Psi Upsilon Files (OF-1Q-P2)

Biographical/Historical Note

Psi Upsilon (Sigma chapter) was established in 1840, the third fraternity at Brown, The early members met of President Wayland’s objection to the secrecy of the organization by electing him to honorary membership. Many of the members of Psi Upsilon were Rhode Island residents, and, according to an article in the Brunonian in 1892, “For more than half a century the Sigma has annually recruited from the best families in Rhode Island.” In 1893 Psi Upsilon became the first fraternity to have its own house. The house, a modified Colonial design, was built by the fraternity at 4 Manning Street. After the fraternities moved into the Wriston Quadrangle, it was renamed Angell Hall and used by the Biology Department. It was finally razed in 1972 from the lot in front of the Sciences Library. The chapter disbanded in 1964. It had been unable to meet the requirements of academic average and membership set forth in the Housing Report of 1962, had been fined by the Interfraternity Council for rushing practices, and had lost ten members who were suspended for a disorder at the house in the spring of 1963. The chapter was revived in 1985 with both men and women members.