History of Delta Upsilon
On November 4, 1834 on the campus of Williams College 20 men from the sophomore and junior classes met to form “The Social Fraternity” in opposition to the secret societies prominent on campus at that time.
The idea of “The Social Fraternity” (a spirited brotherhood based on merit and anti-secrecy) spread rapidly. Within four years, men of similar beliefs set up other groups, at Union College, Middlebury, Hamilton, Amherst, Western Reserve, Wesleyan, Vermont, Rochester and Colby. These early groups thrived, powered by their zeal in battling the abuses of secret societies.
As “The Social Fraternity” expanded, they adapted the Greek-letter name Delta Upsilon and a slightly modified stance of non-secrecy, rather than anti-secrecy. While other early fraternities fiddled with secret grips and recognition signs, Delta U was promoting friendship and developing character. While the secret fraternities spent energy guarding their secrets from others, Delta U fought to advance justice and spread liberal, learned culture.
Currently, Delta Upsilon has 5 Canadian Chapters. Toronto, established the University of Toronto in Toronto Ontario in 1899, Manitoba (University of Manitoba, Winnipeg - founded in 1929), Alberta (University of Alberta, Edmonton Alberta - founded in 1935), Western Ontario (University of Western Ontario, London Ontario - 1978) and Guelph (University of Guelph, Guelph Ontario).
Delta U has never had any secrets. No secret rituals. No secret oaths. No hazing. We are proud of what Delta U stands for and proud to be the world's only international fraternity committed to sharing our ideals, symbols, and rituals openly. Today Delta U boasts over 70 Chapters and several Colonies with approximately 3,000 undergraduate members and 65,000 living alumni. Delta Upsilon has initiated over 110,000 men since its founding.