| Gamma Omicron History | |
The Founding of the Gamma Omicron Chapter The Gamma Omicron chapter of Delta Tau Delta was founded on Syracuse University campus in 1910. It grew out of a musical Fraternity called Phi Mu Alpha. Sinfonia, as it was known, was a national professional Fraternity primarily for music students. The Syracuse chapter was the Theta chapter of Sinfonia. In the time between 1905 and 1907, the Fraternity began taking on students with non-music majors as members. It was at this time that they began considering becoming members of a larger national social fraternity rather than a professional one. They then began what was to become a three-year crrespondence with Delta Tau Delta.
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Their first attempts to petition the Fraternity were in vain. Late in 1909, Delt began to show more and more interest and finally conceded to send a committee to Syracuse to "look over the chapter." This was a sign of progress but by no means a guarantee of a sure thing to the twenty-six men at Syracuse. Their letters reflected a feeling of desparation regarding this visit. It was the only thing standing between them and their charter. They were getting excited and impatient after such a long time and so many letters. This was looked upon as their last chance. The committee decided that if the Theta chapter of Sinfonia could conduct a successful rush in the fall of 1910, the charter would be granted. The rush was indeed successful and on November 10, 1910, fifty men were initiated into the Gamma Omicron chapter of Delta Tau Delta.
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| Almost forty years later Sidney Coleman, who was instrumental to the chapter's archives, in a letter to the active chapter, he referred to how they had "won the charter." His choice of words clearly illustrate the tremendous sense of accomplishment and pride those fifty men felt on that day. The Heyday of the Fraternity! | |
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| Another aspect that illustrates Fraternity life in the early twentieth century are the rules set by the University administration and Fraternity itself. An example of this were the restrictions placed on table manners. Not only was a dress code in effect (white shirt, starched collar and dinner jacket), but members were not to speak from one table to another without permission from the chapter President. His permission was also required to be excused from the room during dinner. Before each meal a grace was said and the meal was ended by the singing of Fraternity songs. This was done without fail. | |
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