About The Delta Upsilon Fraternity

History of Delta Upsilon
History of The Victoria Chapter
A Tradition of Non-Secrecy
A Motto To Be Proud Of
The Founding Principles of Delta Upsilon
Philanthropic Tradition

In 1825, the first collegiate secret society, the Kappa Alpha Society, was formed at Union College in Schenectady, New York. With the establishment of the Kappa Alpha Society, Union College became the first university in North America to have a secret society on its campus, known today as a fraternity. Shortly after the establishment of the Kappa Alpha Society other secret societies formed at Union College, Williams College and at Hamilton College. As the membership of these secret societies grew, chapters of the societies were established on neighboring campuses. Within a few short years the college fraternity system was established. Originally, these secret societies attempted to bring like-minded men together and create an environment in which these men could grow both socially and intellectually. Unfortunately, as these secret societies grew in size and influence, some of their principles became distorted. Their purpose changed from scholarly pursuits to securing privileges from college administrations by electing members to influential college offices. As a result of the manipulation of college administrations, members of secret societies were able to receive college honors regardless of their qualifications or knowledge. In order to keep their membership secret and prevent their activities from being revealed the secret societies used handshakes, code words, and mysterious rituals known only to their members. These secretive measures were taken to ensure outsiders would be unable to infiltrate their organizations. Only select students who met specific criteria and who underwent a secret initiation ritual were able to join these secret societies.

By the early 1830’s both college faculty and students became very concerned with the injustices being committed by some college fraternities. It was not until November 4, 1834 that the first anti-secret fraternity was formed at William’s College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Twenty men, all in the top ten percent of their class, came together to form a society based on merit, honesty, and integrity. This anti-secret society was first known as the Social Fraternity; later to be known as Delta Upsilon (1864). The original men of the Social Fraternity made public their constitution, membership list, principles, activities, and even their rituals. Within a decade of the first emergence of an anti-secret society, similar groups formed at Union College (1838), Hamilton College (1847), and Amherst College (1847).

In 1847 at the Troy Convention, the four anti-secret societies came together to form the Anti-Secret Confederation. The motto of this confederation was ouden adelon - Ouden Adelon or "Nothing Secret". News of the new Anti-Secret Confederation, formed by the Social Fraternities of Williams College, spread quickly among the academic community sparking interest among students discontent with the ever growing secret societies. This Anti-Secret Confederation attracted such prominent men as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen J. Field, U.S. President James A. Garfield, American Author Stephen Crane, and U.S. Vice President Charles Hughes. In 1852 at the Burlington Convention, three additional Chapters joined the Anti-Secret Confederation: Wesleyan College (1850), University of Vermont (1850), and Western Reserve University (1851). At the historic Middlebury Convention of 1864, the Anti-Secret Confederation approved the name Delta Upsilon as its official title. The member Chapters also adopted a unified constitution, set of principles, badge, motto, and coat of arms; all of which remains fundamentally the same to this day. At the 1881 Convention, Delta Upsilon changed its policy of Anti-Secrecy to Non-Secrecy. Most of the member Chapter agreed that the basic mission of anti-secrecy had been accomplished and their point had been successfully and dramatically proven.

Delta Upsilon became one of the first international fraternities on November 11, 1898 when it initiated into its membership the McGill University Chapter. With the introduction of Delta Upsilon at McGill University came the establishment of a strong fraternity presence across Canada. One year after the McGill Chapter was installed in Montreal, men at the University of Toronto came together to establish the Toronto Chapter (1899). In 1929 Delta Upsilon emerged at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. Within five years Delta Upsilon became one of largest men’s college fraternities in Canada with the installations of the University of Western Ontario Chapter (1931), University of British Columbia Chapter (1935), and University of Alberta Chapter (1935). Delta Upsilon saw another expansion in Canada during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s with the installations of the University of Guelph Chapter (1988), University of Calgary Chapter (1988), McMaster University Chapter (1988), and University of Victoria Chapter (1993).

In the fall of 1990 John Douglas Cook, a History student, began investigating fraternities on campus. Doug pursued his interests by signing a Rush list for Phi Delta Theta.  At the time, the only fraternities on campus were Phi Delta Theta and Zeta Psi.  Doug attended a Rush event and was not impressed with what Phi Delta Theta had to offer. One weekend when Doug was visiting his parents in Vancouver, he and his father Derek Cook (UBC ‘67) discussed Doug’s wish to join a fraternity. Doug’s father advised him to join Delta Upsilon of which he was an alumnus, rather then Phi Delta Theta. Doug informed his father that Delta Upsilon did not have a Chapter at the University of Victoria but appreciated his advice.

At this time, Derek Cook was helping Derek Dunham, Expansion Director of Delta Upsilon International Fraternity, re-colonize Delta Upsilon at the University of British Columbia. Derek Dunham learned that Derek Cook had a son attending the University of Victoria who was interested in Delta Upsilon and sent a copy of the Colony Expansion Guide.  A few weeks later, while visiting his parents, Doug found the Colony Expansion Guide and became interested in learning more about Delta Upsilon. He reviewed the requirements needed to establish a Colony and began contemplating establishing Delta Upsilon at the University of Victoria.

Doug informed the men of Phi Delta Theta that he was starting a Colony of Delta Upsilon.  Doug established a Pi Chi Fraternity Focus Group and approached members of the Progressive Conservative Club, Social Credit Club, as well as men in his English class and invited them to join.  Eleven men joined the focus group, thus marking the first step in Delta Upsilon’s establishment at the University of Victoria.  Shortly after joining two members left the focus group due to lack of commitment. The nine remaining men completed the colonization requirements and acquired a house by the end of the fall term of 1990. On January 10, 1991 Derek Dunham arrived from the Fraternity Headquarters and installed the Victoria Colony of Delta Upsilon.

The Colony initiated its first pledge class in the fall of 1991. Members of this class consisted of Barrie Carter, Ian Flemington, Paul McTaggart, Kyle Mann, and Martin Wallace. The Colony lost Kyle Mann, and Martin Wallace by the fall of 1992. It was in the fall of 1992 that the Colony initiated its second pledge class of fifteen men. On May 1, 1993, the Victoria Chapter of Delta Upsilon was installed at the Coast Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia. Denis Foley (Union ‘92) from Delta Upsilon International Headquarters was Master for both the Chapter’s installation ceremony and members initiation ceremony. Men from across Canada and the United States made their way to Victoria to take part in the installation ceremony. Men of Phi Delta Theta and women of Theta Kappa Omega were guests of honor at the reception.  The keynote speaker of the evening was the Hon. Mary Collins PC MP, Federal Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and Assistant Deputy of National Defense. The founding fathers who were initiated as members of Delta Upsilon that evening were James Bell, Robert Blazek, Neil Bolger, David Collins, Douglas Cook, Oliver Drew, Charles Edgeworth, Ian Flemington, Scott Fox, Micheal Frost, Brent Hamilton, Edward Pearson, Jon Pearson, Rajeev Prasad, Sergio Rodriguez, Mark Shippers, Edward Sem, Philip Wiebe, and Terry Wiggins. Colony President Ian Flemington became the first Chapter President for the Victoria Chapter of Delta Upsilon.

The Victoria Chapter of Delta Upsilon remains the only fraternity at the University of Victoria. There is little doubt that Delta Upsilon will succeed well into the 21st century at the University of Victoria. The men of the Victoria Chapter continue to demonstrate their leadership both within the Chapter and in the university community. The Victoria Chapter has proven its ability to persevere through hardship, meet whatever challenges await it, and succeed in all its endeavors. Delta Upsilon has established itself as a key component in student life at the University of Victoria and will continue to do so well into the future.

Delta Upsilon International Fraternity is the oldest non-secret fraternity in existence. Upon the establishment of Delta Upsilon at Williams College in 1834, the fraternity has taken a strong stand against secret fraternities and societies. Delta Upsilon protested the unjust and discriminatory actions of the fraternities and societies that operated behind the shield of secrecy. Through this protest, Delta Upsilon established the tradition of anti-secrecy and took an open and public stand against the established secret fraternities and societies of the day. In 1881 Delta Upsilon moved from being anti-secret to non-secret on the basis that the protest of the secret societies was a success. Delta Upsilon openly expressed their founding principles, beliefs, and traditions. The founding fathers of Delta Upsilon believed a man should prosper by his merit and deeds and not because of an alliance to a clandestine secret society. The tradition of non-secrecy remains as strong component of Delta Upsilon to this day.

Dikaia Upotheke (dikaia upotheke - Justice Our Foundation. These words are the motto of Delta Upsilon. Through this motto, the ideals of Delta Upsilon can be understood. Being a non-secret fraternity, Delta Upsilon recognizes the true value of honesty, merit, and achievement. Delta Upsilon believes that the only way to be a just member of society is to be an open and honest member of society; the brotherhood of Delta Upsilon hides nothing.

Dikaia Upotheke - Justice, Our Foundation!

The founding fathers of the Delta Upsilon International Fraternity decided on four founding principles in which all brothers could strive to live by; Advancement of Justice, Diffusion of Liberal Culture, Development of Character, and Promotion of Friendship. These four principles act as moral pillars for Delta Upsilon. The intent of these principles is to provide structure and guidance for the Delta Upsilon brotherhood. To this day, men of Delta Upsilon trust in these four ideals and try to incorporate them as a foundation for their scholastic, professional, and most importantly, their personal lives. These principles are what make the men of Delta Upsilon vital members of society.

The Four Founding Principles are...

• Advancement of Justice

Delta Upsilon believes in being just in everything the fraternity does. Delta Upsilon is not prejudice of race, color, creed, religion, or sexual preference. Delta Upsilon promotes mutual respect for all members of society, therefore the practice of hazing is forbidden by the brotherhood. Delta Upsilon believes that hazing is unjust in that it may causes another human being to feel humiliated and substandard. Delta Upsilon has no secrets, therefore all Delta Upsilon meetings, events, and activities are open for all to enjoy. There is no attempt to keep others from witnessing our fraternal brotherhood. Delta Upsilon believes all people deserve to be treated in a fair, honest, and just manner. Our motto says it all, Justice, Our Foundation.

• Diffusion of Liberal Culture

The brothers of Delta Upsilon believe in enlightening their intellect and promoting others to do the same. In this, Delta Upsilon encourages its brotherhood to experience new and different events, activities, arts, and people. Part of the process of establishing membership in Delta Upsilon is looking at the diverse men on our campus communities and encouraging men from broad cultural backgrounds to examine our brotherhood and consider becoming a member of our fraternity. Delta Upsilon does not set criteria for membership other than ensuring those seeking membership will strive to live by the founding principles and motto - Justice, Our Foundation. Delta Upsilon seeks men who show both the ability and readiness to contribute towards the International Fraternity and local Chapter hard work, personal experience, and loyalty for life. It is a result of this tradition of membership recruitment that the brotherhood of Delta Upsilon International Fraternity has succeeded since 1834 and is still going strong to this day.

• Development of Character

Delta Upsilon strives to produce community leaders. Delta Upsilon provides its members with the best foundation possible to become successful, accomplished, and confident both at college and beyond; Delta Upsilon develops leaders. All brothers have the opportunity to become leaders within their Chapter as officers, committee members, and project chairmen. Delta Upsilon stresses the importance of bettering oneself and becoming a leader in some aspect of society. Furthermore, Delta Upsilon encourages all its members to get involved in academic, social, philanthropic, and community services. Nobel Peace Prize winner Lester B. Pearson is one example of what the brothers of Delta Upsilon strive to become.

• Promotion of Friendship

The backbone of Delta Upsilon’s brotherhood is friendship. When a man joins Delta Upsilon, he will not only gain new life skills and improve scholastically, but he will make new and lasting friendships both in his Chapter and across North America. By encouraging brothers to work as a team, Delta Upsilon provides a medium for lifelong friendships to be forged. Brothers help one another achieve and succeed academically, socially, and professionally. In Delta Upsilon, brotherhood has no boundaries!

Philanthropy is a proud tradition of Delta Upsilon. Active members are expected to involve themselves with organizing and participating in Chapter philanthropy events. The men of the Victoria Chapter have established several annual philanthropies that have come to be recognized both on the university campus as well as in the Greater Victoria Regional District. By participating in these events, members of Delta Upsilon learn much about the social needs of their community and learn important organizational skills.

Organizations such as the United Way, Red Cross, and Mustard Seed Food Bank have all publicly expressed their admiration and thanks to the men of the Victoria Chapter for their hard work and dedication in helping others. It is important for members to realize that philanthropy is a social service to the community and not a public relations activity. By helping others, men will surely find self-gratification in knowing they have had a positive impact on other people’s lives. By getting involved in the community, members are able to tangibly express the four founding principles of Delta Upsilon.