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Pi Alpha Phi
ΠΑΦ
FoundedFebruary 1, 1929; 95 years ago (1929-02-01)
UC Berkeley
TypeCultural interest
AffiliationNAPA (former)
EmphasisAsian American
ScopeNational
Motto"A Tradition of Excellence Since 1929"
PillarsAcademic excellence, Asian awareness, brotherhood, leadership, and philanthropy
ColorsBerkeley Blue  
California Gold  
SymbolBrotherhood Links
MascotPhoenix
PhilanthropyJade Ribbon Campaign
Chapters20
NicknameP-A-Phi's, Pineapples
HeadquartersIndianapolis, Indiana 46230
United States
Websitewww.pialphaphi.com

Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity, Inc. (ΠΑΦ, also Pi Alpha Phi or PAPhi) was an American university-level fraternity. It was founded in 1929 at the University of California, Berkeley. On August 1, 2023, Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity announced the closure of all of its chapters. At the time, it was the oldest active Asian-American interest fraternity in the United States. It was a founding member of the National APIDA Panhellenic Association.

History

Origins

In 1928, three members of the class of 1930 conceived the idea to form a fraternity to serve the several hundred students of Chinese descent at the University of California, Berkeley. Wing C. Chan, Dong Wing Tom, and Elmer Leong did much of the preliminary work towards the formation of the fraternity. In the fall of 1928, the three approached freshman Tim Jang to join.[1]

On February 1, 1929, the six founding fathers signed the fraternity's constitution in both Chinese and English and officially established Pi Alpha Phi. The six founders were D. Wing Tom, Wing Chan, Elmer Leong, Chack Chan, Tim Jang, and George Lee.

The fraternity believed in learning Asian-American culture, heritage, and history. It encouraged its members to pass on this knowledge to others. When Pi Alpha Phi was founded in the 1920s, traditional Greek fraternities along with the rest of the nation, legally discriminated against men of color.[2] Since they were banned from joining a traditional Greek fraternity, Pi Alpha Phi's founding fathers wanted to ensure that Asian-American awareness would forever be an important part of the fraternity.[2]

Expansion

The local fraternity became national with the addition of its Beta chapter at the Stony Brook University in 1990.[3] The fraternity's first annual convention was hosted by the Epsilon chapter in Arcadia, California in 2000. In 2002, it held a joint convention with Alpha Phi Gamma sorority. In 2003, it held a joined convention with alpha Kappa Delta Phi sorority. In 2008, it held a joint convention and leadership workshop with Sigma Omicron Pi sorority.

In its later years, the basic premise of the fraternity remained largely unchanged.[2] The fraternity was open to people of all ethnic backgrounds but retained its Asian-American character.[2] It was a founding member of the National APIDA Panhellenic Association in 2005.[4][5] In 2014, Pi Alpha Phi had ten chapters, one associate chapter, and six colonies.[2] It was headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.[6].

Scandals and dissolution

In July 2020, the National Board of Directors "issued an indefinite moratorium on activities nationwide...after multiple reports of sexual misconduct nationwide."[7] However, a pledge died and three others were taken to the hospital after a hazing incident at Michigan State University on November 19, 2020.[8][9] Nine fraternity members were changed in connection with the death.[9] In June 2023, the family of the deceased student filed a wrongful death suit against the fraternity.[8]

On August 1, 2023, Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity announced the closure of all of its chapters.[10][8] The fraternity said that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, declining university enrollment, and financial pressures made the collegiate chapters unsustainable.[10] Not all chapters agreed with this decision and attempted to continue operating to form a new organization, although the former was prohibited by the national fraternity.[8][10] . At the time of its closure, Pi Alpha Phi was the oldest active Asian-American interest fraternity in the United States.[2]

The National APIDA Panhellenic Association removed Pi Alpha Phi from its membership roles on October 13, 2023.[8][5] NAPA said, "Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity, Inc. has contributed to the vibrant Greek life on campuses nationwide and served as a chartering organization of  NAPA in 2005. Their dedication to fostering academic excellence, Asian American awareness, brotherhood, leadership, and philanthropy has left a lasting mark on our fraternity and sorority community."[5] Some of the fraternity's materials are in the archives at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.[2]

Founders

The founding fathers of Pi Alpha Phi were primarily from the state of California. Elmer Leong, George Lee, and D. Wing Tom were from the San Francisco Bay area. Tim Jang, Wing Chan, and his younger brother Chack Chan came from the Central Valley region of California. All were born in America except Wing Chan, who came from China at an early age.

The men studied science and engineering, which was considered a better path to employment after graduation since discrimination prevented most Asians from entering into law, medicine, or other graduate disciplines. After forming the fraternity, the six men proceeded with their college careers, engaging in academic and social events. Elmer Leong joined the university track team.

Their challenges grew as they found out that student lodging was often not rented to those of Asian heritage. It was especially difficult for Tim, Wing, and Chack from the Central Valley for whom commuting was not an option. The problem was solved by the goodwill of a sympathetic German woman known as Mother Tusch, who also had been a victim of racism. The seeds of brotherhood were planted in the cabin she rented to Wing, Elmer, and D. Wing Tom behind her house near Sather Gate.

Following graduation in the early 1930s, the founding fathers found life difficult. The United States was in the midst of the Great Depression and discrimination against those of Asian heritage for jobs was even more prevalent. Four of the six—Wing Chan, Chack Chan, D. Wing Tom, and George Lee—went to southern China to find employment and new lives. In China, Wing taught chemistry at a university in Canton, Chack Chan worked in the local aircraft industry, George Lee was pursuing a medical degree, and all four became married and started their families. Tim Jang and Elmer Leong decided to stay in America to continue their education and start a career.

In 1937, with the advent of war in China, all returned home to America except Wing, who returned after World War II. During wartime, Tim Jang enlisted in the U.S. Navy Seabees. He served as a construction corpsman for the 132nd Naval Construction Battalion in the Pacific. Chack Chang put his engineering skills to use as a draftsman at the famed Henry J. Kaiser naval shipyard in Richmond, California, where many warships in the United States were built.

Symbols

The colors of Pi Alpha Phi were Berkeley Blue and California Gold.[11] Its mascot was the phoenix. Its symbol was Brotherhood Links.[12] The five pillars of the fraternity were academic excellence, Asian awareness, brotherhood, leadership, and philanthropy.[13][14] Its motto is "A tradition of excellence since 1929".[15][12]

The group's nicknames were PAPhi and "Pineapples".[16][12]

Activities

The fraternity awarded the annual Herbert Gee Scholarship, named in honor of an Alpha chapter founder.[17] The scholarship was funded by alumni and was award to an active member of the fraternity.[18]

From the mid-1980s to 2002, Pi Alpha Phi was a mainstay in the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade, operating what had affectionately become known as the “Pi Alpha Phi Dragon”. The dragon the fraternity purchased was the longest in the parade. In 2002, the parade's criteria changed for participating organizations and the fraternity retired its dragon. One year, the parade committee invited Pi Alpha Phi and its partner the Jade Ribbon Campaign to operate a Jade Ribbon Dragon.

Philanthropy

The fraternity was committed to serving others and encouraging participation in activities for the betterment of the Asian-American community and the community. One of the fraternity's national events was a campaign for the Jade Ribbon Campaign to spread hepatitis awareness and to discuss the health disparity between Asian Americans and white Americans.[19] They also supported the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California. Chapters also Habitat for Humanity and Christmas charities for children.[19]

Chapters

Following is a list of the former Pi Alpha Phi collegiate chapters.[3][10][20]

Chapter Charter date

and range

Institution City State Status References
Alpha February 1, 1929 – 2013 University of California, Berkeley Berkeley California Inactive
Beta 1990–1992 Stony Brook University Stony Brook New York Inctive
Gamma May 1, 1990 – 2012 University of California, Davis Davis California Inactive
Delta 1991 – January 23, 2003; 2013–2023 San Jose State University San Jose California Inactive [21][22][a]
Epsilon 1993–2012 University of California, Riverside Riverside California Inactive [16][b]
Zeta March 5, 1995 – 2021 University of California, Santa Cruz Santa Cruz California Inactive [23][c]
Eta September 16, 1998 – 2011; 2016–2023 University of California, Irvine Irvine California Inactive
Theta August 20, 2000 – 2023 University of California, San Diego La Jolla California Inactive [24]
Iota 2000–2023 University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan Inactive [25]
Kappa November 11, 2002 – 2023 University of Arizona Tucson Arizona Inactive [19][26]
Lambda Inactive
Mu 2003 – December 5, 2021 Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan Inactive [10][27][d]
Nu 2003–2023 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina Inactive
Xi 2004–2023 University of Washington Seattle Washington Inactive
Omicron 2006 – March 22, 2023 University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara California Inactive [28][e]
Pi 2011–2023 University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa Inactive
Rho January 19, 2013 – 2023 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte North Carolina Inactive [29][30][f]
Sigma 2013–2023 Northwestern University Evanston Illinois Inactive
Tau 2016– 2023 North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina Inactive [31][32][g]
Upsilon 2012–2023 San Francisco State University San Francisco California Inactive
Phi 2014–2023 Drexel University Philadelphia Pennsylvania Inactive
Chi June 15, 2017 – 2023 Clemson University Clemson South Carolina Inactive [33][h]
Psi 2019–2023 Iowa State University Ames Iowa Inactive [34][i]
Omega
Alpha Alpha 2008–20xx ?; March 2018–2023 University of Buffalo Buffalo New York Inactive [35][20]
University Nevada, Las Vegas Paradise Nevada Inactive [36][j]
University of Delaware Newark New Jerey Inactive [37][k]
Arizona State University Tempe Arizona Inactive [10][l]
University of Maryland, College Park College Park Maryland Inactive [m]
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro North Carolina Inactive [38][n]
University of South Carolina Columbia South Carolina Inactive [11][39][o]
  1. ^ The university expelled the fraternity for at least ten years after it brawled with another fraternity in January 2002, resulting in the stabbing death of a student.
  2. ^ The university banned the chapter for hazing and failure to comply with university sanctions.
  3. ^ The university dismissed the chapter for risk management violations including hazing.
  4. ^ Chapter was suspended for a minimum of ten years, by the national fraternity and the university, following the hazing death of a pledge.
  5. ^ The national fraternity closed the chapter.
  6. ^ Chapter started In the spring of 2011 as BIGAPE, which stands for Brotherhood Interest Group Asian Pi Alpha Phi Expansion. It became an official colony in the fall of 2012.
  7. ^ Chapter started as a colony in June 2011 and was chartered in 2016.
  8. ^ Chapter started as a colony on April 15, 2017.
  9. ^ Chapter was created as a colony in 2014.
  10. ^ Formed as a colony on November 17, 2013.
  11. ^ Formed as a colony in 2014.
  12. ^ Formed as a colony in 2014 or 2015.
  13. ^ Formed as a colony in 2018.
  14. ^ Formed as a colony in the spring of 2019. It was a co-ed chapter.
  15. ^ Formed as a colony in October 2021.

Alumni clubs

The fraternity had alumni clubs in the United States and Asia.[40]

 

United States

Asia

}}

Notable members

Member and chapter misconduct

  • On January 21, 2003, the San Jose State chapters of Pi Alpha Phi brawled with members of the Lambda Phi Epsilon fraternity.[41] The two fraternity's had a "long-standing rivalry".[22][21] The fight involved around 100 people, including Pi Alpha Phi members of the University of California, Santa Cruz who had been recruited to participate.[22][21] A member of Lambda Phi Epsilon was killed while trying to stop the fight and others were seriously injured and were taken to the hospital.[42][41]
  • A pledge died and three others were taken to the hospital after a hazing incident involving the forced consumption of alcohol at the chapter at Michigan State University on November 19, 2020.[8][43][27] Nine fraternity members were changed in connection with the death.[44][43][9] In June 2023, the family of the deceased student filed a wrongful death suit against the fraternity.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ William Raimond Baird; Carroll Lurding (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive), section showing Pi Alpha Phi chapters". Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved 1 January 2022. The main archive URL is The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Pi Alpha Phi Archives – Student Life and Culture Archives". University of Illinois Library. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  3. ^ a b Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (January 10, 2024) "Pi Alph Phi". Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed March 19, 2024.
  4. ^ "History". Pi Alpha Phi. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  5. ^ a b c Shah, Suhani (2023-10-15). "NAPA Announces Departure of Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity, Inc". National APIDA Panhellenic Association. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  6. ^ "Leadership". Pi Alpha Phi. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  7. ^ Jandu, Priya (September 16, 2020). "Multiple UA fraternities under investigation after violating code of conduct". The Daily Wildcat. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Fox-Million, Emily (February 1, 2024). Michalak, Katrina; Sadie, Buggle; Learmonth, Caera (eds.). "Update: Former members of disbanded frat look to start fresh in new organization - The Arizona State Press". www.statepress.com. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  9. ^ a b c McCarthy, Owen (February 9, 2024). "Seven additional individuals charged in connection to 2021 MSU fraternity hazing death". The State News. Michigan State University, East Lansing. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Chapter Locations". Pi Alpha Phi. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  11. ^ a b "2022-2023 Guide to Fraternity and Sorority Life" (PDF). University of South Carolina. 2022. p. 22.
  12. ^ a b c "Pi Alpha Phi". discoverdgc. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  13. ^ "National Constitution" (PDF). Pi Alpha Phi National Fraternity. January 15, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  14. ^ "Pillars". Pi Alpha Phi. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  15. ^ "Pi Alpha Phi || "A Tradition of Excellence Since 1929"". Greek Graduate. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  16. ^ a b "Overview of Non-Recognized Organizations | Student Life". University of California, Riverside. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  17. ^ "2022 Herbert Gee Memorial Scholarship Winner". Pi Alpha Phi. 2022-08-17. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  18. ^ "Herbert Gee Scholarship Applications Now Open". Pi Alpha Phi. 2020-05-20. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  19. ^ a b c Lopera, Natalia (February 17, 2006). ""New gay, Asian fraternities secure campus recognition"". The Daily Wildcat. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  20. ^ a b "Chapters". Clemson University Pi Alpha Phi. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  21. ^ a b c Glionna, John M.; O'Connell, Chris (2003-01-24). "Fraternity Brawl Prompts Rebuke". The Los Angeles Times. pp. B1, B11. Retrieved 2024-03-19 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ a b c "Universiety Says Fraternities in Brawl Will Be Suspended". The Sacramento Bee. 2003-01-24. p. 5. Retrieved 2024-03-19 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "List of Greek Organizations | Student Organization Advising & Resources". University of California, Santa Cruz. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  24. ^ "Pi Alpha Phi History". San Diego Pi Alpha Phi. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  25. ^ "History". UofM Chapter Pi Alpha Phi. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  26. ^ "Meet the Chapters | Fraternity & Sorority Programs". University of Arizona. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  27. ^ a b Weber, Jacob (2021-12-05). "Fraternity Suspened at MSU After Death". Lansing State Journal. pp. A1. Retrieved 2024-03-19 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "Chapter Status Reports | Student Engagement & Leadership". University of California, Santa Barbara. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  29. ^ Change, Ronald (2013-02-08). "Rho Chapter Announcement". Pi Alpha Phi. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  30. ^ "History". UNC-Charlotte Pi Alpha Phi. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  31. ^ "Pi Alpha Phi colonizes at North Carolina State University". Pi Alpha Phi. 2011-06-22. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  32. ^ Chang, Ronald (2016-02-07). "Tau Chapter Announcement". Pi Alpha Phi. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  33. ^ "Chi Chapter Announcement". Pi Alpha Phi. 2019-06-24. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  34. ^ "Psi Chapter Announcement". Pi Alpha Phi. 2019-06-25. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  35. ^ "University at Buffalo Re-Charter". Pi Alpha Phi. 2018-03-06. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  36. ^ "Chapter History". Pi Alpha Phi UNLV Colony. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  37. ^ "Pi Alpha Phi - Home". University of Delaware. 2015-10-22. Retrieved 2024-03-19 – via web.archive.org.
  38. ^ "Everything You Need To Know About UNCG Fraternity Life". Spartan Crossing. 2022-12-22. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  39. ^ Hinkle, Addison (March 13, 2022). "Asian-interest fraternity comes to USC, builds community around Asian interests". The Daily Gamecock at University of South Carolina. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  40. ^ "Alumni Clubs". Pi Alpha Phi. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  41. ^ a b Torbenson, Craig LaRon; Parks, Gregory (2009). Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities. Associated University Press. p. 96. ISBN 978-0-8386-4194-1 – via Google Books.
  42. ^ Hu, Winnie (October 12, 2015). "Hazing and Drinking Deaths at Asian-American Fraternities Raise Concerns". The New York Times. pp. A1. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  43. ^ a b Palmer, Ken; Mencarini, Matt (2024-02-12). "Charges Grow in MSU Frat Party Death". Detroit Free Press. pp. A2, A7. Retrieved 2024-03-19 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ "Attorney Objects to Statute in Hazing Case (pt. 1)". Lansing State Journal. 2024-02-18. pp. A1, A2. Retrieved 2024-03-19 – via Newspapers.com.
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