History
     Phi Upsilon Omicron Fraternity is today a national honor society in family and consumer sciences.  It began in 1909 at the University of Minnesota as the Home Economics Club, with the intent of service, professional study and advancement of home economics.  On May 17, 1911, the Home Economics Club was disbanded and Phi Upsilon Omicron came into being and the Alpha Chapter was legally incorporated on December 12, 1911.
     The Beta Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron Fraternity had its beginnings at North Dakota Agricultural College (NDAC) as a local sorority, Chi Gamma Psi.  They originally organized in 1912, "with the purpose of promoting high scholarship and a more perfect fellowship and understanding between faculty and students." (1914 Agassiz)  In 1913 they petitioned the Alpha Chapter for a charter.  Since  nothing was heard for, in the early fall of 1914, two members of Chi Gamma Psi took the train to Minneapolis-St. Paul to present their case for a charter in Phi Upsilon Omicron.  A few weeks after returning to Fargo, they received the news that the charter had been granted and the Beta Chapter at NDAC was to be installed on November 14, 1914 in the parlor of the Annex Hotel (began the Gardner Hotel) consisting of twelve charter members.  Within a few years, graduates of NDAC who were former members of Phi Upsilon Omicron began the Beta Alumnae Chapter.  Although it was not formally organized until 1922, their activities date back to 1919.
     In 1918, after receiving approval from the Board of Regents, the Beta Chapter rented a sorority house, four blacks from campus.  In 1920 they bought a house on Twelfth Avenue (1414 12th Avenue North) and in 1926 they sold the house to Kappa Psi fraternity.  The money from the sale was invested and by 1954 the funds were in access of $5,000.  The Phi U. Alumnae and Actives gave this money to furnish the Founder's Room in the then new Home Economics building.
     The purpose of Phi Upsilon Omicron is to "advance and upbuild [sic] the science of Home Economics and to further its development throughout the Nation:  As a science it represents a comparatively new field of endeavor, but it is one which will surely become of utmost importance." (1923 Agassiz)

Scope and Content Notes
    The Chapter records includes histories of the Chapter, Constitution and Bylaws, articles of incorporation, sorority house (1920-1926), initiation scrolls, installation of officers, rituals, chapter and guest books, a cookbook, various form letters, Newsletters (1924-1942), and various activities.  Within the general heading of Chapter records are the: Meeting Minutes consisting of four bound journals covering 1918-1923, 1923-1924, 1949-1950, and 1981-1987; Financial records which contain bound Account Books (1920-1945, 1948-1983), financial reports (1966-1972), receipt forms (1976, 1978), treasurer's reports (1979-1989), audit (1985-1986), bank statements (1987-1992), and ledgers (1988-1990, 1990-1991); and Correspondence include letters to/from Chapter Presidents (1924-1957) and Vice Presidents (1950s), members, business concerns (1923-1930), fiftieth anniversary, and general correspondence (1940s-1950s)

    The Beta Alumnae records include: bylaws, meeting minutes (1928-1934, 1952-1987, 1995-1999 [gaps]), financial records (1923-1935, 1976-2001), Newsletters (1929-1936, 1982, 1985, 1999), ratings and annual reports (1924-1957 [gaps]), and chapter books (1932-1957). Initiate and Member records consist of listings of initiates from 1925 through 1952, member/alumni listings from 1915 through 1987, and letter deactivating chapter in 2000.

    National records include information and photograph on national Conclaves (meetings), books/monographs, and phonograph albums.

    The Scrapbook Series consists of 26 scrapbooks from 1919 through 1990.  These scrapbooks present an overview of the fraternity's activities during a seventy-year period.  The scrapbooks contain photographs, news clippings, member biographies, yearly activity programs, cards, correspondence, award and banquet programs and flyers, and special event programs.  Some of the scrapbooks are in excellent shape while others may not be handled at this time.

BOX 1

1 Finding Aid

Beta Chapter Records (1918-1992)

2 Histories of the Beta Chapter - 1920, 1940, 1958, 1967, 1979, 1 n.d
3 Constitution - Rev., 1989
4 Bylaws of Beta Chapter - April 2, 1989
5 Articles of Incorporation of the Beta Chapter of the Phi Upsilon Omicron Fraternity - Agricultural College, North Dakota. April 24th, 1923
6 Phi Upsilon Omicron House - letter (copy) from President Ladd granting permission to "conduct a sorority house" - 1918;
        inventory - n.d.; 2nd Mortgage and sale of house responses & proxies - 1924, 1925; finances & receipts - 1922-1929.

   Scroll - The Initiation Service - long version - n.d. (Oversized - Removed to Box 3)
   Scroll - The Initiation Service - brief version - n.d. (Oversized - Removed to Box 3)

7 Procedures: installation of officers - 1982
8 Founder's Day Ritual - n.d.; Ritual for Regular Meetings - n.d.
9 Active Chapter Book - 1957-1958
10 Active Chapter Book - 1958-1959
11 Guest Book - White - 1960s & 1970s
12 Guest Book - Fabric - c. 1969-1970
13 Guest Book - Blue - loose pages -1984-1985
14 Kook-Keys: Containing Choice Recipes and Menu Suggestions.  Compiled by Beta Chapter, Phi Upsilon Omicron,

         1930. [TX715.K66 1930]
15 Form Letters, invitation to apply, acceptance letter, stationery, membership certificate, sidekicks, aids to membership -
        1991,1992
16 Active Members - Newsletters - 1924-1942
17 Articles submitted from Beta Chapter to the Candle - 1970s
18 Community Service Award materials - 1987-1991
19 Professional Project - Beta Chapter - "Communications - The C.H.E. Key" - 1992

Meeting Minutes (1918-1987)

20 Secretary's Book - Active - Meeting Minutes - 1918-1923
     Secretary's Book - Active - Meeting Minutes - 1923-1924 [Oversized  -  Removed to Box 3)
21 Meeting Minutes - Active - Spiral Notebook - April, 1949 - March, 1950

22 Recording Secretary's Book - Active - Meeting Minutes - September, 1981 - May, 1987
 
Financial Materials (1920-1991)

23 Bound Account Book - 1920-1945
24 Bound Account Book - 1948-1983
25 Financial Report - May, 1966 - April, 1968 - Northwest Audit Company
26 Financial Report - May, 1968 - April, 1972 - Northwest Audit Company
27 Receipts - national dues - c.1976, 1978
28 Treasurer Reports - 1979-1989
29 Audit - 1985-86
30 Bank Statements - 1987-1992
31 Ledger - Blue cover - 1988-1990
32 Ledger - Red Cover - 1990-1991
 
Correspondence (1923-1958)

33 Correspondence - Chapter Presidents - 1924-1957 (gaps)
34 Correspondence - Chapter Vice Presidents - 1951, 1952
35 Correspondence - Members - 1930s, 1950s
36 Correspondence - Ruth Bruegger - President, Beta Alumnae - 1957
37 Correspondence - Emily Reynolds - 1951-1954
38 Correspondence - Business - 1923-1930
39 Correspondence - 50th Anniversary - 1958
40 Correspondence - General - 1940s-1950s

Beta Alumnae (1923-1957)
 
41 Alumnae - Constitutions & Bylaws - Phi Upsilon Omicron - n.d.
42 Beta Alumnae - Minutes - December 1919 - May 1928
43 Beta Alumnae - Minutes - June 1928 - January 1934
44 Beta Alumnae - Minutes - 1952-1987 [gaps]
45 Beta Alumnae - Minutes - 1995-1999 [gaps]
46 Beta Alumnae - Executive Committee Minutes - 2000

BOX 1A

1 Beta Alumnae - Financial Statements, Reports, Receipts, Correspondence - 1923-1935 [gaps]
2 Beta Alumnae - Ledger Book - April 1976 - January 2001
3 Beta Alumnae - Bank Statements - September 1982 - January 1983, October 1991 - December 2000
4 Beta Alumnae - Treasurer Reports - 1992, 1993, 1996-2000
5 Beta Alumnae - Alumnae Newsletter - 1929-1936, 1982, 1985, 1999
6 Beta Alumnae - Alba Bales Scholarship Winners - 1959-60, 1984-85
7 Beta Alumnae - Descriptive Ratings - 1937-1951, 1953
8 Beta Alumnae - Annual Report - 1924-1928, 1934-1953 [gaps]
9 Alumnae Chapter Book - 1932-1933
10 Alumnae Chapter Book - 1936-1937
11 Alumnae Annual Report - 1940
12 Alumnae Annual Report - 1941
13 Alumnae Annual Report - 1942
14 Alumnae Chapter Book & Annual Report - 1942-1943
15 Alumnae Chapter Book & Annual Report - 1943-1944
16 Alumnae Chapter Book - 1945-1946
17 Alumnae Chapter Book - 1946-1947
18 Alumnae Chapter Book - 1947-1948
19 Alumnae Chapter Book & Annual Report - 1948-1949
20 Alumnae Chapter Book & Annual Report - 1949-1950
21 Alumnae Chapter Book & Annual Report - 1950-1951
22 Alumnae Chapter Book & Annual Report - 1951-1952
23 Alumnae Chapter Book & Annual Report - 1952-1953
24 Alumnae Chapter Book & Annual Report - 1953-1954
25 Alumnae Chapter Book & Annual Report - 1954-1955
26 Alumnae Chapter Book & Annual Report - 1955-1956
27 Alumnae Chapter Book & Annual Report - 1957
28 Beta Alumnae - Deactivation of Chapter - November 2000

National Related (1920-1980s)

29 National Conclaves - 1920, 1921, 1922, 1924, 1936, 1938
30 National Conclaves - 1940, 1942, 1948, 1951, 1952
31 National Conclave - Fargo - June 1958; June 1998
32 Phi Upsilon Omicron, A History 1909-1944
33 Ten Women of Vision in Home Economics - Gamma Alumni Chapter, Ohio State, c.1986
     Record Album - 78 rpm - "Cavalcade of America" - parts 3 and 6 - March 15, 1948 (Oversized - Removed to Box 3)
    Phonograph Records - 33 1/3 rpm - Phi Upsilon Omicron Songs - sung by Kappa Chapter - c. 1962 [2 copies] - cost         $3.70 each (Oversized - Removed to Box 3)

BOX 2

Initiate and Member Records (1915-1987)

1 Initiates - 1925 - 1956 (box 3)
2 Initiate Album - Beige with gold lettering - April, 1957 - November, 1982
    Account with Members who graduated 1920s-1960s (Inner Box A)
    Membership Cards - Professional Work - 1915-1931 [gaps]; Charter
    Members addresses, Honorary Members list, Alphabetical listing of past members with current address and name changes 

    - information updated as of 1958;Membership and Addresses - Initiation dates: 1968, 1970-1979 (Inner Box B)
3 Membership - 1980
4 Membership - 1981
5 Membership - 1982
6 Membership - 1985
7 Membership - 1986
8 Membership - 1987

BOX 3 - Scrapbooks (1919-1943)

     No Title or cover - Scrapbook - 1919-1926 - news clippings, photos (Lake party, 1925, 1926; Phi U Formal, American 

           Legion Hall, 1925; Phi Upsilon Omicron Chapter House, n.d.; Ceres Hall, n.d.; Campus View - Engineering buildings,

           n.d.; Aerial, n.d.; H.S. track meet at Dacotah Field, n.d.
    Scrapbook - "Beta Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron 1928" - loose beige pages - 1) Beta Phi Upsilon Omicron Alumnae,

           2) Beta of Phi Upsilon Omicon Actives, 3) Honorary Members, 4) Scrap Book - North Dakota Agricultural College
          Campus Views (Chemistry Building, House - Wesley College School of Religion, Administration Building, Main Gates,
          Library, Practice House, Dairy Building, Veterinary Building, Engineering Buildings, Agricultural Buildings, Engineering
          Building, Frances Hall Extension Department, Science Hall [Side View], Science Hall [Front View], Music Hall,

          Chemistry Building, Experimental Plots.
    "Phi U Scraps" - green covered felt material - Photos and information on members, newspaper clippings - Class of 1930,

           Class of 1931, Class of 1932, Class of 1933
    Phi Upsilon Omicron - Scrapbook - 1934-1935 - News clippings, Graduating Seniors 1935 (photos, bios, activities

           during school and after graduation)
    Black Loose-leaf - materials in Mylar enclosures - Beta Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron - History Book - Dates 1935-

           1939 - news items, Graduating Seniors 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939 [handwritten] (photos, bios, activities during school

           and after graduation), photos of Ceres and Practice House
    Album (tan/green - 9 x 6) - "Beta - Phi U" - The History Of -  1939-1940 - news clippings, Graduating Seniors 1940

           (photos, bios, activites during school)
    Scrapbook - tan with red left border - History of Beta Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron - 1940-1941 - The Years

           Activities, News Items 1940-41; Phi U District Conference, Graduating Seniors 1941 (photos, bios, activities during

           school and after graduation)
    Scrapbook - black cover - History of Beta Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron - 1941-1942 (Irene Josephson-Historian,

           Genevieve Hamilton-Assistant) -  Yearly Program of Activities, Newsletter, 1942; News Items 1941-42; Graduating

           Seniors 1942 (photos, bios, activities after school)
    Scrapbook- History of Beta Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron - 1942-1943 (Genevieve Hamilton-Historian, Bette
           Eckre--Acting Historian, & Janet Petersen--Assistant) - Scrapbook - Newsletter, 1943; News Items 1942-43;

           Graduating Seniors 1943 (photos, bios, activities during school and after graduation)

BOX 4 - Scrapbooks (1944-1966)

    Scrapbook - beige with word scrapbook centered in gold - History 1944-'45 - photos, invitations, events, Graduating

           Seniors 1945 (bios, photos, school activities, occupation)
    Scrapbook - beige with yellow flowers - front cover off - 1946-1947, 1947-1948 - photos, invitations, events -

           Graduating Seniors 1946-1947, 1947-1948 (bios, photos, school activities, plans)
    Scrapbook - [10 inches x 6½] - 1948-49 photos, clippings, events - Graduating Seniors 1949 (photos, bios, school

           activities, plans for the future)
    Scrapbook - [10 inches x 6½] - 1949-50 photos, clippings, events - Graduating Seniors 1950 (photos, bios, school

           activities)
    Scrapbook - [10 inches x 6½] - 1950-51 photos, clippings, events - Graduating Seniors 1951 (photos, bios, school

           activities)
    Scrapbook - brown cover - [10 inches x 6½] - 1951-52 photos, clippings, events - Graduating Seniors 1952 (photos,

           bios, school activities)
    Scrapbook - maroon - 1956-57 - year activities, news clippings, programs, Graduating Seniors 1957 (photos, bios,

           school activities, and future plans)
    Scrapbook - Blue with gold lettering - 1957-58 - news clippings, programs, Graduating Seniors 1958 (photos, bios,

           school activities)
    Scrapbook - red with scrapbook in gold - 1960-1961 - news clippings, programs, cards, correspondence
    Scrapbook - black with scrapbook in gold -1962-63, 1961-1962 - news clippings, programs, cards, correspondence.
    Scrapbook - light green cover - Phi Upsilon Omicron - 1964-65, 1965-66, 1966-1967 - news clippings, photos,

           programs.

BOX 5 - Scrapbooks (1967-1990)

     Scrapbook - Beige with gold lettering - 1966-67 - Seniors (bios, photos, school activities)
     Scrapbook - 1969-1971 - red cover - articles, photos, mitten party, national conclave, programs, clippings
     Scrapbook - 1972-1982 - Beige with gouges cover - program for the year, National Conclave, Gift to NDSU, awards,
        banquets, photos, cards, programs
     Scrapbook - Phi U - blue - "This scrapbook is a bit of this & a tad of that of yesteryear & recent past.  It is a collection of
        programs, reports, Phi U events from 1976 - 1984.  There are also some older clippings & reports that seemed to

        belong in a scrapbook .. So enjoy!!  Jan Ljungren 1984-85 Phi Upsilon Omicron Historian 
    Scrapbook - Violet Fabric with Phi-U 85-86 stitched on cover - photos, program for the year, community project,

         Founder's Day, professional project
    Scrapbook - 1987-1990 - red cover - program for the year, photos, chatter  party, Founder's Day Banquet, Family

         Appreciation Day,  National  Conclave (Ohio State), fund raiser, Little I, NDSU Centennial
 
 

1/1998
rev. 6/2001
 

univarchives@www.lib.ndsu.nodak.edu University Archives, 701-231-8914 Published by the University Archives, NDSU Last Updated: 5/19/04