Type Social Motto "Come As You Are" Chapters 1 | Scope Dartmouth College Symbol Phoenix | |
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Founded 1904 as Beta Gamma
Dartmouth College | ||
Chi Gamma Epsilon (ΧΓΕ) is a local fraternity at the American Ivy League university of Dartmouth College. "Chi Gam," as it is commonly known, was part of the Kappa Sigma fraternity before breaking off for political reasons. On campus, Chi Gam is known for its dance parties such as Gammapalooza, its house pong game known as ship and its commitment to community service. In past years Chi Gam gained a reputation as the "Baseball Frat," although now the house is populated by a wide variety of different people, including members of the Dartmouth Lightweight Crew team, Dartmouth Swim team, and writers for The Dartmouth.
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History
Chi Gamma Epsilon began as the fraternal organization Beta Gamma in 1904. There were 11 founding members. In 1905, Beta Gamma was given national status as the Gamma Epsilon chapter of Kappa Sigma at Dartmouth College. From 1914 to 1916, the brothers raised enough money to build a small wooden house in an empty lot at 7 Webster Avenue. The house was razed in 1935 for need of a larger structure. By 1937, the new house was completed. Ives Atherton ’24 is credited with heading construction and gathering funds.
The house became a local fraternity in 1981 due to a dispute with the national organization and changed its name from Kappa Sigma to Kappa Sigma Gamma. The house further separated itself from the national organization by undergoing a name change to the current Chi Gamma Epsilon. The brothers voted upon this on March 31, 1987. In between the deliberation period, the house was called 7 Webster Ave. The Gamma Epsilon part of the name originates from the fact that the house was originally the Gamma Epsilon chapter of Kappa Sigma.