The 2004 UWO Homecoming marked the 20th anniversary
of the re-chartering of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. An event that
is ultimately responsible for the entire reemergence of a Greek
system at UWO.
During the 50’s and 60’s UWO had a number of fraternities
and sororities on campus. A Greek system that thrived until the mid
1970’s. During the Vietnam War, interest waned, membership
dropped and ultimately all of the houses had closed by approximately
1974-75.
I was a freshman at UWO in 1982 living in South Scott Hall. This is
where I met my roommate, John Kelly from Wilmette, IL. Many of John's
high school friends attending other universities were joining fraternities
at the time. Because there were no social fraternities or Sororities
at UWO, John came up with the idea to start one.
Over then next several months John and a handful
of others, primarily from Scott Hall, began asking friends and
roommates if they would be interested in joining. Within a few
weeks, approximately 30 other students were recruited to start
local chapter. The question was: which fraternity should we start?
After completing his daily studying, John grabbed a flashlight
and made his way across the parking lot to Wisconsin Ave. Written
in the cement sidewalk in front of the now defunct dance bar "The
Alibi" were the names of a number of Fraternities. He put
together a list and did some research.
One of the names on the list was the National fraternity; Delta Sigma
Phi. After contacting several of the fraternities, three showed interest
in our local chapter. Two followed up by sending representatives. We
were not impressed with the first group that came to visit. We were
hopeful that the second, Delta Sigma Phi would be more positive.
We were impatiently waiting in the basement of North Scoot Hall when
Eric Johansen of Delta Sigma Phi showed up. He was from California,
had bleached hair and clearly was into surfing. He had a very dynamic
and organized presentation. Immediately we all took a liking to him
and he seemed impressed with our group as well. It became clear to
us that they were the right choice.
The drinking age was 18 at the time. Obviously, it
was appropriate to celebrate this new found partnership by toasting
a glass at Kelly’s
on the Strip. The relationship became further cemented as Eric
picked up the tab for the full evening of merriment.
The national office of Delta Sigma Phi contacted several Delta Sig
alumni living in the area. Most notably was Jim Rath, a past president
of the Delta Sigma Phi chapter in Oshkosh. Several other alumni joined
to assist the national office in establishing the local chapter and
an ACB. In a rather short period of time, our fledgling group was colonized
the Epsilon Beta chapter of Delta Sigma Phi. The guidance and leadership
from the Alumni was very positive.
Shortly following the emergence of the Delta Sig's, a chapter of Gamma
Phi Beta was founded by Kelly Walsh. Ms Walsh, a freshman from Milwaukee
was enthusiastic about the fraternity and sorority community being
established. Similarly, the national office of Gamma Phi Beta also
contacted alumni that were living in the Oshkosh area to assist in
establishing the chapter.
Both the Delta Sig’s and Gamma Phi’s wanted to show there
colors so we bought jackets. The Delta Sig’s with the now infamous
green “bowling jacket” and the gamma’s with light
blue wind breakers. The impact on campus was significant. Within
a year, four other groups had colonized. Sigma Pi and Delta Chi
fraternities as well as Sigma Sigma Sigma and Alpha Z Delta sororities.
This was a very special time for the members of all of the chapters.
We were proud of the fact that we started something that had grown
so quickly and enthusiastically. In the first year, the Home Coming
parade was full of floats dwarfing those of the resident halls and
the Winter Carnival events were dominated by the Greek organizations.
As the individual organizations grew it seemed appropriate
to create an entity to promote the entire Greek system. I meet
with the presidents of each of the fraternities and sororities.
The UWO dean of students, Tom Segnitz also became our advisor.
The “Greek Council” was
formed with the mission to organize and promote all Fraternities
and sororities. I was elected President.
Shortly following, individuals representing the Greek system became
involved in other campus organizations and energized what seemed to
be anemic campus life at the time. Additionally, we began a long history
of philanthropy for both local and national causes.
That’s how it started. After speaking with
brothers at the reunion, one thing stood out with all of us. It was the time of our lives!
Respectfully submitted,
Eric J. Hafsoos
