The Early Years ('20

Though the Michigan Chapter of Delta Chi was founded in 1892 (March 15th to be exact), the first local records of its existence and activities begin in the year 1922. However, we do know that the Chapter's first home, from 1892 to 1919, was the former Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house on the northeast corner of State and Hill streets. Unfortunately, the house was torn down in 1995 to make room for a parking lot. All that remains is the cornerstone, which, in 1996, members placed in a permanent enclosure on the front lawn of Delta Chi's current residence.

It is unknown for certain which house on Olivia street the chapter claimed home from 1919 to 1934. A guest ledger from the period exists, but it gives no address. It was described as being English in style, perched on a terrace overlooking an intersection. A 1931 report describes the layout of the house: the basement contained a dining room, kitchen, and storerooms. The first floor contained a main hall, sun room, telephone booth, guest rooms, the porter's room, and bathrooms. The second floor contained study rooms and showers. The third floor served as dormitory and also contained showers. The house was owned by the Delta Chi Association, a corporation of alumni which rented the house to the chapter.

?Examining the records from this period allows one to gain insight into fraternity life during that time. The familiar positions of "A" through "F" were already in place. However there also existed an "F minor" who assisted the "F" in his duties. The twenties saw the beginning of the Delta Chi committee system, with the positions of House Manager, Finance Committee, and Steward in place in 1925. Members created a standing Rush committee in 1926, a permanent Social committee in 1927, and the Athletics chairman in 1930. The fraternity held frequent house parties, the most important of which was the J-Hop (Junior Hop), in which the brothers would invite many girls from out of town. The chapter also held bimonthly formal dinners. The house bought a Victrola in 1927 and its first radio in 1930.

Nine months out of the year, the chapter paid a monthly rent of $300 to the Delta Chi Association. This meant members paid about $20/month rent. In-housers paid an additional $32 board charge. Out-of-housers only paid $5/month plus a $4 parlor tax for house improvements. Chapter meetings were at the now-familiar time of 7pm each Monday, attended by over 90 percent of the members. Delta Chi had a fine system including a $1 fine for not attending chapter, a $.25 fine for disorderly conduct in the chapter room, and an expensive (for the time) $5 - $15 fine for not attending initiation.

Delta Chi's were also known around campus. In 1927 the Michigan football team elected George Rich as captain. In 1932 Brother Fred Petosky served as an All-American End of the National Championship football team, as well as the captain of the basketball team and the starting center fielder on the baseball team. Delta Chi's were also awarded letters in other sports, one of which was wrestling, and were active in many campus organizations. A 1928-29 report ranked Delta Chi as the 7th most prestigious fraternity on campus out of over 80 active national and local Michigan chapters. Delta Chi, as one of the oldest fraternities on campus, was awarded two votes at IFC meetings because it had been on campus for more than 15 years in 1925.

The chapter held many alumni activities during the 1920's, such as alumni reunions, local and national founders' day banquets, as well as homecoming. Though alumni support decreased in the 1930's, a small group of alumni remained active in the chapter.

At this time, pledges went through a rigorous term. A 1931 report describes a 5 day "probation" period before initiation in which pledges were required to wash walls, do woodwork, etc. There were short "play sessions" in which noise was the primary hazing method. In addition, a "medical corps" examined candidates who were required to eat carefully. Pledges were given about three hours of sleep a night and were required to stay up all night the final night.

Despite its notoriety around campus, membership in Delta Chi as well as in fraternities around campus continued to shrink into the '30s due to the poor economic conditions of the time. Rent dropped to $18 a month in 1933, and initiation fees dipped from $140 to $40 in order to attract new members. The Greek system was also hindered by active campaign on the part of University administration (headed by Dean Howard Bursley) to close down all fraternity houses on campus. In addition, the Depression forced the chapter to accept a deferred rushing system during the 1931-32 school year.

In 1931 the chapter pledged not to hold any more dances until they had 3 pledges. In 1933 Delta Chi accepted members from another closed fraternity into the bond. Despite these initiates, many of the new brothers could not meet financial commitments and were forced to leave the fraternity. The chapter was unable to recover from this lack of membership (the all-time low being 10 members in 1932 and 1933).

An Alumni Finance Plan was enacted to deal with financial troubles of the chapter and collect unpaid debts. The Plan was successful during the late 1920's, but by 1933 it ceased to operate, and the alumni kindly helped with what the chapter could not meet. The Delta Chi Association lost the house to creditors, as the mortgage value to the house ballooned to $72,000 (which exceeded the value of the house, lot, and furnishings combined). The chapter became became unable to make monthly payments to the Ann Arbor Trust Company.

Although the fraternity had elected officers for the following school year, in June, 1934 the fraternity was forced to close its doors due to dwindling numbers caused by the onset of the Great Depression, financial problems, and an unknown disagreement between brothers that finally clinched the chapter's unfortunate fate.