Beta Tau
| Beta Tau | |
|---|---|
| BT | |
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| Founded | October 19, 1883 |
| College | Syracuse University |
| Location | Syracuse, NY |
| Homepage | Beta Tau Homepage |
| Media related to Beta Tau | |
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Beta Tau Chapter, Syracuse University
2,654 initiates (as of June 2013)
Some of Beta Tau’s Outstanding Alumnae: (If you have chapter alumna who have received recognition in any of these three categories, please list them with the date(s) of recognition.)
Anne Harter, Director of Philanthropies 1964-1966, Centennial Chairman 1968-1972 ; Dorothy Obrecht (Keller), Field Secretary 1948-1950; Samantha Britney, Traveling Consultant 1993-1994
Fraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:
Julia (Judy) Morton Cole, 1966, Fabric and fashion designer Maxine Baker Davidson, 1998, singer, former president/CEO of Ogden Telephone Co., philanthropist Robin Burns, 1992, Cosmetics CEO for Calvin Klein, Estee Lauder, Victoria Secret Beauty
ContentsThe Early YearsThe charter members of the second Tau chapter were initiated October 19, 1883, by Florence J. Lee, St. Lawrence, former Grand Treasurer, and members of Beta (Beta Beta) Chapter. The Alpha chapters of Alpha Phi and Gamma Phi Beta fraternities preceded Beta Tau on the Syracuse campus. Syracuse University, a nonsectarian institution that had 622 students and 43 faculty members in 1883, was founded by the New York State Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in cooperation with the city of Syracuse. In 1883, Ella Blakeslee and six close friends decided to organize themselves into a group. Professor Underwood suggested Kappa Kappa Gamma and wrote a letter to an “influential” Kappa: a charter was secured, and the second Tau was born. Scholarly and literary activities, campus programs and finally, around 1900, sports, occupied the members. A university medal, awarded to the senior woman who had exerted the most helpful influence on the campus, was first presented in 1922, to active Ruth Eleanor Sweet. In 1896, Beta Tau’s short existence was threatened by a warning from the Grand Council to be “very careful in selecting members.” A Convention discussion had declared that fine arts students were a “weakening” influence, because many took courses for certificates rather than for degrees. However, the nationally recognized John Crouse College of Fine Arts at Syracuse granted regular four-year degrees and about half of Beta Tau’s members were fine arts students.
Turn of the CenturyThe matter was not settled until 1900 when the Convention voted that each chapter should limit its fine arts membership to 20 percent of its total. Beta Tau was commended for its cooperation. Beta Tau alumnae and their families, as well as members who wished to remember alumnae, gave the chapter gifts to be used as honors for outstanding members. Sometime shortly before 1907, the husband of a deceased, young alumna, Elizann Hunter Melvin, gave the chapter a memorial bronze table for annual recognition of Beta Tau’s outstanding senior. He also gave money, the interest from which was used to decorate, quip, and maintain the chapter rooms. The Class of 1907 presented a cup to honor the senior with the highest average in memory of Ella Wallace Wells, author of “The Kappa Symphony.” She was the daughter of Harriet Blakeslee Wallace. Mrs. Wallace had donated a set of Kappa china that she designed and had made in Syracuse. Mrs. Wallace continued in her devotion to the chapter and after her death in January 1928, was made a Keystone Kappa by Beta Tau. In 1916, Ella Blakeslee, Beta Tau’s founder, gave the chapter a scroll on which to inscribe annually the name of the chapter’s most helpful sophomore, and the Syracuse alumnae bought a cup to be awarded to the sophomore with the highest average.
Early chapter meetings were in members’ homes, in rented rooms, and, from 1898–1915, in a rented house “built according to our specifications.” In 1915, a new home was found, and the chapter moved, in 1930, to 743 Comstock Avenue. Beta Tau’s activities were centered on the prevailing social and political happenings of the times. During World War I, the Kappa house was the university headquarters for Red Cross activities. The influenza epidemic of 1918 handicapped relief work, but Beta Tau’s dessert less dinners helped support the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Fund and the Chinese Famine Fund. In 1934, A Beta Tau party was graced by the presence of a movie star, Buddy Rogers. In 1935, the chapter sang on a national radio show. When most of the Syracuse men left to fight in World War II, Beta Tau, like most chapters, began working for the war effort. The year 1946 brought “normalcy at Syracuse—meaning change”: Classes in pre-fabricated buildings, a liberalized curfew (10:15 for underclassmen, 11:15 for upperclassmen) and the abolition of the drinking ban. “Kappas are in every phase of campus life,” quoted the record from 1946 to 1952. Good scholarship, good leadership, good cooperation with other Greek houses, and good works filled the pages of the minutes.
In 1954, Beta Tau received the Gracious Living Award and won honorable mention for the same award in 1958. Beta Tau won honorable mention for overall chapter improvement at the 1962 Convention; this was the year Peggy Beeson (Heinisch), Ohio Wesleyan, was the chapter’s Graduate Counselor. The Advisory Board provided by the Syracuse Alumnae Association also won a first place that year. Outstanding alumnae include Ida Gibson Gibbons, an associate editor of Mademoiselle, who also worked for Nettie Rosenstein; Mabel Potter Daggett, author; Anna Harbottle Whittic, political economist; and Caroline Romer, botanist. Anne Harter served the Fraternity as Director of Philanthropies, 1964–1966. She was then appointed chairman of the Centennial Committee, which formulated and directed the events of a memorable celebration of Kappa’s first 100 years. Attainment of the half-million-dollar goal for the Centennial Fund, which provided grants for undergraduate and graduate work in rehabilitation, was the crowning achievement of the year. Beta Tau faced a new challenge in the late 1960s and the early 1970s when students rebelled against the traditional “system.” Beta Tau and other groups struggled to prove to the campus that individuals could preserve independence while still functioning as chapter members. Ritual and tradition became secondary as Kappas involved themselves in draft counseling and other Vietnam war-related activities. Sororities had to measure their housing rules against new campus standards of dormitory autonomy, unlimited visitation and co-educational dormitories. Six sororities and ten fraternities on campus closed during this period. With the end of the war, students lost their overt concern for ideologies and reverted to the rock and roll of the 1950s, in dress, music and actions. The Greek system gained strength as social activities, philanthropic projects and the values of association with an identifiable group came back into vogue. The previous information was excerpted from The History of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, 1870-1976. The information that follows has been gleaned from available resources including Chapter History Reports, chapter meeting minutes, letters and comments from chapter members and alumnae, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Archives, and The Key. Each chapter is expected to update its history record annually. Contact Fraternity Headquarters at kkghq@kkg.org with questions. Highlights of 1970sThe chapter during the 1970s into 1980s was shown in the many photographs and recorded memories were found in scrapbooks in the house library. The photos were filled with wonderful women who were all very proud and elated to be a part of a sisterhood. Greek life on the Syracuse campus at the time was small, but everyone involved was very passionate about it. One challenge the chapter seemed to face during the late 70's was membership. Young women on the Syracuse University campus were not as excited about joining the Greek Life. In 1975, the pledge class consisted of only ten girls. But as years went on, joining a sorority became more popular and less taboo. Whether there were only ten members in a pledge class or thirty, all the women involved in Kappa at this time were proud and did all they could to increase membership. Many of the significant events that Kappas participated in during these years still exist, and Kappas are equally as involved. These events include the Homecoming Parade, Parent's Weekend, Founders Day Tea, and Greek Weekend. The late 70's and early 80's were a much different time, so certain events during Greek Weekend were definitely different. However, the general theme of raising awareness about the great experience of being involved in the Greek community at Syracuse still rings true. As for events specific to Kappa, the Scholarship Dinner, Founders Day Celebration, and Parent's Weekend continue as important occasions celebrated in the same way they were then. In 1980, Founders Day and Parent's Weekend were celebrated together, so parents of actives were able to come to the celebration and meet alumni who returned for it. Fall and spring formals were popular during this time, as were Crush parties. The sisters bonded during Inspiration Week, a week that was a monumental bonding experience for the chapter members. Another tradition that lives on is the Pillow-Paddle exchange (although now wooden keys are exchanged as opposed to paddles between Mother and Daughter what later was called Big and Little.
Highlights 1980sPhilanthropy: In 1987, The Kappas and the Thetas continued their tradition of Kite and Key which not only brought the two chapters closer together, but also raised a great deal of money for FACT, a local cancer support group. The chapter also did an Easter Basket delivery for Upstate Medical Center where sisters distributed final bags to students whose families donated money to the Rose McGill fund. In 1989, the chapter participated in Crop Walk and joined with Phi Kappa Psis to raise money to fight hunger. The chapter also had a pumpkin decorating party with some underprivileged children in Syracuse and hosted a Thanksgiving luncheon for geriatric patients at St. Joseph’s hospital.
Homecoming Week Champions (1980; with Alpha Tau Omega); Syracuse University Dance Marathon for Muscular Dystrophy 2nd Place (1980; with Psi Upsilon); Greek Weekend 2nd Place (1980); Tie for 2nd place for the honored Hilton Cup (1980); Most Improved in Scholastics (1980); In 1988, the chapter pledged 45 girls so it was important to build chapter unity. This was accomplished by increasing the sister/pledge functions, improved chapter meetings, passing the gavel, Kappa consideration key and roommate appreciation day. The chapter goal for the year was Unity and the chapter motto was Kappa Family. The chapter pledged a record 60 new members this year. The chapter teamed up with ATO for Homecoming and won first place for the second year in a row. In addition, the Kappa’s came in first at the SAE annual Paddy Murphy event which landed the chapter a new TV.
Highlights of the 1990sPhilanthropy: In 1990, the chapter joined forces with ATO to sell daffodils to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The chapter also participated in Dance Marathon with SAE to help raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In 1994 the chapter again participated in Daffodil Days with ATO to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The chapter sold more than 3,670 bouquets of daffodils for the project which raised a lot of money. The chapter also took part in a cookie baking event for the Dorothy Day house, a local philanthropy that houses battered women and children. Chapter Convention Awards: In 1994, Beta Tau received Honorable Mention awards in both Scholarship and Pledge Education categories. The chapter was also one of the few to completely fulfill the Challenge to Excellence. A chapter goal during 1990 was to create more involvement in chapter activities, especially in philanthropy events. Awards were given for attendance at philanthropy events. Workshops on standards and ethics also raised the awareness of the importance of philanthropy. The chapter partnered with Phi Gamma Delta to participate in Dance Marathon in 1992. Some Beta Tau sisters danced for 30 straight hours. The chapter attained #1 status on campus in scholarship with the highest average G.P.A. of all the sororities on campus. The motto for the year was “Kappa Kappa Commitment” and the chapter developed a special unity committee to help reach the goal of a stronger focus on unity and commitment. The Iris Garden was established outside the house and was dedicated to sister’s relatives who had passed away. At the university’s 1995 Greek Awards Banquet, Beta Tau received an award for Outstanding Chapter newsletter and an award for Outstanding Pledge Education Program. The chapter motto for the year was Kreating Kappa Greatness. The responsibility for attaining this goal was the responsibility of each Beta Tau sister and all of the members working together to achieve that greatness. The biggest success in 1996 was Kappa’s victory in the annual Powder Puff tournament, an event that is hosted by Sigma Pi Epsilon and the money raised benefited AIDS causes. The annual goal was Kick Kappa into Gear. Achieving this motto was helped by the implementation of a successful phone chain and Kappas who volunteered their time to important philanthropy events. The chapter took first placed in the 1997 Homecoming skit event, being paired with Psi Upsilon. A chapter consultant came to stay with the chapter during the year. She did a great job of raising spirits, promoting attendance and raising ritual awareness amount the members. Chapter goal was Create Kappa Knowledge. In 1998, the chapter had a number of sister events during the year which helped strengthen the bonds holding the chapter together, and the chapter participated in a number of philanthropy events. During the year, several members were inducted into honors fraternities and eight women made the Dean’s List. The chapter paired up with Sigma Chi for Homecoming events winning the Yell-Like Hell contest and finished second in Powder-puff football. The chapter attained #1 in G.P.A. on the campus for 1999 mostly attributed to outstanding academic achievements and hard work in school. The chapter along with the members of Sigma Delta Tau had children from the Vincent House come over for a Halloween Party. The Vincent House is an after-school program for disadvantaged kids. Everyone face painted, played games and trick-retreated in the Kappa house.
A New Millennium - Highlights of 2000-2010Housing: The chapter worked closely with the House Board to accomplish an entire revamp of the washrooms and bathrooms as well as adding new lighting in the back hallway, new draperies and a fresh paint job in the Red Room.
In 2007. the chapter participated in Alpha Epsilon Pi’s Wiffles and Waffles Philanthropy event, a wiffleball tournament in which the chapter made it to the championship game. By late spring 2008, Beta Tau was busy supporting fellow chapters on campus and participating in numerous philanthropy events such as Delta Gamma's Anchor Splash and Alpha Epsilon Pi’s Wiffles n' Waffles tournament. The girls also participated in various community events, including the Take Back the Night walk to raise awareness of sexual violence. The chapter co-sponsored NOLApalooza-- an event to raise awareness and money for the devastating effects on New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina.
In 2010, the Beta Tau held two successful philanthropy events called Kappa Kickball and Kappa Karwash.
At the 2010 convention, the Beta Tau received the most improved chapter award. During Homecoming 2005, the chapter marched in the annual Homecoming parade and won most spirited! On Halloween, the chapter participated in a campus event called Greek or Treat that included face-painting local community children while the older children went through the Delta haunted house. The chapter decided to encourage members to become better Kappas by giving awards at chapter meeting each week including Geek of the Week for great academic achievement and Amazing Actives for members who put in extra time and effort into the chapter for that particular week. In 2007, a Founders Day tea, which fell on Syracuse University’s homecoming week-end, drew many alumnae including a 94 year-old Beta Tau who was one of the first members to live in the house on Comstock Avenue. A Chapter Improvement Plan was started in 2009 with Kappa Kindergarten. It was a day long sisterhood event to educate the chapter about the ins and outs of Kappa Kappa Gamma and Beta Tau. Chapter Council officers prepared "courses" that were relevant to their positions that they in turn taught to the chapter, focusing on Standards, Ritual, History, and the “big picture” of Kappa, teaching actives about alumnae opportunities and the Kappa Foundation. In addition to a strong year of philanthropy and service, this was also a huge year for Beta Tau, as we celebrated our 125th Anniversary on October 19th. The chapter planned a large celebration for this occasion, sending out invitations to alumnae, family, and Syracuse University officials. The celebration brought many people together, bridging generational gaps and bringing old friends together. With the house decorated in blue and blue, sisters and alumnae bonded over old pictures and scrapbooks, sharing stories over fleur-de-lis cupcakes. Tragedy struck Beta Tau in November when the beloved house mother passed away suddenly in a car accident during Thanksgiving break. Fortunately, the Syracuse community came together and the chapter received an outpouring of support from the Greek community and the campus during the difficult time. Susie was a fair and gracious housemother and will always be remembered fondly. The chapter put a lot of effort into improving the chapter unity, values, pride and goals during 2010. The chapter created a new officer position called Sisterhood Chair. This sister acts under the Standards Committee and strives to improve sisterhood amongst members. The chapter also made ritual a larger part of the chapter with weekly ritual trivia, songs and workshops.
In addition to receiving the most improved chapter at the 2010 Convention, the Beta Tau Chapter also received the Golf Cut Accreditation Award from Syracuse University. During the year, the chapter celebrated their 80th birthday. Highlights of 2011-2019(From chapter’s History Report: Scholarship, group honors/awards, traditions, special events, changes on campus or within chapter, overall nature of the chapter, chapter goals, challenges and how they were overcome, etc.) 2011Founded in 1870, Syracuse University is a beautiful school in Upstate New York with a strong tradition of excellence. Students focus on academics, while being spirited and enthusiastic about the campus, cheering on the Syracuse Orange athletics, and boasting a top ranked basketball team, and a championship-winning men’s lacrosse team. Beta Tau goes well with the campus, as the members are motivated and passionate young women, proud of academics, the University, our sisterhood, and one another. SU is dedicated to engagement and interaction with the community, and our chapter fits in with that view, as we work to be involved and committed both on our campus and in the community. With a committed Community Service Chairman, Beta Tau works hard to engage in and cultivate social responsibility, giving time and effort to improving the community, helping others, and doing good in the world—through both service activities and philanthropic donations. With a continued commitment to volunteering, academics, philanthropy, and sisterhood, Beta Tau is proud of its involvement with the University. Our Professors ‘Tea is always a favorite of the actives, as it gives the members a chance to interact with SU faculty outside of the classroom. Additionally, Kappas are involved with numerous clubs and teams on campus, as the members all enjoy being involved with all that Syracuse University has to offer. Through our Chapter Improvement Plan, the members are working to improve many areas including officer training and transition by having each officer write a welcome letter to her successor. This has already proven helpful with those officers who will be going abroad, as their successors now have a personal letter with advice and ideas to help them succeed. Beta Tau is working to make its Standards program the best it can be in order to foster spirit and morale while maintaining and educating the chapter on Fraternity standards and policies. Additionally, a continuing challenge for our chapter is instilling understanding and passion for the ritual. The first step forward was electing a strong Marshal who set goals that were a reflection of the chapter improvement plan. Starting at Kappa Kindergarten, she educated the chapter on the basics of ritual including general procedure, song, and various acts the members do as a chapter during ritual. She then held three other ritual review workshops, and after holding fall Initiation, our improvements showed. She also made necessary adjustments to some of the transitions during ritual to minimize the talking and keep the chapter focused. Every week at chapter meeting she reads a passage from the ritual book to familiarize our chapter with the beauty and importance of the ritual which has definitely brought the ritual to life for many of our members. Another challenge to the chapter was attendance. It was determined that girls did not feel involved enough in the chapter to engage themselves. Thus, everyone has worked hard to instill leadership and communication in the chapter. Instead of relying on Chapter Council to conduct and manage everything, the members have made goals to rely more on the committees, involving each sister, with 10 minute committee meetings at the end of each chapter meeting. At the first of the year, each sister signed up to be on a committee headed by a sister on Chapter Council. In turn, each leader made a commitment to delegate her responsibilities. This has created a more unified and involved chapter. A weekly agenda was set and sent out before every chapter meeting highlighting the important information and dates going to be covered in the next meeting. Attendance still remains to be a challenge as a chapter, but the members are working hard to make sure everyone feels involved, and wants to be an important part of Beta Tau. 2012In February 2012 Beta Tau invited 52 girls to join our New Member Program at the completion of recruitment. In March 2012 we celebrated the initiation of all 52 girls who were given bids. At the end of the year Beta Tau was awarded Silver Cup recognition at the 2012 Syracuse University Greek Awards. We also won Sigma Alpha Epsilon's Paddy Murphy philanthropy competition, among other philanthropic titles. Over the summer nine Beta Tau chapter council members were lucky enough to attend the 69th Convention in Jacksonville, FL. In the fall semester of 2012 Beta Tau members were very involved in various philanthropies on campus as well as hosting our own, Kappa Karwash at the chapter house. Early in the fall chapter council hosted an educational program entitled Kappa Kindergarten at a chapter meeting. At the end of the semester Beta Tau members participated in many holiday sharing programs, like the Rose McGill program and local community programs. In November we set up a morning bake sale to raise funds for the relief efforts after Hurricane Sandy devastated parts of the North East. The campus underwent many changes in the fall semester of 2012. The Syracuse University social policy changed dramatically, affecting the rules, safety, budgeting, and judicial consequences of the greek life culture. Chapters are under strict policy codes and judiciary standings are posted onto the Syracuse FASA website. Beta Tau members engaged in some push back but council members were able to reestablish a budget and provide educational programming to help members understand and adhere to the new policies. Highlights of 2020s:Information from chapter’s History Report: (Scholarship, group honors/awards, traditions, special events, changes on campus or within chapter, overall nature of the chapter, chapter goals, challenges and how they were overcome, etc.)
Philanthropy:
Chapter Convention Awards:
Note to Chapter Registrar: Please refer to your chapter archives including chapter meeting minutes and back issues of The Key to fill in any gaps in the above historical highlights. If your chapter archives are not complete, please research your university library, campus newspaper and yearbook archives for newsworthy information about your chapter. Please double check your work for accuracy. Contact chapter Advisory or House Board members, local Alumnae Association members, or your Province Director of Chapters for assistance. Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoy! |
