History

Early in Alpha Chi Omega’s history, the fraternity recognized the need to provide a haven for its collegiate members. This haven would serve to enhance the college or university experience while creating a home away from home. It would provide an environment that afforded sisters the opportunity to cultivate friendships, to develop leadership skills, to nurture academic pursuits, and to participate in philanthropic endeavors.

A cornerstone in Alpha Chi Omega’s housing history took place in 1895. With the support of local alumnae and the fraternity, Beta chapter at Albion College became the first chapter to move from a dormitory hall to a fraternity lodge. By the end of the academic year 1916-1917, all twenty-three Alpha Chi Omega chapters resided in a chapter house, except for four where the institutions barred on-campus fraternity houses.

From the beginning, Fraternity owned housing was strongly encouraged and supported by each National Council over ever-increasing high rentals often found in undesirable locations on various campuses. Theta chapter at the University of Michigan was one of the first chapters to meet the fraternity housing challenge. The alumnae bought property and began building a new home at the cost of $24,000.00. Kappa chapter at the University of Wisconsin also met the fraternity challenge purchasing the prestigious Tenney home for its members.

Other chapters also responded to the call for housing. Lambda chapter at Syracuse University purchased a house while Iota chapter at the University of Illinois and Omicron chapter at Baker University chose to build.

Today, 117 of 133 AXΩ collegiate chapters have some type of facility available for their use. There are:

  • 58 facilities owned or leased and managed by AXΩ local house corporations for AXΩ collegiate chapters
  • 5 facilities managed by AXΩ property management teams for AXΩ collegiate chapters
  • 18 owned and 9 leased facilities under the National Housing Corporation’s management for AXΩ collegiate chapters
  • 28 facilities where property assistance and financial management is provided for AXΩ collegiate chapters

The importance of having a “place to call home” for Alpha Chi Omega chapters has clearly been reflected in the fraternity’s past and continues to maintain a position of importance today and for the future offering an environment that embraces the Alpha Chi Omega sisterhood.