History of Fraternity & Sorority Life

Fraternities and sororities have been a part of campus life at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) since 1896 when a local sorority was started. Since that time, most of the local fraternities and sororities merged with national organizations while others did not sustain.

UNI’s first nationally affiliated fraternity (Phi Sigma Epsilon now known nationally as Phi Sigma Kappa) came to campus in 1931, and in 1965, the university welcomed its first nationally affiliated sorority (Alpha Xi Delta).

Today, 12 chapters with over 400 members enjoy the experience of fraternity and sorority membership. With nearly 85 years of tradition and excellence, it is always great to be Greek at UNI!

Inter/National Fraternities

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (1965)
Kappa Sigma (1985)
Chi Phi (2023)
Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. (2008, Re-activated 2017-2023 *inactive)
Sigma Tau Gamma (1947-1978 *inactive)
Tau Kappa Epsilon (1955-2008 *inactive)

Sigma Phi Epsilon (1993-2023 *inactive)
Pi Kappa Alpha (1975-2022 *inactive)
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (1983, Re-activated 2016-2021 *inactive)‌
Delta Upsilon (1968-2007 *inactive)
Acacia (1968-1970 *inactive)
Delta Chi (1970-2003 *inactive)
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (1981-? *inactive)
Phi Sigma Kappa (1985-1998 *inactive)
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (1988-? *inactive)
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (1991-? *inactive)
Pi Kappa Phi (1999-2002 *inactive)
Pi Lambda Phi (2016-2017 *inactive)

Inter/National Sororities

Alpha Xi Delta (1965)
Alpha Delta Pi (1967)
Gamma Phi Beta (1968)
Alpha Phi (1970)
Alpha Sigma Tau (1969, Re-activated 2016)
Lambda Theta Alpha (2018)

Sigma Sigma Sigma (1966-1972 *inactive)
Alpha Chi Omega (1968-1987 *inactive)
Alpha Gamma Delta (1968-1979 *inactive)
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (1981-? *inactive)
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (2006-? *inactive)

Local Fraternities

Xanho (1898-1947)

Nationally affiliated with Sigma Tau Gamma

Able Hobo (1898-1925)

Changed name to Alpha Theta Beta

Alpha Chi Epsilon (1915-1965)

Nationally affiliated with Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Lambda Gamma Nu (1923-1955)

Nationally affiliated with Tau Kappa Epsilon

Alpha Theta Beta (1925-1931)

Formerly known as Able Hobo; Nationally affiliated with Phi Sigma Epsilon

Chi Pi Theta (1927-~1935)

Psi Omega (1964-1968)

Nationally affiliated with Delta Upsilon

Phi Chi Omega (1967-1970)

Nationally affiliated with Delta Chi

The data collected is based off of the UNI Office of Student Involvement records and the University Archives. If any information is missing or incorrect, please contact by calling 319-273-2683 or email us at involvement@uni.edu.

Local Sororities

Sigma Phi (1896-1918)

Merged with Nu Omicron Nu to form Nu Omicron Nu Sigma Phi

Nu Omicron Nu (1904-1918)

Merged with Sigma Phi to form Nu Omicron Nu Sigma Phi

Kappa Theta Psi (1904-1969)

First women's national sorority to be organized at Iowa State Normal School; Nationally affiliated with Alpha Sigma Tau

Alpha Beta Gamma (1906-~1943)

Delta Phi Delta (1908-1949)

Changed name to Delta Delta Phi

Pi Phi Omega (1910-1946)

As known as Phi Omega Pi (which was national name, but at UNI, they went by Pi Phi Omega)

Nu Omicron Nu Sigma Phi (1918-1950)

Merger of Nu Omicron Nu and Sigma Phi; Renamed Nu Sigma Phi in 1950

Phi Sigma Phi (1918-1970)

Nationally affiliated with Alpha Phi

Tau Sigma Delta (1920-1965)

Nationally affiliated with Alpha Xi Delta

Sigma Tau Delta (~1920-Unknown)

Pi Theta Pi (~1924-1968)

Nationally affiliated with Alpha Gamma Delta

Pi Tau Phi (1925-1967)

Nationally affiliated with Alpha Delta Pi

Theta Gamma Nu (~1927-1966)

Nationally affiliated with Sigma Sigma Sigma

Delta Delta Phi (1949-1968)

Formerly known as Delta Phi Delta; Nationally affiliated with Gamma Phi Beta

Nu Sigma Phi (1950-1968)

Formerly known as Nu Omicron Nu Sigma Phi; Nationally affiliated with Alpha Chi Omega