National History

Alpha Chi Omega was founded as a women’s fraternal organization on October 15, 1885, at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Professor James Hamilton Howe, Dean of the Music School, invited seven young women from the school to attend a meeting for the purpose of forming a society. The first appearance of the seven founders - Anna Allen, Olive Burnett, Bertha Deniston, Amy DuBois, Nellie Gamble, Bessie Grooms and Estelle Leonard was in Meharry Hall, wearing scarlet and olive green ribbon streamers attached to their dresses.

The historical purpose of Alpha Chi Omega was to provide for the advancement of the intellectual, social and moral culture of its members. Today, Alpha Chi Omega membership exceeds 180,000 initiated members with over 130 active collegiate chapters and 200 alumnae chapters.

Alpha Chi Omega's Founders chose "Alpha," the first letter of the Greek alphabet, because they were forming the first fraternity in the school of music. Since they thought they might also be founding the last such fraternity, "Omega" seemed appropriate. "Kai," meaning "and," was added to form the beginning and the end. "Kai" was soon changed to "Chi," a letter of the Greek alphabet. 

Local History - UNC Chapel Hill's Epsilon Chi Chapter

Alpha Chi Omega's Epsilon Chi chapter was colonized on February 14, 1976. On January 22, 1977 the chapter received its official charter. The Epsilon Chi chapter house, located at 215 East Rosemary Street, was built in 1977 by Alpha Chi Omega under a then-new model that introduced competitive housing along with new chapter colonizations, rather than several years later. The residence houses 36 women in doubles and quad rooms, who are selected via a VERY competitive points system. Women from the very first years still recall the signature checkerboard tile floor in the dining room and bay window areas. 

The house has a Chapel Hill Fire Department compliant sprinkler system, full laundry, high speed wireless internet, and comfortable study areas throughout, as well as a suite for our House Mom. Sisters who live-in also have access to an assigned parking space.  Since Alpha Chi Omega is one of only two sorority residences originally designed to house a sisterhood, major additions and expansions have not  been necessary.

That said, Alpha Chi acquired an adjacent cottage property in 2006, which shares our parking lot. The Spring Lane Annex has been renovated to include a den and kitchen along with living and study areas for four sisters. This addition makes Alpha Chi the third sorority in Chapel Hill to own more than one free-standing residence.

HOUSE IMPROVEMENTS, 2009 & 2010 

The following additional improvements/changes were implemented in the past year or over this summer to enhance the living experience of our sisters. All members benefit from enhancements because the house is a destination of choice for long haul study nights, quiet test prep, and fun sisterhood nights, as well as just hanging out.

Security: Ingersoll Rand Hand-print /pin code security on both exterior doors - the same as in the Dean Smith Center! Additional lighting in the back and side parking lots.

Green initiatives: "Green" paper products in the kitchen, cotton bath mats/hand towels, plus an organized recycling program and a new cleaning service that is mindful of our Green requests. (No live-in sisters caught flu during Fall 2009's recruitment season!)

Updated spaces: Bathrooms, Chef's kitchen, TV room, dining room floor.

Exterior, yard: Re-sod and new landscaping that uses less water, more efficiently. New wrought iron patio furniture and cushions.

NEW Renovated space: !NEW! Study room with executive desk chairs and class notebook/test library. A must-see during House Tours, all sisters are welcome to study here.

We are grateful for the support of Alpha Chi Omega's National Housing Corporation, which owns and maintains our property. Our working relationship with the NHC staff, guarantees that repairs are made promptly and the property is kept in excellent condition.