The Only Non-Secret Fraternity

In relation to other fraternities, DU differs in a major way because it is non-secret.  Since our founding in 1834, we have made public the ideals and principles that guide our existence.  Unlike other fraternities, Delta Upsilon tells you everything that you or your parents want to know about our pledgeship, initiation rites, and what will be expected from you as a member.  Initiation is a very special occasion.  While others perform their rites of initiation behind closed doors, we encourage pledges to invite their parents and friends to witness the moment we receive pledges into our brotherhood.  Also, unlike other fraternities we can tell you what our Greek letters stand for.  Feel free to ask any of our brothers.

Leadership in Delta Upsilon and Beyond

As men of Delta Upsilon, we continue to stress the things that have helped our growth.  We stress academic and excellence in leadership.  We also encourage community and school involvement, as well as an active social life.  Our goal is to have every brother involved with another organization on campus.  We consistently perform as the best fraternity on campus.  Being a leader in the University and community is important to every member of Delta Upsilon.  Whether it is a position in the Chapter, Student Congress, Ambassadors, Admissions, or other Student Organizations, each and every member has the opportunity to be a leader on campus and in the community.  We strive to build better men and get each and every member involved in leadership at the same time.

What is Delta Upsilon about?

No Secrets...No Bizarre Rituals...No Hazing. Delta Upsilon prides itself on being called "The Gentlemen's Fraternity". Bringing out the best in YOU and helping YOU get the most of your College experience.

In short DU is about balance.  We strive to get the most out of life through: Friendship, Character, Culture, and Justice.  You will learn things about yourself you have never known, you will try things you have never tried, and have some of the best years of your life doing it!!!

Arlington Chapter History

Sigma Phi Beta was the original name of the Arlington Chapter of Delta Upsilon and was founded in Spring 1965. After having looked at the then existing groups at UTA, Miles Bryant, David Rogers, John Lemond, Harvey Atchinson and Henry Thomas, the founders of Sigma Phi Beta, could not find the one goal they were seeking, BROTHERHOOD.  Therefore, they founded Sigma Phi Beta on that one main principle, as our pledge’s greeting states:

“Brotherhood Eternal”

Sigma Phi Beta remained an off campus organization for approximately 2 ½ years, not becoming a member of I.F.C. until March 1, 1967, due to the fact that other local fraternities did not want additional competition. Throughout these rough years, Dr. Allan Saxe remained the faculty sponsor of Sigma Phi Beta. When Dean Horace Gillespie invited national fraternities to the UTA campus, Sigma Phi Beta became a member of I.F.C. on the condition that the local could find a national fraternity to affiliate with. By the time the national fraternities arrived in mid-march, Sigma Phi Beta was being courted by two national fraternities, Sigma Nu and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. The men of Sigma Phi Beta talked with seven of the eleven “nationals” that came to the campus and Sigma Phi Beta was the first choice of six of these national fraternities. At the request of Dean Gillespie, who later became the faculty sponsor, Sigma Phi Beta met with Delta Upsilon. By an unanimous vote, Sigma Phi Beta met with Delta Upsilon on March 31, 1967. Sigma Phi Beta became the first local fraternity at UTA to affiliate with a national fraternity. At this time, DU became a petitioning society and remained so, until we received our charter on May 2, 1969. Sigma phi beta actives were initiated during Rite II into Delta Upsilon actives on May 2, 1969. Rite I was held on May 3, 1969.

The first deputy of the new Arlington Chapter of Delta Upsilon was Frank Sanford. During the first semester of Sigma Phi Beta, the chapter took a two man pledge class. This was the first time a new local took a pledge class in their first semester on campus.

The Arlington Chapter of Delta Upsilon was also the first fraternity at UTA to have a house suitable for living in by its fraternity members. The other fraternities on campus bought lodges due to a school ruling against owning houses to be lived in that were situated on campus.

John Lemond and Miles Bryant met with the alumni and internationals and decided to wait, until such time as a house could be bought. In the summer of 1969, the fraternity acquired the old Thorton Home at 719 W. Abram St. , which today is the oldest standing house in Arlington . On December 31, 1980, Delta Upsilon celebrated the final house payment in a note burning party. Delta Upsilon became the only fraternity at UTA to own its land and its house. The house has been subjected to continuous remodeling ever since, and it has become tradition for each pledge class to make improvements of some kind to the house as an official pledge project.

In years past, the fraternity had marched each spring in the American Caner Society’s annual fund-raising drives. When one of the brothers, Jimmy Turner, died of cancer in 1970, the fraternity made efforts to become more deeply involved in the work of the Cancer Society against this disease. Thus, in fall of 1970, Delta Upsilon put on the first DU Haunted House, a fund-raising project for the American Cancer Society. Soon after, the proceeds began to benefit Cooks Children’s Medical Center : Cancer Center . Haunted House had grown each year in complexity and reputation. It was a well-known Halloween event both on campus and throughout the community.

A semester previous to the first Haunted House, the DU’s held an all school Go-cart race entitled the “DU Derby”, which most of the other fraternities and other student organizations on campus participated in. Since that spring of 1970, the “ Derby ” had grown into the “DU Spring Festival”, which included games, athletic events, beauty contests and a big dance in the evening for all participants. This event has grown into a much bigger event that is now called “Greek Week” wherein all recognized Greek fraternities and sororities participate in weeklong events.

The Chapter celebrated its 35th anniversary April 30th, 2004, which brought alumni from as far back as the 70’s to even the president of International Headquarters, Ed Porter, Oklahoma ‘65.

Over the past thirty six years the Arlington Chapter of Delta Upsilon has grown and prospered in every aspect that a fraternity can grow. Traditions have been formed through our years such as our Hawaiian party, canoe trip, turkey bowl, and singing “Colonel Rooper’s Troopers.”