And still left "Beta" to last - as in last single letter. Ironically, Beta (College of Wooster) is inactive (since 1913) due to the college's ban of national fraternities.

I guess if Eta of Sigma Chi wouldn't have had to close in the 1920s because Ole Miss lost their rankings in the college world, they would be the oldest continually open chapter since Eta was founded in 1857.

When was Alpha inactive?

They also closed during the War of Northern Aggression.

There is a great story in our spring magazine. One of our founders actually shut down our Alpha chapter at Miami. He did not feel that the guys coming through fit The Jordan Standard. It is supposed to be our guiding principle in membership selection.

I believe that our Delta chapter at Adelphi has been in continuous operation since it was founded in 1916... I could be wrong, though.

I believe our oldest continually running chapter would have to be at W&J, Fiji's Alpha since 1848

Our Delta chapter at University of Minnesota was founded in February 1908, Epsilon chapter at University of Kentucky was founded in May 1908, and Zeta chapter at Ohio University was founded in June 1908.

I would strongly suspect that one of them is our oldest in continual operation - I am fairly certain that none of those 3 chapters has ever closed.

Sorry, but Alpha Delt has at least 3 chapters older and continuous, including our mother chapter, Hamilton, 175 years old this year

Sorry, but I think you're wrong. If you have three, put them out here...I'd love to read about it, but I think you're wrong...

I didn't even have to go get my Bairds for this, but on Wikipedia Alpha Delt has 4 chapters older than our Gamma Chapter, 3 of which have had innactive periods, and your Alpha chapter (per it's website), just got back on campus....admit me to the light, please.

Our Hamilton Chapter has never closed down! School recognition and operation are two different things. Most schools didn't even officially recognize fraternities for the first 30-40 years of our existance. Our Union Chapter started as a local in 1833, and I stand corrected on the third. I thought our Michigan Chapter dated back to 1842, but 1846 is the correct date. In addition, I believe our Trinity chapter dated back that far (as a local), but I have to check on that. Our former Harvard Chapter, now known as the AD Club, dates back to 1837. Our former Dartmouth Chapter (of Animal House fame:), founded in 1842 as Tau Delta Theta, still exists as Alpha Delta local.
And that's just AD. Four other fraternities ( Kappa Alpha, Delta Phi, Sigma Phi, and Psi U) have chapters older than your chapter, some several. All from Baird's., 20th edition specifically. Lambda Iota, local at Vermont, dates back to 1836. Any questions??

Never poke a sleeping bear:)
 

Per Baird's (20th ed.) There's no guarantee you're even in the top 15!

Kappa Alpha- Union & Williams(I know, that one's unlikely)

Delta Phi- Union, NYU, Columbia

Chi Psi- Union

Sigma Phi- Union, Hamilton, Hobart

Psi Upsilon- Union, Amherst, Columbia, Dartmouth

Lambda Iota- Vermont

Alpha Delta Phi- Hamilton, Union, (maybe Trinity)

Alpha Delta- Dartmouth

AD Club- Harvard
Might not even be in the top twenty.
Start rewriting your pledge manual:)
Have you seen the light yet?

I've always heard from friends (and a cousin) who were initiated in Epsilon (UK) that Epsilon is the second oldest Alpha Gamma Delta chapter in continuous operation. If so, and I have no reason to doubt them, then it looks like Delta would be the oldest chapter in continuous operation.

Would a chapter that either reorganized or is recolonize - yet never closed per say (i.e. the charter is never pulled) - be considered as continuous?

If there are any hold over members, then of course the chapter is still active. What I wounder about is something along this line.

A chapter has all their current active members (i.e. still attending the college) go alum at the end of say the spring 2007 semester. Then in the fall of 2007, there is a new pledge class and members.

AOII's oldest in continual operation would be our fourth chapter, Omicron. Omicron was founded at the University of Tennessee on April 14, 1902.

i'm guessing our oldest on campus would be Psi U - it's existed continuously here since 1843, the university opened in 1831. The next oldest is Alpha Delt, 1856.

My bad, your fraternity IS better than mine. Our gamma chapter was chartered in 1842, and has never left campus, been un-recognized, disbanded...etc. since. If you can say that about all the chapters below (which you clearly can't, not even one of them), then you're way WAY cooler than me.

As for starting to re-write my pledge manual. Thats hilarious, Beta is probably in your pledge manual more than Alpha Delt itself.

Aren't you guys co-ed anyway? hilarious.

PS, and Kappa Sigma was founded in the 1400's.

Ohh yeah? Well, you have a dragon as one of your symbols.



Kidding ;)

So?

Kidding ;)




Lion vs. Dragon
Eagle vs. Owl
Kite vs. Dagger
Anchor vs. Key


http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/mba0295l.jpg

Never said we were better, just older(of course, we ARE cooler:). And no we aren't coed, but I'm not sure how that would affect your false contention. And no self-respecting fraternity should let someone else define their validity. I guess I should take you at your word, but you shouldn't have to do the same.

I am thinking, that if something as prestegious or monumental as 'longest fraternity chapter in continuous existance' was something that Alpha Delta Phi owned, it'd be published all over the place. However, it's not. So, until you can prove what you brag so much about (Mother chapter, Alpha Chapter, or whatever you call it), it holds no water with me. Considering, that even your Mother chapter's website indicates it just got back on campus.

So, put out some stats, or shut your suck-hole. Still waiting on your list above. Completely ludicris, and I'm not talking about the rapper.

Beta Bombast
 

We don't claim to be the oldest because we are not. Perhaps you should re-read my postings as I never claimed to have to oldest. I only claimed that you weren't. I believe that, based on what information that is out there, that our Hamilton Chapter is fourth oldest, but I'd be happy to recant when given reasonable proof. I've used Baird's as evidence, you've used........nothing so far????
YOU claimed to have the oldest continuous chapter. Where I come from, that means YOU are responsible for providing proof of your contention, not me. I provided evidence to the contrary, your response is "shut my suck-hole"?? OUCH!! I guess you've told me!!!!
Would page numbers from Baird's be enough for you?? What happened to Mr. Knox's "man of principle"?


YOU MADE A CLAIM! I CALLED YOU OUT!! YOU GAVE US.......NOTHING BUT INSULTS. There truly is no delusion like self-delusion!

Mr. Knox didn't create the 'Man of Principle', a bunch of old wealthy alumni did in the 90's. As for the topic of this discussion, I guess you've mis-read what we're discussing here: "Oldest chapter in continual operation".

"Oldest Chapter in Continual Operation" would be to me that it's the fraternity or sorority chapter that was chartered earlier than any other chapter which has never been inactive, shut down, disbanded or off campus.

HENCE: Gamma Chapter of Beta Theta Pi, chartered (or established, it's not like we had conventions back then where they had 1,000 in attendance to applaud the chartering) on June 1, 1842 - AND IT'S NEVER BEEN INACTIVE, not even for one day. That meets the requirements of this topic. It's not a bragging thing, it's just factual.

Now, if you're stating that your Mother chapter, and 4 other ADPhi chapters are older - well, no kidding. We all can read a timeline of events in the Bairds Manual (Yes, and you're welcome, Baird was a Beta). However, each of those chapters have had inactive periods, thus not meeting the requirements of the question.

Just because you have 'older' chapters and they MAY BE open today, doesn't mean it was 'continuious'.

Do you see what is going on here? I'll even re-post the original question for you to re-read:

Sir, your rudeness is only exceeded by your bullheadedness. I don't need a lecture from you on what we are talking about. Perhaps you do. College "recognition" is not how most fraternities would define an active chapter. Some do. Are your Canadian chapters somehow"Inactive" because most Canadian schools choose not to have a relationship? Amherst claims to be fraternity-free, yet five chapters exist there. Or I guess they don't, in your world:)
You've chosen to ignore the evidence your own brother has provided us. Nothing I say will change your mind, and I am sure you will continue to delude your pledges with your incorrect statements. Just don't expect anyone else to buy into it. I have proven that Kappa Alpha's Union Chapter appears to be the oldest continously operational chapter. You've proven that you feel evidence is irrelevant. I'm just glad you're not representing AD. I await your undoubtedly rude, disprovable response.

Settle it with boxing gloves behind the house.

Not sure what you're talking about below about my own brother...but anyway, last I checked, KA was inactive at Union since 2003 and I don't recall this 'evidence' that you speak of. So, how can they be the 'Oldest Chapter in Continual Operation'? I think your Bairds Manual is a little out of date, eventhough I do realize your looking at the latest and greatest edition. But, you need to update your facts.

PS: Kappa Alpha - Union & Williams (both inactive, Williams since 1983)

I need some munchies for this!!!

I was quoting Baird's but you are right, it is getting old. You mention KA, because it fits your argument, but here are the links for most of the active chapters I mentioned in my last post.
Psi Upsilon-Union Chapter http://www.psiu.org/fr/index.htm
Delta Phi -NYU Chapter http://www.deltaphi.org/doc/chapters.cfm
Sigma Phi Union& Hamilton Chapters http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigma_Phi
Lambda Iota Vermont http://www.lambdaiota.org/

I have personally visited both Hamilton and Union many times over the last thirty years, and both have been in constant operation during that time. Hamilton College withdrew recognition, but the chapter operated as normal that entire time. I have extended you the courtesy of believing that your chapter dates continuously from 1842, please extend me the same courtesy.

And, glad we could entertain the rest of you:) I just don't suffer oldest, biggest best statements very well, as some of you may have noticed from some of my earlier posts.

Ahhhh. Now we reach the heart of the confusion, and why it will be impossible to determine a true answer to "continuous" operation.

Very confusing if you say the University booted them; or stopped recognizing them - and they "continued" to meet and stuff.

So, if your chapter gets shut down by nationals or the campus itself, and you continue to meet with your brothers; hang out, party, etc. That counts as staying operational and alive? That would mean pretty much every chapter booted is still "operational" in a sense.

Well, I guess if you're going to stretch it that far, the Flat Hat Club, errrrrrrr, Kappa Sigma has us all beat - they're back to the 1400's. That is unless you trace your ancestory back 10-20 generations and use that as your founding date.

Enough of this.

You're thinking of the Alpha Delta Phi Society, formed in 1992 by four chapters of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity that desired to be co-ed. The two groups are separate, but share a license to the name Alpha Delta Phi.

It was meant to be a joke....

Sorry -- the humor must have been filtered out on my computer.

Damn filters :)

Go Alpha!!
 

Alpha chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota is still running strong.

Alpha chapter of Phi Sigma Pi was closed down in 1978 but was re-established in 2000.



Dang, I love those founders!! :D

Our Alpha chapter was founded 11/4/1899, closed in 1977, and then reorganized in 1987 - still operating.

HOWEVER, our oldest continual chapter is our sixth chapter, Zeta, at Lock Haven U at PA. Founded 4/7/1921! 86 years :)

Abilene Alpha, Kansas. 76 years strong.

If the GLO's HQ recognizes the chapter (not the chapter stating such, only HQ) then the chapter may claim to be in continuous operation.

Continuous operation:
GLO HQ continuous recognition of chapter / University continuous recognition of chapter
GLO HQ continuous recognition of chapter / University does not recognition chapter at any/some point in time

Non-continuous operation:
GLO HQ does not recognition chapter at any/some point in time / University continuous recognition of chapter
GLO HQ does not recognition chapter at any/some point in time / University does not recognition chapter at any/some point in time

I posted this question before, and sense no one replied to it, I'll ask again. Would a chapter that either reorganized or is recolonize - yet never closed per say (i.e. the charter is never pulled) - be considered as continuous?

If there are any hold over members, then of course the chapter is still active. What I wounder about is something along this line.

A chapter has all their current active members (i.e. still attending the college) go alum at the end of say the spring 2007 semester. Then in the fall of 2007, there is a new pledge class and members. Would this be considered continuous?

ETA: Added "some" to the following: "...does not recognition chapter at any point in time" such that it now reads "does not recognition chapter at any/some point in time". I didn't intend the emphasis to be any, but some.

Good questions, but I think it's more cut/dry than that. If you have a charter, you're a chapter. No charter, no chapter. To answer your question: I posted this question before, and sense no one replied to it, I'll ask again. Would a chapter that either reorganized or is recolonize - yet never closed per say (i.e. the charter is never pulled) - be considered as continuous? I think that if the charter is not pulled, then they're still a chapter. If the charter is pulled, then they can't be an 'active' chapter.