It was spring of 1869. The university founded in 1865 was in its first full year of operation. But already the Greek secret societies were dominant, leading to considerable jealousy, exclusiveness and rancor. The first attempt to counter the secret Greek fraternities was the short-lived “Independent Organization.” Several of its leaders began exploring the founding of a new kind of fraternity.
Led by G. F. Behringer, ’69, a DU from the University of the City of N. Y., and with the support of the Hamilton and Rochester chapters, the men began meeting at the Ithaca Hotel. An early history of the chapter recounts the story:
At the close of the first university year at least six fraternities were represented by organized chapters. After several secret societies had been organized, and had given the usual evidences of their character, a movement was initiated to form an anti-secret society.
On Monday May 17th 1869, at 4 P.M., in the parlor of the Ithaca Hotel, the Cornell Chapter of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity was formally organized, consisting of the following seven members: G. F. Behringer, J. O’Neill, T. B. Cornstock, R. O. Kellogg, G. W. Ingraham, E. D. Leffingwell, and L. F. Judson. The chapter met with a severe reception at the hands of secret society men, as well as of some of the members of the “Independent” organization. The former attacked the chapter as a whole, and the members thereof in particular, with malice and derision. The columns of the university paper (The Cornell Era) were filled with vituperation and abuse. …
But despite all opposition the chapter grew in numbers, exerting a positive influence for good, and demonstrating beyond the shadow of a doubt that all the benefits claimed by secret fraternities can be obtained without resorting to secrecy, and for this very reason, all the evils and dangers averted, which invariably accompany college secret societies.
The chapter was represented at the convention of the Fraternity, held June 9th & 10th 1869 at Madison University, Hamilton, N. Y. [later, Colgate University] and was formally admitted and welcomed to the fellowship of the Fraternity. At the close of the first University year, the chapter numbered 14 members (active), two of whom were of the first class of graduates. So far from being the “scum” of secret societies or of the university, no less than 7 prizes were taken up to that time by members of the chapter; and quite a number received honorable mention.
Alumni Association
For several decades after its founding the Cornell chapter met at various locations in Ithaca, including the Ithaca Hotel and a rooming house on Eustus Street (College Avenue). With the evential goal being the constructon of a chapter house, alumni leaders in 1882 began discussing the creation of an alumni association.
On June 14, 1882, the Cornell Delta Upsilon Association was born. Present were John H. Comstock ’74 — of Comstock Hall — and two future presidents of Stanford University: David Starr Jordan ’72, Stanford’s first, and John C. Branner ’74, its second.
CDUA’s First Minutes
