List of San Diego State University fraternities and sororities

Main article: San Diego State University

The following article is a list of San Diego State University fraternities and sororities, as well as some background history. Greek life at San Diego State University (SDSU) has an extensive history dating back nearly a century and has played an influential role in the university's development over time. Today it encompasses more than forty active chapters of social and culturally-based fraternities and sororities recognized by the university, each represented through one of four governing councils. Honors, service and professional Greek-letter societies also exist and are recognized student organizations at SDSU, though they operate independently of the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life.

History

The first fraternity on campus was the local Epsilon Eta, which formed on October 25, 1921. The group maintained strict rules for its members and limited the chapter to twenty male students. The first local sorority, known as Shen Yo, was also established in 1921. By the end of the decade there were six other fraternities and eight sororities. The fraternities and sororities were all local and did not attain national affiliations until after World War II except Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, chartered in 1932.

On October 10, 1924, the Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) was founded. The IFC consisted of the nine sororities and the two fraternities that were then on campus. The purpose of IFC was stated as "boosting a high scholarship standard among the members of the fraternal organizations, and of cooperating with the faculty in all matters which lead to the success of the College." The IFC published the grade point averages of fraternities and sororities at the end of each semester, which stimulated a competition for scholastic standing that continues today. On a 3.0 scale, the average GPA (grade point average) for all students at the time was 1.49. For fraternity members, it was 1.35 and for sorority members, it was 1.47. After a couple of years of the co-educational governing organization, the sororities split from the IFC to create their organization, the Inter-Sorority Council, which later became the College Panhellenic Association.

By the mid-1930s, there were eight fraternities and eleven sororities on campus. The campus Greek community expanded to fifteen fraternities and twelve sororities in the 1940s. The post-World War II period saw a frenzy to "go national" among the fraternities and sororities. Between 1947 and 1951, five national fraternities colonized new chapters at SDSU and an additional nine formed chapters through absorbing existing local fraternities on campus. Theta Chi became the first fraternity on campus affiliated with a national organization in 1947. Alpha Xi Delta kickstarted a similar trend for sororities upon chartering in 1949, with nine other national sororities following suit by absorbing the remaining nine local sororities. In 1951, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity chartered on campus, becoming San Diego State's first African-American Greek organization.

The arrival of national fraternities began the trend of Greek organizations acquiring property for chapter houses. Delta Sigma Phi became the first fraternity to own a chapter house, with Kappa Delta becoming the first sorority to acquire a house shortly thereafter in 1952. The 1950s was a period of steady increase of membership in the Greek community, coinciding with the gradual increase in undergraduate enrollment at the university.

The emergence of the counterculture phenomenon of the late 1960s and early 1970s saw interest in fraternities and sororities decline and the Greek community population dwindled to below 700, with several organizations closing. On April 6, 1978, the Gamma Phi Beta sorority hired a plane to drop marshmallows on fraternity houses during Derby Week, a philanthropy event among the Greek community hosted by the Sigma Chi fraternity. The plane crashed near Peterson Gym on the west side of campus, injuring four students aboard.

In 1983, after a USA Today article reported that SDSU Greeks' GPAs were below the campus average, SDSU tightened restrictions and supervision, and by 1989 grades had increased to slightly above the university average. The Greek system gradually began to grow again in the late seventies following the close of the Vietnam War before spiking in the 1980s, reaching a peak of upwards of 2,900 members in 1988. At this point, there were twenty fraternities and thirteen sororities officially affiliated with the Interfraternity Council and College Panhellenic Association, respectively, as well as six additional independent fraternities and sororities. This made it one of the largest fraternity and sorority systems in the western United States.

The 1990s were a less prosperous time for social fraternities and sororities at the university than the previous decade. A fiscal crisis in California early in the decade severely impacted the California State University system, and SDSU was deeply impacted by budget cuts. A significant decline in enrollment at the university resulted. Several organizations were closed due to operational and conduct issues. Despite the turmoil, the Greek community still experienced substantial growth during the 1990s, though this time it centered primarily around the establishment of numerous culturally-based fraternities and sororities. This led to the establishment of SDSU's fourth Greek governing council, the United Sorority and Fraternity Council on September 24, 1997.

The SDSU Foundation's development of Fraternity Row in 2002, where eight fraternities moved into newly-constructed chapter houses in a 1.4-acre complex adjacent to the newly-constructed Cox Arena (now Viejas Arena). The complex consists of eight free-standing, two-story chapter houses with a private courtyard. The complex provides 61 two and three-bedroom apartment units that overlook the courtyards. The Foundation planned to also construct Sorority Row, a similar project with five free-standing chapter houses, following the completion of Fraternity Row. However, the project was abandoned in 2006 after the Foundation declared the project financially infeasible, citing escalating construction material costs and a lack of commitment from sororities.

In May 2008, the university community was shaken by an investigation into illegal drug use in the college area. Dozens of individuals were arrested in Operation Sudden Fall, including several students who were members of fraternities. Between the spring of 2008 and the spring of 2010, the Interfraternity Council saw its membership drop from sixteen chapters down to just nine, with seven chapters closing during this period all over a variety of misconduct issues. Since this time, the Greek community has experienced steady growth, coinciding with the growth of the university, a renewed interest in Greek life, and increased investment and involvement by alumni and administrators in educational programs for Greek members and organizations.

Today there are a total of more than forty fraternities and sororities at San Diego State University, including both general and culturally-based organizations, represented through one of the four governing councils.

College Panhellenic Association

The College Panhellenic Association is the governing body of all National Panhellenic Conference general social sororities on campus. According to its website, "the College Panhellenic Association aims to develop and maintain women's fraternity life and interfraternity relations at high levels of accomplishment".

Active chapters

Organization	Letters	Chapter	Local founding date	Nickname(s)
Alpha Chi Omega	ΑΧΩ	Gamma Nu	November 18, 1950*	AChiO; Alpha Chi
Alpha Gamma Delta	ΑΓΔ	Delta Eta	October 1, 1949*	AGD; Alpha Gam
Alpha Phi	ΑΦ	Gamma Alpha	October 1, 1949*	A-Phi
Chi Omega	ΧΩ	Gamma Delta	November 17, 1950*	ChiO
Delta Gamma	ΔΓ	Epsilon Sigma	October 28, 1984	DG
Gamma Phi Beta	ΓΦΒ	Beta Lambda	October 15, 1949*	Gamma Phi; G-Phi
Kappa Alpha Theta	ΚΑΘ	Gamma Sigma	January 26, 1951*	Theta
Kappa Delta	ΚΔ	Beta Rho	May 28, 1949*	KD
Pi Beta Phi	ΠΒΦ	California Epsilon	September 1, 1949*	Pi Phi

* indicates original charter date with national organization, does not reflect origin as previously local sorority (see below)

Master list of chapters

Organization	Letters	Chapter	Local founding date	Nickname(s)	Last active date
Alpha Chi Omega	ΑΧΩ	Gamma Nu	November 18, 1950*	AChiO; Alpha Chi	Active
Alpha Delta Pi	ΑΔΠ	Eta Sigma	1990	ADPi	2005
Alpha Epsilon Phi	ΑΕΦ	Epsilon Nu	March 8, 1964	AEPhi	2014
Alpha Gamma Delta	ΑΓΔ	Delta Eta	October 1, 1949*	AGD; Alpha Gam	Active
Alpha Phi	ΑΦ	Gamma Alpha	October 1, 1949*	A-Phi	Active
Alpha Sigma Alpha	ΑΣΑ	Omega Omega	January 16, 1932	ASA	1938
Alpha Xi Delta	ΑΞΔ	Gamma Alpha	January 15, 1949*	AZD; Alpha Xi	1998
Chi Omega	ΧΩ	Gamma Delta	November 17, 1950*	ChiO	Active
Delta Gamma	ΔΓ	Epsilon Sigma	October 28, 1984	DG	Active
Delta Zeta	ΔΖ	Gamma Omicron	November 18, 1949*	DZ	Fall 2022
Gamma Phi Beta	ΓΦΒ	Beta Lambda	October 15, 1949*	Gamma Phi; G-Phi	Active
Kappa Alpha Theta	ΚΑΘ	Gamma Sigma	January 26, 1951*	Theta	Active
Kappa Delta	ΚΔ	Beta Rho	May 28, 1949*	KD	Active
Pi Beta Phi	ΠΒΦ	California Epsilon	September 1, 1949*	Pi Phi	Active
Sigma Kappa	ΣΚ	Beta Psi	February 18, 1950*	SK	2007

* indicates original charter date with national organization, does not reflect origin as previously local sorority (see below)

Local sorority origins

Several sororities originated locally before later affiliating with national organizations:

• Alpha Chi Omega, Gamma Nu chapter originated as Sigma Pi Theta (ΣΠΘ) in 1924
• Alpha Gamma Delta, Delta Eta chapter originated as Gamma Phi Zeta (ΓΦΖ) in 1924
• Alpha Phi, Gamma Alpha chapter originated as Phi Kappa Gamma (ΦΚΓ) in 1924
• Alpha Xi Delta, Gamma Alpha chapter originated as Delta Chi Phi (ΔΧΦ) in 1923
• Chi Omega, Gamma Delta chapter originated as Shen Yo in 1921
• Delta Zeta, Gamma Omicron chapter originated as Alpha Sigma Chi (ΑΣΧ) in 1939
• Gamma Phi Beta, Beta Lambda chapter originated as Kappa Theta (ΚΘ) in 1923
• Kappa Alpha Theta, Gamma Sigma chapter originated as Chi Theta (ΧΘ) in 1929
• Kappa Delta, Beta Rho chapter originated as Epsilon Pi Theta (ΕΠΘ) in 1931
• Pi Beta Phi, California Epsilon chapter originated as Phi Sigma Nu (ΦΣΝ) in 1925
• Sigma Kappa, Beta Psi chapter originated as Tau Zeta Rho (TZP) in 1924

College Panhellenic Association activity timeline

Interfraternity Council

The Interfraternity Council is the governing body of general social fraternities on the San Diego State campus. Most of its member organizations belong to the North American Interfraternity Conference. The Interfraternity Council was formed on October 10, 1924, initially encompassing both fraternities and sororities. The purpose of the organization was stated to be "boosting a high scholarship standard among the members of the fraternal organizations, and of cooperating with the faculty in all matters which lead to the success of the College".

Active chapters

Organization	Letters	Chapter	Local charter date	Nickname(s)
Alpha Epsilon Pi	ΑΕΠ	Sigma Delta	December 7, 1970	AEPi
Beta Theta Pi	ΒΘΠ	Epsilon Beta	February 5, 1984	Beta
Delta Chi	ΔΧ	San Diego State	March 28, 1969	D-Chi
Delta Sigma Phi	ΔΣΦ	Gamma Alpha	November 14, 1948	Delta Sig; D-Sig
Delta Upsilon	ΔΥ	San Diego State	May 11, 1966	DU
Kappa Alpha Order	ΚΑ	Gamma Iota	October 15, 1950*	KA; Kappa Alpha
Phi Delta Theta	ΦΔΘ	California Pi	Spring 1989	Phi Delt
Phi Kappa Psi	ΦΚΨ	California Lambda	February 17, 1996	Phi Psi
Phi Kappa Tau	ΦΚΤ	Beta Nu	January 7, 1950*	Phi Tau
Sigma Alpha Epsilon	ΣΑΕ	California Theta	October 8, 1949*	SAE
Sigma Chi	ΣΧ	Delta Xi	January 8, 1949*	Sig Chi
Sigma Nu	ΣΝ	Eta Kappa	February 1, 1963	Sig Nu; Snu
Sigma Phi Epsilon	ΣΦΕ	California Delta	November 16, 1947*	SigEp
Tau Kappa Epsilon	ΤΚΕ	Gamma Lambda	May 19, 1950*	TKE; Teke
Zeta Beta Tau	ΖΒΤ	Beta Lambda	May 20, 1951*	ZBT

* indicates original charter date with the national organization, does not reflect origin as a previously local fraternity (see below)

Master list of chapters

Organization	Letters	Chapter	Local charter date	Nickname(s)	Last active date
Alpha Epsilon Pi	ΑΕΠ	Sigma Delta	December 7, 1970	AEPi	Active
Alpha Tau Omega	ΑΤΩ	Epsilon Psi	November 4, 1950*	ATO	Fall 1994
Beta Theta Pi	ΒΘΠ	Epsilon Beta	February 5, 1984	Beta	Active
Delta Chi	ΔΧ	San Diego State	March 28, 1969	D-Chi	Active
Delta Sigma Phi	ΔΣΦ	Gamma Alpha	November 14, 1948	Delta Sig; D-Sig	Active
Delta Upsilon	ΔΥ	San Diego State	May 11, 1966	DU	Active
Kappa Alpha Order	ΚΑ	Gamma Iota	October 15, 1950*	KA; Kappa Alpha	Active
Kappa Sigma	ΚΣ	Epsilon Iota	December 6, 1947*	Kappa Sig; K-Sig	2020 (recognized) 2023 (active)
Lambda Chi Alpha	ΛΧΑ	Zeta Pi	January 10, 1948	Lambda Chi	Active (unaffiliated)
Phi Delta Theta	ΦΔΘ	California Pi	Spring 1989	Phi Delt	Active
Phi Gamma Delta	FIJI (ΦΓΔ)	Sigma Delta	November 1, 1986	Fiji; Phi Gam	Spring 2020
Phi Kappa Psi	ΦΚΨ	California Lambda	February 17, 1996	Phi Psi	Active
Phi Kappa Tau	ΦΚΤ	Beta Nu	January 7, 1950*	Phi Tau	Active
Phi Kappa Theta	ΦΚΘ	Phi Iota	November 11, 1995	Phi Kap	Fall 2017
Phi Sigma Kappa	ΦΣΚ	Rho Triton	April 30, 1949	Phi Sig	1959
Pi Kappa Alpha	ΠΚΑ	Delta Kappa	November 27, 1948*	Pike	Spring 2024
Sigma Alpha Epsilon	ΣΑΕ	California Theta	October 8, 1949*	SAE	Active
Sigma Alpha Mu	ΣΑΜ	Gamma Nu	January 23, 1983	Sammy	Fall 2009
Sigma Chi	ΣΧ	Delta Xi	January 8, 1949*	Sig Chi	Active
Sigma Nu	ΣΝ	Eta Kappa	February 1, 1963	Sig Nu	Active
Sigma Phi Epsilon	ΣΦΕ	California Delta	November 16, 1947*	SigEp	Active
Sigma Pi	ΣΠ	Alpha Omega	May 18, 1949	Sig Pi	Spring 2008
Tau Kappa Epsilon	ΤΚΕ	Gamma Lambda	May 19, 1950*	TKE; Teke	Active
Theta Chi	ΘΧ	Gamma Theta	November 8, 1947		Fall 2019
Zeta Beta Tau	ΖΒΤ	Beta Lambda	May 20, 1951*	ZBT	Active

* indicates original charter date with the national organization, does not reflect origin as a previously local fraternity (see below)

Local fraternity origins

Several fraternities originated locally before later affiliating with national organizations:

• Alpha Tau Omega, Epsilon Psi chapter originated as Tau Delta Chi (ΤΔΧ) in 1926
• Kappa Alpha Order, Gamma Iota chapter originated as Omega Xi (ΩΞ) in 1926
• Kappa Sigma, Epsilon Iota chapter originated as Eta Omega Delta (ΗΩΔ) in 1922
• Phi Kappa Tau, Beta Nu chapter originated as Kappa Phi Sigma (ΚΦΣ) in 1926
• Pi Kappa Alpha, Delta Kappa chapter originated as Delta Pi Beta (ΔΠΒ) in 1928
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon, California Theta chapter originated as Epsilon Eta (ΕΗ) in 1921
• Sigma Chi, Delta Xi chapter originated as Phi Lambda Xi (ΦΛΞ) in 1925
• Sigma Phi Epsilon, California Delta chapter originated as Sigma Delta Epsilon (ΣΔΕ) in 1940
• Tau Kappa Epsilon, Gamma Lambda chapter originated as Sigma Lambda (ΣΛ) in 1926

Interfraternity Council activity timeline

National Pan-Hellenic Council

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is the collaborative organization of historically African American, international Greek lettered fraternities and sororities at San Diego State. Its member organizations are members of the national council of the same name, the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Its mission statement is "Unanimity within the council to maintain an influential and puissant presence by member organizations through programs, community service, and camaraderie for the betterment of the communities in which we serve".

Fraternities

Organization	Letters	Chapter	Local Founding Date
Alpha Phi Alpha	ΑΦΑ	Eta Sigma	September 9, 1972
Kappa Alpha Psi	ΚΑΨ	Delta Epsilon	March 26, 1951
Omega Psi Phi	ΩΨΦ	Pi Mu	August 14, 1976
Phi Beta Sigma	ΦΒΣ	Lambda Iota	January 27, 1979

Sororities

Organization	Letters	Chapter	Local Founding Date
Alpha Kappa Alpha	ΑΚΑ	Mu Iota	May 23, 1978
Delta Sigma Theta	ΔΣΘ	Nu Epsilon	May 7, 1977
Sigma Gamma Rho	ΣΓΡ	Delta Gamma	June 5, 1970
Zeta Phi Beta	ΖΦΒ	Xi Kappa	October 18, 1980

United Sorority and Fraternity Council

The United Sorority and Fraternity Council was founded on the campus of San Diego State University on September 24, 1997. The council is composed of various Asian/Pacific Islander-interest, Latino/Latina-interest, multi-cultural, and pride-based sororities and fraternities. The council's mission is "to provide a governing council for its respective organizations and promote unity and respect amongst themselves, the university, and the community.

Asian/Pacific Islander-based organizations

Fraternities

Organization	Letters	Chapter	Local Founding Date
Alpha Psi Rho	ΑΨΡ	Alpha	March 1, 2000

Sororities

Organization	Letters	Chapter	Local Founding Date
Alpha Phi Gamma	ΑΦΓ	Gamma	April 15, 1998
Delta Sigma Psi	ΔΣΨ	Alpha	December 12, 1998
Sigma Phi Omega	ΣΦΩ	Delta	December 18, 1991

Latino/Latina-based organization

Fraternities

Organization	Letters	Chapter	Local Founding Date
Gamma Zeta Alpha	ΓΖΑ	Zeta	May 31, 1997
Lambda Theta Phi	ΛΘΦ	Delta Gamma	March 26, 2014
Nu Alpha Kappa	ΝΑΚ	Beta	February 10, 1990
Sigma Lambda Beta	ΣΛΒ	Psi Gamma	February 27, 2010

Sororities

Organization	Letters	Chapter	Local Founding Date
Alpha Pi Sigma	ΑΠΣ	Alpha	March 10, 1990
Lambda Theta Alpha	ΛΘΑ	Gamma Psi	Spring 2005
Sigma Lambda Gamma	ΣΛΓ	Iota Gamma	January 4, 2005

Multicultural organizations

Fraternities

Organization	Letters	Chapter	Local Founding Date
Beta Gamma Nu	ΒΓΝ	Epsilon	February 11, 2011

Sororities

Organization	Letters	Chapter	Local Founding Date
Lambda Sigma Gamma	ΛΣΓ	Kappa	April 24, 1994
Sigma Alpha Zeta	ΣΑΖ	Delta	1997
Sigma Theta Psi	ΣΘΨ	Alpha	May 1, 1991
Upsilon Kappa Delta	ΥΚΔ	Beta	April 24, 1998

Pride-based organizations

Fraternity

Organization	Letters	Chapter	Local Founding Date
Delta Lambda Phi	ΔΛΦ	Alpha Delta	1992

Sorority

Organization	Letters	Chapter	Local Founding Date
Gamma Rho Lambda	ΓΡΛ	Beta	2005

Auxiliary Organizations

• FratMANers (Fraternity Men Against Negative Environments & Rape Situations)
• Greek Life Activities Board (GLAB) – Coordination board for activities within the Greek community
• Order of Omega – Affiliate of the national Order of Omega, recognizing "fraternity men and women who have attained a high standard of leadership in inter-fraternity activities."
• Rho Lambda – Leadership recognition society for sorority women from all-female/co-ed councils
• Sisster – Sororities Invested in Survivor Support, Training, and Ending Rape culture

Notable alumni

Many notable alumni of San Diego State University were members of fraternities and sororities during their undergraduate years. Some are listed below.

• John Baldessari (Sigma Chi) – conceptual artist
• Printz Board (Delta Sigma Phi) – record producer, songwriter, and singer best known for work with the Black Eyed Peas
• Phil Buckman (Theta Chi) – actor and musician
• Clair Burgener (Sigma Chi) – member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1973–1983)
• Robert Cardenas (Sigma Chi) – former brigadier general of the United States Air Force
• Will Demps (Sigma Pi) – professional football player with the NFL (2002–2008)
• Fred Dryer (Tau Kappa Epsilon) – professional football player with the NFL (1969–1981), an actor known best for a lead role on Hunter
• Brett Faryniarz (Tau Kappa Epsilon) – professional football player with the NFL (1988–1995)
• Kevin Faulconer (Kappa Sigma) – 36th mayor of San Diego (2014–2020)
• Joe Gibbs (Sigma Chi) – professional football coach who was three-time Super Bowl champion head coach, four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion as owner of Joe Gibbs Racing
• Bob Goen (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) – television personality and gameshow host, best known for his role on Entertainment Tonight
• Robert B. Johnston (Pi Kappa Alpha) – former United States Marine Corps lieutenant general
• Robert E. Kennedy (Tau Delta Chi) – seventh president of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (1967–1979), namesake of Cal Poly campus library
• Andrew Lauer (Tau Kappa Epsilon) – documentary filmmaker and actor, known for Caroline in the City
• Jason Lewis (Delta Upsilon) – actor, best known for roles on Sex and the City and Midnight, Texas
• Art Linkletter (Alpha Tau Omega) – radio and television personality
• Doug Manchester (Sigma Chi) – real estate developer, businessman, philanthropist
• David McKenna (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) – screenwriter and film producer
• Merrill McPeak (Sigma Chi) – retired 4-star general in the United States Air Force, former acting United States Secretary of the Air Force (1993)
• Al Michaels (Sigma Nu) – television sportscaster with ABC's Monday Night Football and NBC Sunday Night Football
• Sophia A. Nelson (Alpha Kappa Alpha) – author, political strategist, opinion writer, and attorney
• Graig Nettles (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) – professional baseball player with MLB (1967–1988), six-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion
• Leon W. Parma (Sigma Chi) – businessman, banker, and former co-owner of the San Diego Padres
• Gregory Peck (Epsilon Eta) – actor and five-time Academy Award for Best Actor recipient
• Ralph Pesqueira (Sigma Chi) –entrepreneur and founder of El Indio Mexican Restaurant credited with the invention of the taquito
• Fred Pierce (Beta Theta Pi) – real estate developer and philanthropist
• Jerry Sanders (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) – 34th mayor of San Diego (2005–2012), San Diego Police Department Chief of police (1993–1999)
• Brian Sipe (Kappa Sigma) – professional football player with the NFL (1974–1983), 1980 NFL MVP
• Suzy Spafford (Kappa Delta) – cartoonist best known for Suzy's Zoo
• Jimmy Steinfeldt (Sigma Pi) – live-action photographer
• George Sunga (Tau Kappa Epsilon) – television producer known for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, Three's Company, Good Times, The Jeffersons, and All in the Family
• John Clifford Wallace (Sigma Chi) –Senior United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Russell Weiner (Lambda Chi Alpha) – businessman and former politician, creator of Rockstar energy drink

Bibliography

• Starr, Raymond; Harry Polkinhorn (1995). San Diego State University: A History in Word and Image. San Diego State University Press. ISBN 1-879691-30-2.
• Mallios, Seth (2012). Hail Montezuma! The Hidden Treasures of San Diego State. Montezuma Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7442-5106-7.