Chapter History

Albert Gallatin, Secretary of Treasury under Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, declared his intention to establish "in this immense and fast-growing city ... a system of rational and practical education fitting for all and graciously opened to all.” On April 18, 1831, an institution was established. Albert Gallatin was elected as the institution's first president. On April 21, 1831, the new institution received its charter and was incorporated as the University of the City of New York by the New York State Legislature. The university has been popularly known as New York University since its beginning and was officially renamed New York University in 1896. In 1832, NYU held its first classes in rented rooms of four-story Clinton Hall, situated near City Hall. It became one of the nation's largest universities in 1917. Today it boasts two campuses in Brooklyn and Washington Square. In 1950, NYU was elected to the Association of American Universities, a nonprofit organization of leading public and private research universities. The university logo, an upheld torch designed in 1965, is derived from the Statue of Liberty, signifying NYU's service to New York City.  

Greek Life at NYU began with the founding of Alpha Epsilon Phi Fraternity in 1903 on campus. Since then the NYU Fraternity and Sorority Community has grown to 27 chapters, including seven National Panhellenic Conference sororities with the addition of Eta Phi chapter of Delta Gamma Fraternity.

The chapter’s establishment included events led by Samantha Reyes and Lauren Isaacs, Collegiate Development Consultants assigned to support the new chapter, “infoviews” between potential members, Fraternity staff and volunteers, and a preference event with sisters from Zeta Theta-Columbia chapter. The establishment events culminated on February 21, 2016 with the pledging of the founding members of Eta Phi-NYU chapter and a Bid Day celebration. It was a spectacular week of preparation and implementation by Fraternity Director of Extension & Consultants, Lorie Holt and Fraternity Extension Specialist, Hannah Nugent, along with many volunteers.

Eta Phi chapter and their 137 founding members join the sisterhood of over 246,000 living members with their April 21, 2016 Initiation and Installation. This day Eta Phi celebrates becoming Delta Gamma’s 197th chapter since 1873, and the 147th active chapter of Delta Gamma on college campuses today.

Eta Phi-New York University

January 2022