Click above banner for the more info. The history of fraternities dates back to 1750. A group of students called themselves the Flat Hat Club and held regular weekly meetings as an alternative to their studies. The first Greek fraternity was formed in 1776. By now there were many social groups on campuses. One group at the College of William and Mary was Phi Beta Kappa started by a superior Greek scholar after being rejected by another group. This group was different from the others. They developed secret grips, mottoes, and badges. A code of rules surrounded by ritual was used by this first group designated with Greek letters. As it would have it, other groups soon formed following the style of Phi Beta Kappa and the Greek system was born. Delta Chi was started in 1890 at Cornell University by more than a dozen men including their first president, Owen Lincoln Potter. Once again, it was formed as an alternative to a dominating group on campus. To this day the mottoes, songs, symbols, and ritual of these first Delta Chi’s are used. Delta Chi started out as a law fraternity. The original members based their new fraternity’s ideals on that of Sir Edward Coke (pronounced Cook). Coke lived from 1552 to 1634 and held many positions of high judicial importance in England. A man of high moral and law, he held the opinion that even the king was not above the law (which was not a popular idea with the royalty). Much of our judicial system today is based on Coke’s ideas. Delta Chi has always been on the front of change. They were one of the first to require single membership and to become a general fraternity. In 1929, along with another fraternity, Delta Chi was the first to abolish hazing. As a way to connect all fraternities, NIC (National Interfraternity Conference) was started, and Delta Chi was there. Delta Chi along with many fraternities follows guide lines set up under FIPG (Fraternity Insurance Purchasing Group). These guide lines regulate much of the safety rules including regulations at social parties. Delta Chi has had many famous members including President Benjamin Harrison, many senators, and our most famous member, Kevin Costner. Delta Chi International Headquarters is located in Iowa City, Iowa. Our local chapter at UNI started in 1970. During this time several "local" chapters were joining national chapters to get all the true benefits of a fraternity. It was because of this that Phi Chi Omega chose to join Delta Chi after exploring several other national organizations. The chapter endured until 2003 when declining membership and lack of dedication forced its closure. The property is still owned by the Alumni and the hope is to recolonize in the near future. NI DChi Homepage