Delta Sigma Phi
Delta Sigma Phi, known simply as Delta Sig, is a fraternity with a greystone on 113th Street. The Columbia chapter of Delta Sig is the Beta Chapter, the second chapter of Delta Sig. Although the chapter, founded in 1902, was inactive for most of the 20th century, it was reestablished at Columbia in 2001.
Delta Sig is not associated with any particular sport, though members in the past have been associated with Fencing, Soccer, Tennis, Rugby, Football, and Crew. Brothers are heavily involved in extracurricular activities from participating in the Louis Armstrong Jazz Program to starting new companies. Its main campus philanthropic contributions include fundraising for CCO and Relay for Life.
Their membership is fairly large (perhaps the largest on campus). It has received a reputation for attracting New York and prep school kids, although Delta Sigs deny this as a defining trait of recruitment. The recruiting philosophy remains about finding new members that are cooler than yourself.
In the greek world, Delta Sig is close to all the sororities but is closest to DG and Theta. The Fraternity consistently holds executive positions in the Inter-Fraternity Council and Judicial Board, helping to shape greek formals and mediate the "War on Fun". In the fraternity beer pong league, Delta Sig consistently wins the championship tournament.
In terms of tradition, the fraternity of course has its secret rituals, signs, and symbols, and yet the chapter has established a few other unique ones. Beer Olympics, Alumni Beer & Wings, and Alumni Breakfast at Homecoming are a few ways for alumni to participate. The fraternity also plans ski trips to Killington and occasionally Vancouver. Members generally participate in an annual or semesterly pong tournament, casino night, and sorority dinner night. Members throw a new years eve party, with the host location varying year to year. Other traditions include DG-Delta Sig intramural soccer or volleyball.
Parties that kick off the new fall semester include the annual Green Party, Around the World, and mixers with each sorority. More recently, Delta Sig has co-hosted events with charities, corporations, TV/film, and energy drink companies. Delta Sig has worked with neighborhood business owners to negotiate party spaces for Columbia. These locations have included the introduction of a few nightspots in MoHi: Mona (Pourhouse's precursor), Village Pourhouse (better suited to unoffical events), Campo (shortly after Pertutti, Campo's precursor, closed), Vareli (which was a financially profitable venture, but better suited to private events), and more recently, Mel's Burger bar.
