Delta Sigma Phi at U Pitt closing
 

So as I'm walking across campus today, I saw flyers that Delta Sigma Phi put up saying that they were cancelling rush because their chapter was closing, and thanked everyone for their support and fun over the years.

This really saddens me. Pitt's IFC is ridiculous. B/c of some stupid rules by the university (which there hasn't been a movement to change in some time), Fraternities cannot have a house off campus (the university has several "on campus" fraternity houses). Delta Sigs were one of a few that were grandfathered in (awesome house).

But it seems that fraternities that do not have a house on campus have absolutely no chance of being successful and pledging large numbers. Why, I don't know. But this really saddens me, especially b/c one of my first mixers as a KD was with the Delta Sigs.

Delta Chi is supposedly colonizing in a few weeks.... I truly wonder how that will go?

ETA: no reason was given for the closing, and I haven't heard any gossip. They haven't been a very big house that I can ever remember, always fairly small, but pretty cool guys.

That's so sad; I'm really sorry to hear that :(

Dani, how many fraternities that aren't on the Hill are still around? I know FIJI is gone (they had a gorgeous house). How about Phi Delta Theta and Pi Kappa Phi and Pi Lambda Phi?

I always liked the off campus houses much better; they have real personality and were more like you would picture a fraternity house to be. The houses on the Hill are pretty much just sterile dorms IMO.

WOW

This is the first i have heard of this. I'm going to try to figure out what happened. Last I heard they were good with numbers ect. I have no idea what it could be. I'll ask the IFC President and try to find out.

I know why, I'll pm you both!

I don't think Phi Delts are still there....
Pi Kaps are still around somewhere, but they've really gone a bit south since moving off the hill (to give their house back to ZBT)
Pi Lambs are still there, but unrecognized by the uni (so no sororities can mix witih them, they can't participate in IFC rush, etc.) b/c of some MAJOR isht they got themselves into a few years ago.

Last I heard Omega was in pretty bad shape; they were small and didn't participate in campus/greek events, which apparently they did by choice. And I didn't see them at convention.

I hope eventually we can recolonize there.

They usually didn't participate in greek week, they said b/c of the cost. Some years they would participate in certain events, like Greek Sing. My general conception of them is that they liked being friends, but didn't necessarily want to be as "greek" as other houses- i.e. doing some of the greek-y things.

I'm guess that the Pitt News will cover the story sometime soon, i'll post a link to it if they do. From what I've been told, it's certainly their own fault. Some not-too-bright ideas.

The houses on the hill are:
SAE
PIKE
SigEp
ZBT
Delts
Phi Kap
Sigma Chi

The offcampus houses are(to the best oif my recolection)
Kappa Sig
Lambda Chi Alpha
AEPi
TKE
Delta Phi
SAMMY
Delta Chi (not recognized or a colony)
Pi Lamda Phi (Not recognised)
Phi Sig
pi kap (maybe i forget)

The number of fraternities is down a lot since my freshman year. Many of the offcampus fraternities dont have "houses" they have a house that all brothers live in and they have parties in it. Because they have to register their off campus house its easier for them to not have one registered.

I'm stunned. I had no idea that there were so few fraternities at Pitt anymore!! When did FIJI close?

Wow. I can't wait to get home (where I have my address book) and let some of us oldtimers know!

Dont forget Tau Epsilon Phi! I think they are still a colony, but I am not sure.

Always sad to see a chapter close! :(

I believe FIJI closed in 96 or early 97 by their HQ...they were already on probation by the university. Phi Delts left in 1997 right before I started the fall semester of my freshman year.

Awww, too bad. :( I hate to hear of a fraternity/sorority closing.

:( I am very sorry to hear this. It is sad when a chapter anywhere has to close.

Donde?