Chi Psi

Chi Psi () is a fraternity consisting of active chapters (known as "Alphas") at 33 American colleges and universities. The mission of Chi Psi is to create and maintain an enduring society which encourages the sharing of traditions and values, respect for oneself and others, and responsibility to the university and community.

Chi Psi was founded in 1841 at Union College in Schenectady, New York with the idea of emphasizing the fraternal and social principles of a brotherhood. It was the first Greek-letter organization to be founded on these grounds, rather than the literary characteristics of the seven then-existing societies. In 1846, Chi Psi was the first fraternity in the nation to establish a fraternity house. This was a building at the University of Michigan, which was said to resemble a hunting lodge; hence, Chi Psi now refers to all its houses as lodges.Hattendorf, Bill (2005). ''The Chi Psi Story'', The Chi Psi Educational Trust and Chi Psi Fraternity

Chi Psi's official colors are purple and gold. Chi Psi's national headquarters, the Central Office, is in Nashville, Tennessee.

History

Chi Psi was founded on Thursday May 20, 1841, by 10 students at Union College. The 10 founding members were: Philip Spencer (later hanged on charges of mutiny aboard the brig USS ''Somers''), Robert Heyward McFaddin (1822–1858) of Greensboro, Alabama, Jacob Henry Farrell, John Brush Jr., Samuel Titus Taber, James Lafayette Witherspoon (cousin of McFaddin), William Force Terhune, Alexander Peter Berthoud, James Chatham Duane, and Patrick Upshaw Major.

Values and the Chi Psi gentleman

Chi Psi is founded upon the fraternal aspects of brotherhood and embraces a number of values in its pursuit to establish this brotherhood. These values were first adopted at its founding in 1841, and later, a restatement of principles was given at the 122nd National Convention in 1963. Some of these values are as follows: Chi Psi is defined by the values which are collectively accepted by its members. The extent to which these values are practiced is the measure of our fraternity; Chi Psi is committed to the growth of the individual in a social environment which nurtures integrity, dignity, and maturity while enjoying shared experiences and college sociability; and Chi Psi recognizing that academic achievement is fundamental to the development of the individual, stands for intellectual growth and the attainment of human potential.

Chi Psi also embraces the idea of being a true gentleman, by following the definition of a gentleman as put forward by John Walter Wayland's "The True Gentleman":

Program for Excellence

In pursuit of the values the fraternity put forth and in order to make up for a lack of leadership opportunities available on college campuses, the Chi Psi Educational Trust has funded the Program for Excellence. Consisting of numerous sessions and workshops the Program for Excellence focuses on instilling the members of Chi Psi with a respect for themselves, the people they are around, and their community.

Purple & Gold

The Chi Psi newsletter, ''The Purple & Gold'' was first published in November 1883, and is currently received by all current brothers on a lifetime subscription.

Local chapter or member misconduct

A pledge named Gordie Bailey died of an alcohol overdose at University of Colorado Boulder in 2004. He was found face down on the floor of the Chi Psi house, where members had drawn slurs all over his body while he was passed out. The Chi Psi chapter was temporarily suspended. A 2017 ''USA Today'' article used Bailey's death to illustrate that fraternity chapters frequently continue operations with little interruption after a death.

An apparent staged lynching was conducted in 1971 by Chi Psi at the University of Virginia, with a group of black-hooded students carrying rifles surrounding a black-faced mannequin swinging from a tree. Photographs of the spectacle were published in the university's yearbook, where they were rediscovered by journalists at '' The Cavalier Daily'' in 2019.

Alphas

Chi Psi has active chapters, which are known as Alphas, at 33 American colleges and universities.

Active Alphas

Dormant Alphas

Leadership

The President of Chi Psi is known as the #7. The first #7 was elected in 1879, thirty-eight years after the founding of Chi Psi. The #7's are:

The executive director of Chi Psi is known as the #23. The first #23 was appointed in 1921. The #23's are:

Notable alumni

See also

* List of social fraternities and sororities

References

External links

*

{{Authority control

Student organizations established in 1841
North American Interfraternity Conference
Student societies in the United States
Union College (New York)
1841 establishments in New York (state)