OUR HISTORY 

Dartmouth Beta’s History

Winter 1889 — Letters of Instruction Read in Sigma Delta Pi Meeting: Beta General Secretary Hanna and District Chief Siebert seek room at Dartmouth College for a  Beta chapter. The consent of Amherst and Boston chapters was sought for a petition. 

Summer 1889 — First Members Initiated: Charles Lord Weeks, Edward Staniels Holmes, and William Bruce Earl initiated under dispensation in the Boston University chapter rooms. Later that fall, the aforementioned three, obligated the rest of the Sigma Delta Pi members. 

1889 — Beginning of Alpha Omega Chapter: On the same evening, October 16, 1889, Sigma Delta Pi closed and the Alpha Omega chapter of Beta Theta PI began. This was the formal introduction of Alpha Omega.

1904 — Construction of Past House: The first house to appear on campus exclusively for fraternity purposes between the cemetery and South Mass. This house stood for almost 30 years. 

1932 — Construction of Current House: The college took over the former property in exchange for the (current) Webster Avenue land plus $17,000 in cash. A dedication in the presence of many prominent alumni was held in 1933. 

1989 — 100th Anniversary: As the Alpha Omega chapter of Beta Theta Pi celebrated its 100th birthday in 1989 and began to move toward the 21st century, it remained one of the strongest houses on campus, continuing the legacy of diversity, leadership, and excellence that had been handed down to it. Rush classes continued to showcase a cross-section of campus leaders and athletes, and the chapter’s contributions to community and campus life were plentiful. 

1996 — Unregistered Keg Discovered: In November 1996, a keg was found in the Beta basement, a direct violation of the College’s sanctions.

1996 — Beta Punished: In December 1996, after a judicial process, the College permanently de-recognized Beta. An appeal was denied.

2005 — A Call for Help: After years of failure in reinstating the chapter, Beta trustees sought out more than two dozen alumni to volunteer in their mission. New Trustee Co-Chairs Scott Simple ’84 and Davies Beller ’83 would prove instrumental in the ultimate return of Beta.

2008 —  Beta Meets With Alpha Xi Delta: Beta and representatives from the College met with the Alpha Xi Delta sorority to give them advanced notice of Beta’s return to the original house. At first angry and bewildered, AXD surprisingly supported and honored Beta’s return after much deliberation.

2008 — Beta is Born Again: On October 11, 2008, in the presence of more than 50 alumni who had return for the occasion, 19 new members were initiated into Beta Alpha Omega.