Greek Life has a rich legacy and history at Portland State University. We've included a timeline of Greek Life below, as well as several links to other resources outlining the history of our diverse community.
Historical Timeline of Greek Life at Portland State University: 1945: Beta Psi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is chartered on March 24th. Their service area is compromised of University of Oregon, Portland State University, Western Oregon University, and Oregon State University. 1946: Portland State University opened as the Vanport Extension Center for 220 students in Vanport, a city built to house wartime shipyard workers. 1947: Beta chapter of Delta Tau Rho was the first Greek letter organization to be granted a charter by the student council of Portland State University (then known as Vanport College.) This chapter was affiliated with the Alpha chapter at Lewis & Clark College, which later became Sigma Phi Epsilon. 1948: After surviving a devastating flood that year, PSU moved three times before finding its permanent home in 1952 in the heart of downtown Portland. 1949: Sigma Delta Omega, a local fraternity and Vikes, a local sorority, are founded at and officially recognized by PSU. 1950: ◦ Iota Iota chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity, receives their charter and are officially recognized by PSU on June 3. ◦ Local fraternity Theta Nu, and local sorority Pi Epsilon Pi, created to promote interest in women's sports are founded at and officially recognized by PSU. ◦ Delta Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. is chartered December 9. This chapter extends to most universities in the state of Oregon including University of Oregon, PSU, Willamette, Lewis & Clark, Warner Pacific. 1951: Local sorority Ami Kai is founded at and officially recognized by PSU. 1952: Iota Iota chapter of Alpha Phi Omega went inactive. 1953: ◦ Local fraternity Beta Sigma Rho is founded at and officially recognized by PSU and establishes the first fraternity house right across the street from the school. ◦ Local fraternity Kappa Phi is founded at and officially recognized by PSU. 1954: ◦ Local sorority Chi Gamma is founded at and officially recognized by PSU. ◦ Zeta-Kappa chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon is established as an affiliate. 1956: Local fraternities Tau Kappa and Phi Delta Nu are founded at and officially recognized by PSU. 1957: ◦ Alpha Kappa Delta, a local sorority is founded and officially recognized by PSU. ◦ The Interfraternity Council is founded in May. 1958: ◦ Local fraternity Lambda Phi Epsilon is founded and officially recognized by PSU. ◦ Zeta-Kappa Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon receives its charter May 30. 1959: ◦ On March 26 the members of Vikes, the oldest sorority at PSU, were formally installed as pledges into Alpha Phi Fraternity as members of Gamma Chi chapter. ◦ The members of Tau Kappa Epsilon move into their fraternity house. ◦ The members of Lambda Phi Epsilon receive assistance from a fraternity of the same name at Lewis & Clark College and become the Beta chapter of this organization. Their first pledge class is installed in January. ◦ Alpha Lambda chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, at the time a national music sorority, now a co-ed international professional music fraternity, is installed on November 15 by the national president of the organization. ◦ On May 26, Kappa Epsilon Phi, a local sorority is founded and officially recognized by PSU. 1960: ◦ On December 3, the Oregon Delta chapter of Pi Beta Phi is formed from former members of local sorority Chi Gamma. ◦ On September 22, Phi Sigma chapter of Delta Delta Delta is formed from members of local sorority Ami Kai. 1961: ◦ Delta Omicron chapter of Alpha Chi Omega was chartered at PSU and officially recognized May 13. This chapter was formed from the former members of local sorority Alpha Kappa Delta. ◦ Zeta Mu chapter of Delta Zeta is formed at PSU. ◦ The Panhellenic Council is established at PSU. ◦ Rho Sigma Chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi is installed January 21 and was formed from members of the former local sorority Kappa Epsilon Phi. ◦ Members of Alpha Phi move into the first sorority chapter house on campus. ◦ Delta Omicron chapter of Delta Zeta is formally installed February 4. ◦ A new establishment of Gamma Phi Beta is formed on April 7. ◦ Delta Tau Rho, the oldest local fraternity at PSU, becomes Theta Epsilon chapter of Kappa Sigma. 1963: Epsilon Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi is founded on May 12. 1964: ◦ PSU President Millar halts recruitment activities amidst the rejection of four candidates, two of whom were Black students. After months of deliberation, the sororities are reinstated on the condition that local chapters be free to select members without alumnae veto. Correspondence between President Millar and national officers lead to the disaffiliation of 3 Panhellenic Council chapters. ◦ Panhellenic Council loses its recognition. ◦ Phi Sigma chapter of Delta Delta Delta closes October 15. 1965: Zeta Mu chapter of Delta Zeta closes. 1969: Beta Omega chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma is chartered at PSU. 1972: Rho Sigma chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi closes and becomes inactive. 1973: Gamma Phi chapter of Alpha Phi closes and becomes inactive. 1980: Oregon Delta chapter of Pi Beta Phi's charter is relinquished. 1983: Zeta-Kappa chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon celebrates 25 years since their PSU charter date. 1991: Oregon Epsilon chapter of Phi Delta Theta is founded at PSU May 25. 1992: Pi Sigma chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha is founded at PSU April 26. 1998: Alpha Lambda chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, a co-ed music fraternity, became inactive. 2003: Lisa McCalla, the first Coordinator of Student Government Relations & Adviser to Greek Life is hired by PSU. Wendy Endress, former dean of students and associate vice provost for student affairs lead the search after receiving input from members of the Greek Life community at PSU. 2008: ◦ Alpha Xi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. is founded at PSU. ◦ Zeta-Kappa chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon is closed July 3rd. 2010: Pi Omicron chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi is founded at PSU. 2011: Epsilon Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi is re-chartered March 19. 2012: Delta Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi became inactive after this year. 2014: ◦ Beta Tau chapter of Omega Delta Phi is founded at PSU June 6. ◦ The Beta Omega chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma ceases all chapter operations and becomes inactive in March. 2015: The Beta Mu chapter of Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc. is founded at PSU March 20. 2017: ◦ Eta Phi Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was chartered on the campus of Portland State University on March 27. ◦ Eta Omega chapter of Delta Gamma was founded on October 15. ◦ Oregon Alpha chapter of Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity is founded November 18. 2018: Epsilon Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi becomes inactive after this year. 2019: ◦ Oregon Epsilon chapter of Phi Delta Theta re-chartered at PSU March 7th. ◦ Pi Sigma chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha became inactive. 2020: ◦ Spring term meetings and events were held virtually due to the university's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. ◦ The Theta Epsilon chapter of Kappa Sigma left Student Activities and Leadership Programs in December and is no longer recognized as a student organization. 2021: Meetings and events continued virtually during the 2020-2021 academic year in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 2023: Oregon Alpha chapter of Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity becomes inactive. Sources: PSU Chronicles article about the Alpha Xi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Special Collections & University Archives: The Viking Zeta Phi Beta Portland State University history Portland State Perspective: Spring 1983 The History of Pi Beta Phi: Oregon Delta chapter Article about Phi Delta Theta Portland Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
