Beta Sigma Rho Fraternity fonds

Admin History/Bio: The Beta Sigma Rho fraternity was founded in 1910 at Cornell University in Ithica, New York by four Jewish veterinary students who were unable to obtain membership in existing fraternities because of their religion. Originally named Beta Samach, the purpose of the fraternity was to promote fraternal spirit and good fellowship among its members, to diffuse a liberal culture, to advance scholarship, and to further equity in college affairs. Although not formally stated in its constitution, the fraternity also served a social function allowing its members to develop friendships and to take part in social events, such as dances.; The fraternity began to expand nationally in 1914, and in 1920 the fraternity’s name was changed to Beta Sigma Rho. The fraternity expanded into Ontario in 1930 with the Eta Chapter at the University of Toronto. In 1944 a second Canadian chapter was opened at the University of Western Ontario, known as the Iota Chapter.; Membership in Beta Sigma Rho began to decline in the late 1960s, and in 1972 its national office merged with the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity for financial assistance. The chapter at Pennsylvania State University chose not to take part in the merger and became an independent fraternity under the new name Beta Sigma Beta.

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of records documenting the activities and history of the Beta Sigma Rho fraternity. The records are arranged into two series documenting the history of the fraternity's head chapter and Toronto's Eta Chapter. Included in the fonds are programmes from dinner-dances, shows and conventions, recruitment pamphlets, scrapbooks, newsletters, and an historical manuscript.

Notes: Information for History/Bio obtained from "An Introduction to Beta Sigma Rho" found in this fonds.; Some records were previously arranged as MG2 P1L.