1903-04 Volume 28 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

THE SCROLL.Vol. XXVIII, FEBRUARY, 1904, No. 3,MICHIGAN ALPHA'S NEW HOME.The first charter for a chapter of 4> A © at the Universityof Michigan was granted on the 28th of Xovember, 1864.The active membership of the chapter was small during 1868-69, and Michigan Alpha suspended about the end of thatcollegiate year.In 1887 eleven students of the literary department petitionedthe fraternity for a charter, which was granted on thenth of November of the same year. Since then MichiganAlpha has had a prosperous growth, so that the chapter nowhas on its chapter roll 139 members. In May, 1901, theGeneral Council assigned to Michigan Alpha the dormantchapters of Michigan Beta and Gamma. Their rolls numbered147 and 96 members respectively. This virtually givesMichigan Alpha a roll of 382.In 1890 the chapter rented quarters at 620 Forest avenue,which met all the demands of the chapter and which wasoccupied until last September, when the chapter moved intoits present quarters. It soon became apparent that the chaptershould own a house and lot of its own, and in 1894 analumni association was formed with that end in view. Theplan was to have every alumnus and undergraduate subscribefor stock in the association, by giving at least ten notes ofSio each, one note payable each year. By this means almostevery undergraduate has subscribed for stock, while many ofthe alumni of all the Michigan chapters have taken a financialinterest in the association. ,These notes were being collected when they came due, butat best progress was a little slow, and it became apparentto the chapter that it should own a house and lot in order tokeep pace with the other fraternities. On the 28th of May,1902, A. M. Potter and E. J. Wohlgemuth agreed to pay $500apiece on condition that the active chapter pay Si,000, andthe alumni the same amount. This plan was successfully car-