Restrictions to Access

No restrictions. Open for research.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], in the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Chi Psi Records #40147, University Archives, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Provenance

Periodic transfer from the offices that create these records.

Sensitive Materials Statement

Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. § 132 1 et seq.), and Article 7 of the North Carolina State Personnel Act (Privacy of State Employee Personnel Records, N.C.G.S. § 126-22 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill assumes no responsibility.

The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.

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• Chi Psi. Alpha Sigma Chapter (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill).
• College students--North Carolina--Societies, etc.
• Greek letter societies--North Carolina--Chapel Hill.
• Student activities--North Carolina--History.
• University of North Carolina (1793-1962)--Societies, etc.
• University of North Carolina (1793-1962)--Students--History.
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill--Societies, etc.
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill--Students--History.

• Richard Hampton Jenrette Papers (#4451) in the Southern Historical Collection

The Alpha Sigma Chapter of the Chi Psi Fraternity was originally chartered on 16 November 1855 and was active until the Civil War. Alpha Sigma was the first chapter of Chi Psi established in the South. At the onset of war, the chapter dissolved, with legend stating that the original charter, constitution, and bylaws were ritualistically burned by the brothers. After the war, there were unsuccessful attempts to petition for a new charter, including an effort in 1890. Alpha Sigma was re-established by Oliver Reagan Rowe (University of North Carolina, Class of 1925) as a local fraternity on 1 April 1923, with the purpose of regaining its charter from the Chi Psi Fraternity. At that time, Chi Psi was not soliciting new chapters nor was it accepting any applications for charters. Thus began a long, deliberate effort to have the mother alpha of the South revived. Finally, in June 1928, Alpha Sigma was re-established as a Chi Psi chapter and has remained active since then, even through a devastating house fire in 1929 and the hardships brought on by the Great Depression and World War II.

Sigmas strive for excellence in their endeavors, following the plan laid out by Oliver Rowe, the father of Alpha Sigma and one-time president of Chi Psi Fraternity. Campus leadership has often emerged from the ranks of Alpha Sigma. Nineteen student body presidents were Chi Psi, and the editorship of The Daily Tar Heel was often held by a Sigma. Chapter members have also distinguished themselves as Morehead Scholars, Rhodes Scholars, and Phi Beta Kappa inductees. Alpha Sigma is known as one of the most involved fraternities on campus and has received awards from the university's Office of Greek Affairs. It has also been the recipient of several awards from the Chi Psi National Fraternity, including the Thayer Trophy for best alpha thirteen times since 1951.

The records of the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Chi Psi Fraternity include correspondence, minutes for the annual meetings, chapter publications, and chapter histories, the bulk of which date from 1928 to 1960.

• Extra Oversize Paper Folder (XOPF-40147/1)