Fraternities and Greek Letter Societies records

Fraternities played a significant role in the social fabric of Bowdoin College for over a century, fostering camaraderie and offering spaces for student engagement. Many fraternities established during this period reflected broader trends in collegiate life across the United States, evolving from local clubs to chapters of national organizations.

Alpha Delta Phi was the first fraternity at Bowdoin, established in 1841, marking the beginning of the fraternity system on campus. Over the years, numerous other fraternities formed, such as Alpha Rho Upsilon in 1946, which grew out of the Thorndike Club, and Beta Theta Pi, which was founded in 1900, originating from a local fraternity, The Sword and Shield, established in 1899. Other fraternities included Chi Psi, which first appeared in 1844 but died out by the late 1860s and was reestablished in 1919; Delta Upsilon, founded in 1857, which had a similar trajectory of dissolving in the 1860s before reestablishing in 1892 and later becoming Delta Sigma in 1951; and Kappa Sigma, founded in 1895, which transitioned into Alpha Kappa Sigma in 1965.

As campus culture evolved, some fraternities ceased to exist, such as Sigma Nu, which existed from 1918 to 1971, and Alpha Tau Omega, which remained active from 1929 until 1962. Others, like Theta Delta Chi and Zeta Psi, had multiple periods of activity, with the former first being established in 1854 and reemerging in 1872 after a brief dissolution in the 1860s.

In the late 20th century, Bowdoin College underwent a significant shift in its approach to student organizations and social life. Amid growing concerns over inclusivity and equity, the college began re-evaluating the role of fraternities on campus. In 1997, Bowdoin made the landmark decision to phase out its fraternity system entirely, citing a desire to foster a more inclusive and equitable community. This decision marked the end of an era, as Bowdoin became one of the first liberal arts colleges to completely abolish fraternities, replacing them with a residential house system aimed at offering a more inclusive and diverse social environment for students.