Founding Date

Dec 6th, 1969

Northern Illinois University was founded as part of the expansion of the normal school program established in 1857 in Normal, Illinois. In 1895, the state legislature created a Board of Trustees for the governance of the Northern Illinois State Normal School, which would grow into what is today known as NIU. In July 1917, the Illinois Senate consolidated the Boards of Trustees for the five state normal schools into one state Normal School Board. Over the next 58 years, the school and the governing board changed the names several times. The schools final name change occurred on July 1, 1957, when the Seventieth General Assembly named the school Northern Illinois University in recognition of its expanded status as a liberal arts university. Late in the spring semester of 1966 a small group of women discussed the need for a new sorority on the Northern Illinois campus. Not only did they feel there were not enough sororities on campus, they felt the need for a new type of sorority, one that would allow the members to be individuals. The seven women named their new group, Chi Sigma Phi. Chi Sigma Phi was granted temporary recognition by Panhellenic and the Student Association Board in December 1966. In April 1968, the Assistant Dean of Women wrote to inquire if Delta Gamma was interested in expansion at Northern Illinois since one of the locals was particularly inclined toward becoming affiliated with Delta Gamma. Chi Sigma Phi had reached total membership on that campus of 70 women and was ready to join a National Panhellenic Conference group. This expansion site was not new to Delta Gamma as it had been considered as early as 1962. On December 2, 1968 Janet Lau Sullivan, Kappa-Nebraska, Director of Expansion, and two Province officers, made a visit to the campus. The women were very enthusiastic about the fast-growing school, administration, and the "spirited, refreshingly enthusiastic" women "eager to be Delta Gammas." Once alumnae support was established, the vote of all collegiate and alumnae organizations within a 250-mile radius was taken. The petition of Chi Sigma Phi was accepted, and pledging took place on June 4, 1969. Installation was held the weekend of December 5-7, 1969. The initiation on Saturday, December 6th, at 1:30 p.m. was performed by Omega chapter members at the Westminster Presbyterian Church. The Installation banquet was held at the Holiday Inn Saturday evening. Fraternity President Marcia Strickland, Xi-Michigan, gave the address. Four inches of snow fell that night, but many family members and other guests braved the elements for the Sunday afternoon reception at the student center Sky Room. The chapter celebrated its 10th anniversary in March of 1980. The festivities began at the chapter house, and then moved to a luncheon held in the Regency Room of the student center on campus. Delta Nu’s first Anchor Splash® was held in 1980 and raised $500. This money was given to a local vision screening clinic. Delta Nu first acquired a chapter house under its formal identity as Chi Sigma Phi. The house was rented from the university until the chapter received its charter when the Delta Nu house corporation purchased the property. The house was renovated prior to Delta Nu moving in in 1970.