Oldest chapter in continual operation

[AlwaysSAI]

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!!

[jennie3576]

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

[twotimestalia]

Abilene Alpha, Kansas. 76 years strong.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by banditone

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.

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.

[ZZ-kai-]

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.

Originally Posted by TSteven

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 point in time

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

[NutBrnHair]

Chi Omega's oldest chapter in continual operation is:

Rho Chapter, Sophie Newcomb College, Tulane Univ., 1900

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by ZZ-kai-

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.

It may vary from GLO to GLO. In many GLOs, the charter may not be "pulled" or the chapter "closed," so to speak, but the chapter is declared "inactive" or "dormant." If that chapter is later "reactivated" (it might be referred to as "recolonized" or "rechartered"), then the previously issued charter is still in place.

I would say a chapter can only claim to be "continuous" if it is continuously active as far as the GLO is concerned; an inactive or dormant chapter is continuous in name only, but not continuous in operation.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by tallgreekalum

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.

I appreciate the links you provided for us. However, I was unable to find anything specific regarding continual operation/existence. And if I missed the specific references, please accept my apology in advance.

To be clear, I do not question that any of these chapters might still be contentiously active since their founding (original charter date). Yet, since you are someone who doesn't - as you put it - "suffer oldest, biggest best statements very well", I'm sure you will appreciate that just providing a link that only lists the founding (charter) date does not necessarily support the claim that the chapter in question has been contentiously active since their founding. Again, I have no reason to doubt you. But the proof is in the pudding. So would you happen to have any specific references (from their HQ's perceptive would be best) stating such? It might help to settle this discussion.

And while it is quite commendable that the Vermont local fraternity Lambda Iota had it's founding in 1834, again their website does not say if they have been active every year since 1834. But even so, the original question is directed toward an organization that has more than one chapter. "What chapter in your group has never shut down". As such, if the Lambda Iota chapter is to be considered in this discussion, they would need to have at least one other chapter. It appears from their website that they do not.

[MysticCat]

Just recently learned that our oldest chapter in continuous operation is Delta at Ithaca College, chartered in 1901.