-to-be grads pose for photos next to the sign at the university's main Stadium Way entry in Pullman. But most people don't know the sign has a link to another, much earlier, WSU gateway.

WSU was established in 1890. Its first graduating class was 1897. In 1905, the institution's name changed from the Washington Agricultural College and School of Science to the State College of Washington.

Traveling west today from the entryway sign to the university's walk-in entrance at the east edge of Reaney Park, you can walk up the hill and stop. With Albrook Hydraulics Laboratory on the right and the junction of Oak Street and Administration Walk to the left, you are at the location of the university’s original entrance arch, built of basalt quarried locally.

Sometimes called "Ad Walk's Arch" and described by one WSU publication as a "grand Roman arch," the 36-foot high structure was dedicated in 1905. In 1955, to permit the widening of Oak Street, the arch was removed. The removal was with approval of the Class of 1905, which had funded it as a gift to the alma mater.

While the original arch was reduced to a "pile of rubble" in the winter of 1955-56, according to the 1958 Chinook yearbook, blocks of basalt from it were saved.

[[Image:Entrance-arch-postcard-1909.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Postcard of the WSC arch in 1909. Courtesy Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections.]] Later, apparently during the 1957-58 school year, the Stadium Way entrance sign was created from that rescued basalt. Originally higher than it is today, lettering on the sign included "State College of Washington, serving Washington through Education, Research & Extension."

In 1959, WSC became Washington State University.

While the original arch is gone, it is remembered in a tangible way. In 2003, a three-quarter size replica of the arch was constructed - built of basalt quarried in Oregon - as a gift from the Class of 1947, as part of its 50th reunion celebration, and the Class of 1997. This arch - about 25-feet 8-inches high - is on the walkway behind the WSU president’s house, near the original arch’s location.

''Sources of information for this story include WSU news releases, WSU Chinook, WSU Today, and Moscow Pullman Daily News.''

[[Category:Buildings]] [[Category:Campus Architecture]]