Hamilton Gazetteer / Entities / Psi Upsilon

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organization

Overview

Psi Upsilon (ΨΥ) is a Greek-letter social fraternity founded nationally at Union College in 1833. The Theta chapter at Hamilton College was established in 1843, making it the third oldest Greek organization at Hamilton and one of the earliest Psi Upsilon chapters in the country. The chapter maintained a residential house on or near campus through most of its history at Hamilton. In 1995, the Board of Trustees decision stripped all Hamilton fraternities of residential status; Psi Upsilon continued as a recognized non-residential social organization under the reformed ISC framework.

History at Hamilton

The Theta chapter was established in 1843. The 1946–47 college catalog lists Psi Upsilon (1843) among the nine fraternities then holding campus houses, ranking it third in seniority. The chapter was an active presence in student social life throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, referenced in Hamilton Life alongside other fraternities in coverage of receptions and informal dances.

The chapter encountered disciplinary trouble in the 1980s. In 1984, Psi Upsilon was suspended for two years following allegations of drug sale on campus. The suspension was documented in the February 1984 Spectator in the context of a broader drug investigation that began with thefts in South Dorm; police files were turned over to the administration and multiple students faced charges. By 1985, the closure of both Psi U and DKE had contributed to a campus housing shortage that required students to occupy converted dormitory spaces.

In autumn 1991, alumni of Psi Upsilon were involved in the governance debate over private societies. Jeb Becker ‘61, President of Psi Upsilon’s Board of Trustees, served as alumni chair of the joint ISC/ISAC committee formed to address sorority housing equity. The committee’s resolution called on the college to take a “more constructive view” of sorority housing requests.

When the March 1995 Trustee residential life decision was announced, Psi Upsilon member Kendall Brook ‘96 expressed disappointment, stating that “the fraternity houses are a very” significant part of campus identity (the quotation was cut off in the source). The chapter was among those required to vacate residential status by September 1995.

Notable Members

Notes