Pi Delta Psi


Pi Delta Psi is an Asian American cultural interest fraternity founded at Binghamton University on February 20, 1994. As of 2020, the organization listed over 3,000 liftetime members spanning 30 undergraduate chapters and 1 alumni chapter.
This organization is a member of the National APIDA Panhellenic Association.

History

Pi Delta Psi fraternity was founded at Binghamton University on February 20, 1994. The fraternity's founding members are David Lee, Philip Hunt, Sammy Wong, Spencer Seto, Ronny Chow, Damien Lee, Thuan Luong, Chester Huang, Christopher Murata, Tracy B. Tabije, and Michael Son.
, winter 1996
A year after its founding, Pi Delta Psi was officially incorporated in the State of New York on April 19, 1995.
After five years, the fraternity had grown too large for the Pi Delta Psi National Council to maintain. Thus in 1999, it was decided by the National Council to restructure itself in an effort to grow in proportion to the fraternity's expansion rate, standardize chapters nationwide, and increase inter-chapter cohesion. The National Council was also renamed the "National Executive Board" during that period.
After 25 years, this fraternity has expanded to 31 campuses spanning 14 states

Mission statement

Pi Delta Psi and its members seek to bring about Asian-American unity by breaking down cultural barriers amongst Asian communities by upholding and/or instilling the fraternities pillars: academic achievement, cultural awareness, righteousness, friendship, and loyalty. Pi Delta Psi's mission statement also advocates an increase in education and awareness of Asian cultures as a means of overcoming racism.

National events

National Convention

Pi Delta Psi holds an annual National Convention in the August of each year. The National Convention is a formal 2-day meeting of members where the National Executive Board meets and discusses relevant fraternity issues with active members from all chapters. Discussed issues involve an overview of the fraternity, creating general goals, and national expansion. Cultural, professional, and/or leadership workshops are also held. The location of each year's National Convention is usually determined at the previous convention and changes annually.

National Winter Conference

Pi Delta Psi holds an annual National Winter Conference during the month of January each year. The Winter Conference is a daylong leadership retreat where the National Executive Board meets and discusses relevant fraternity issues with representatives from each undergraduate chapters. The event is typically held in the New York metropolitan area.

National Summer Weekend

Pi Delta Psi holds an annual National Summer Weekend during the month of July each year. The National Summer Weekend is a 2-3 day series of events that includes the National Summer BBQ, National Summer Conference, and National Summer Banquet.
The National Summer BBQ is normally held at Alley Pond Park in Queens, New York, and includes sporting events and chapter fundraising activities.
The National Summer Conference is a private half day event where the National Executive Board meets and discusses relevant fraternity issues with active chapter members. Elections for the following year's National Executive Board also takes place during this event. The Conference is normally held in the New York metropolitan area.
The National Summer Banquet is a formal dinner event for Pi Delta Psi members which is normally held near the location of the National Summer Conference. National announcements such as awards and scholarships are presented during this event.

Cultural awareness

At the chapter level, each chapter is required to host a set number of cultural events on campus each year depending on the chapter's size; failure to achieve this annual criterion will result in the chapter losing its chapter status.

Philanthropy

The national philanthropy of Pi Delta Psi for 2009 was the March of Dimes, and fraternity is still an official team youth partner.
Formerly, Pi Delta Psi's national philanthropy was the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program. All chapters were expected to work closely with the Big Brothers program in their own campus community. At the Chapter level, each Chapter was required to participate in a set number of philanthropy events each year depending on the Chapter's size; failure to achieve this annual criteria resulted in the chapter having its status revoked.

Controversies

In December 2013, prospective member Chun Hsien "Michael" Deng died from brain trauma due to suspected hazing during an unsanctioned pledge event at the Baruch College chapter. Deng, 18 was a recent graduate of The Bronx High School of Science. Deng and four other pledges wore 30 lb. backpacks filled with sand while members of the fraternity tackled them during a ritual known as "The Glass Ceiling," which represented Asian American struggle in the United States. Despite Deng becoming immediately unconscious, his fraternity brothers failed to call for emergency help, instead attempting to cover up the incident. Baruch College responded by permanently banning the fraternity from their campus.
Andy Meng, the former National Executive President for Pi Delta Psi said in a statement the incident happened during "an unsanctioned event that was strictly prohibited by our organization." After investigating the incident, the fraternity revoked its affiliation with the Baruch chapter. Baruch also banned the fraternity from ever returning. In February, 2014, the death was ruled a homicide, and the Monroe County district attorney expects to file charges after the investigation. Deng's parent's had filed a lawsuit against the fraternity, including Mr. Meng, who is the younger brother of U.S. representative Grace Meng. When Deng lost consciousness his fraternity brothers called Andy Meng who allegedly told them to conceal any evidence of the fraternity before calling the authorities. On September 14, 2015, charges were filed against 37 members, including five for third-degree murder. Andrew Meng is facing charges of hazing, conspiracy and hindering apprehension.
On January 8, 2018, four men were sentenced to jail time as a result of the hazing incident subsequent to guilty pleas to charges of voluntary manslaughter, hindering apprehension and other charges. Additionally, a Pennsylvania stated judge banned the national fraternity from operating in the state for ten years.

Chapter locations

Greek Letter DesignationCollegiate InstitutionCharter DateStatusCityU.S. State/District
Alpha chapterBinghamton UniversityFebruary 20, 1994ActiveVestalNew York
Beta chapterSUNY BuffaloDecember 3, 1994ActiveBuffaloNew York
Gamma chapterHofstra UniversityDecember 7, 1996InactiveHempsteadNew York
Delta chapterStony Brook UniversityMay 17, 1997ActiveStony BrookNew York
Zeta chapterNew York UniversityMay 17, 1997ActiveNew YorkNew York
Eta chapterSUNY AlbanyDecember 13, 1997ActiveAlbanyNew York
Theta chapterRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteDecember 13, 1997ActiveTroyNew York
Iota chapterUniversity of RochesterNovember 24, 1997InactiveRochesterNew York
Kappa chapterCornell UniversityApril 25, 1998ActiveIthacaNew York
Lambda chapterRutgers UniversityNovember 21, 1998InactiveNew BrunswickNew Jersey
Mu chapterThe Ohio State UniversityApril 22, 2000ActiveColumbusOhio
Nu chapterCarnegie Mellon UniversityDecember 8, 2001InactivePittsburghPennsylvania
Xi chapterUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstNovember 24, 1999ActiveAmherstMassachusetts
Omicron chapterThe George Washington UniversityNovember 15, 2003ActiveWashingtonDistrict of Columbia
Pi chapterUniversity of Maryland at College ParkNovember 13, 2004InactiveCollege ParkMaryland
Rho chapterUniversity of California, RiversideMarch 30, 2002InactiveRiversideCalifornia
Sigma chapterUniversity of FloridaNovember 13, 2004ActiveGainesvilleFlorida
Tau chapterPennsylvania State UniversityApril 19, 2003ActiveUniversity ParkPennsylvania
Upsilon chapterRochester Institute of TechnologyNovember 18, 2006InactiveHenriettaNew York
Phi chapterUniversity of Central FloridaApril 7, 2008ActiveOrlandoFlorida
Chi chapterUniversity of South FloridaNovember 9, 2008ActiveTampaFlorida
Psi chapterSaint John's UniversityNovember 8, 2008InactiveQueensNew York
Omega chapterUniversity of ConnecticutApril 12, 2008ActiveStorrsConnecticut
Alpha Alpha chapterNortheastern UniversityNovember 19, 2005ActiveBostonMassachusetts
Alpha Beta chapterColumbia UniversityApril 23, 2005InactiveNew YorkNew York
Alpha Gamma chapterGeorge Mason UniversityNovember 17, 2012ActiveFairfaxVirginia
Associate chapterUniversity of Colorado at BoulderDecember 6, 2009ActiveBoulderColorado
Associate chapterUniversity of MinnesotaApril 16, 2011ActiveMinneapolisMinnesota
Established ColonyCUNY BaruchDecember 5, 2010RevokedNew YorkNew York
Established ColonyUniversity of California, BerkeleyDecember 4, 2011InactiveBerkeleyCalifornia
Established ColonyGeorgia State UniversityMarch 11, 2017ActiveAtlantaGeorgia