Zeta Theta - Local Chapter History

 

In the Year 2000, four freshmen (Brian Foster, Anthony DeAngelis, Christopher Vece, Jay Nasta) living on the FIGS (Freshman Interest Group) floor of Hulbert Hall decided that they wanted to join a fraternity to enhance their leadership roles on the SUNY Oneonta Campus.

The problem with their decision was that there were no social Fraternities recognized by SUNY Oneonta. This major setback was frustrating to the four freshmen that wanted to be recognized by the school for their efforts in leadership, fellowship, scholarship, friendship, and service at the College and in the surrounding community.

Disgusted by the efforts of unrecognized groups to Rush the four freshmen to join their so-called “Fraternities”, the four decided to take into account all of the wrong-doings of unrecognized Fraternal organizations and create a Fraternity for the SUNY Oneonta Campus that exemplifies what membership in a fraternity is truly about.

With three years of a combined effort, the four freshmen researched bringing potential National Fraternities to the SUNY Oneonta Campus. Disappointed with what many National Fraternal Organizations could offer to members as well as Campus community, the four decided to look into the creation of a local Fraternity unique to The SUNY Oneonta Campus. The interest group was named Xi Alpha Phi.

Soon after the formation of the Xi Alpha Phi interest group, the four young men were approached by the Chi Phi Fraternity National Office. Chi Phi had taken a liking to the values upheld by Xi Alpha Phi.
Xi Alpha Phi soon had 20 other leaders from the SUNY Oneonta campus behind them in their cause. After many long days and even longer nights, Xi Alpha Phi was colonized by the Chi Phi Fraternity on March 7, 2003.
On November 13, 2004 the Oneonta Colony was chartered as the Zeta Theta Chapter of the Chi Phi Fraternity.
We currently have 49 active brothers, as of Spring 2008. The brothers of the Zeta Theta Chapter are among some of the strongest leaders on the SUNY Oneonta campus. Many stretch their involvement from beyond the reigns of Greek life and reach out to help the campus as well as the local community.