Pi Kappa Alpha (formerly Phi Nu Beta) Gamma Rho Chapter Records

This series consists of six boxes of the records of the Northwestern University Chapter (Gamma Rho) of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. The records reflect the day-to-day activities of the fraternity, especially its financial transactions and social functions. Included among the records are correspondence, financial records, membership lists, minutes of meetings, publications of both the chapter and the national fraternity, and newspaper clippings.

Also present are chapter histories for the years 1964-65, 1966-67, and 1967-68 and membership contracts for the years 1973-74, 1974-75, and the summer of 1976.

The chapter produced a number of publications including the Purple Pike and the Weekly Weeder. Several copies of each are included in the series as well as copies of the "Purple Pike Rush Reports," which review rushing activities. These publications provide an overview of the social and other activities of the fraternity.

The series includes an irregular run of minutes of meetings for the years 1939-40, 1940-41, 1942-43, 1952-53, 1953-54, 1954-55, and 1969-70. For the years 1932-1971, the minutes are complete. They reflect all aspects of the chapter's history.

The membership and pledge record books are incomplete which limits their usefulness as a source of statistical information on the fraternity's membership. Only vital statistics such as name, address, and initiation year are included in these records.

The newspaper clippings included in the records are extensive for the 1920's, 30's, and 40's, but quite sparce for the 1950's, 60's, and 70's.

The bulk of the records in the series pertain to financial matters. These include bills, budgets, rooming house licenses, insurance policies, expense statements, invoices, and income tax returns. They are extensive for the period 1960-76 and provide a good overview of the day-to-day activities of the chapter's financial condition.