Gamma

Gamma is the Cornell University chapter of Alpha Phi Omega.

Brother Chapter

Gamma Chapter is known as Iota Phi's Brother Chapter. The origin of this relationship is understood through a history written by Anne Murray, and later revised by Chris Tsubamoto and Mimi Huang in Spring 1995:

It all started in a Chinese restaurant in Washington D.C. While attending the National Convention in December 1984, eight members of the Iota Phi Chapter dined with two Gamma Chapter brothers, Jesse Wagner and Esther Pearl of Cornell University. After discussing and comparing the two schools, Iota Phi found that Cornell's chapter was very similar to ours at UC Davis. Student population, student interest, a high academic standard, an agricultural heritage, and chapter size were shared by both chapters.

With this in mind, Esther Pearl and Matt Algieri, two members of Iota Phi, initiated an amendment to adopt Gamma Chapter as Iota Phi's "Brother Chapter." Members had sent postcards and letters to Cornell and generally kept up a correspondence with them. In return, Iota Phi received letters and a "goodie box" containing their chapter candy, Atomic Fire Balls, a chapter t-shirt, a conference mug, an ancient school newspaper, their Freshman School Record, which their chapter publishes, and other memorabilia from the Gamma Chapter. It was hoped that this unique tradition of school "Brotherhood" would continue.

However, correspondence with Iota Phi's "Brother Chapter" had deteriorated until the 1992 National Convention in Boston. At the convention, both chapters decided to start a new tradition. It became the pledge class' responsibility to gather a "goodie box" containing items unique to Iota Phi and its current pledge class. The "goodie box" contained items unique to Iota Phi and its current pledge class. The "goodie box" would then be sent to the Gamma Chapter before our activation, and when we receive Gamma's response, it would be presented at the Activation Banquet.

Eventually, this tradition fell out of practice. Iota Phi and Gamma may rekindle this relationship in the future.

Trivia

• Iota Phi members often mistakenly call Gamma their "Big Brother Chapter". A "Big Brother" chapter usually refers to a chapter that helps charter or recharter the group, whereas "Brother Chapter" has a very particular meaning to Iota Phi and Gamma.