Sigma Kappa Tau records

Collection

Identifier: MSS 270

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Sigma Kappa Tau records, 1917-2015 and undated, consists of five series. Officers' papers, 1910-2010, contains documents relating to the sorority's governance and activities, as kept by the President, Vice President, and Treasurer. Sorority activities, 1946-2007 and undated, contains documents pertaining to the sorority's membership activities, the "So You Think You Can Sing?" fundraiser, correspondence, and newsletters. Pledge books, 1963-1964 and 2015, contains two pledge books and a beanie. Photographs and scrapbooks, 1917-2012, contains loose photographs, scrapbooks, photobooks, and photo albums depicting Homecoming, Rush, pledging, and other activities. Realia, 1961-1966, 2006-2009 and undated, includes novelty programs, clothing, jewelry, rush party favors, and other commemorative items.

Dates

Creation: 1910-2015 and undated

Creator

Rulis, Alfreda Carlson (Person)
Sigma Kappa Tau (Augustana College (Rock Island, Ill.)) (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

1963 pledge book restricted to current members and alumnae. Some materials in the Photographs and scrapbooks series restricted to current members and alumnae 10 years from date of creation.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from Augustana College Special Collections and the copyright holder.

Historical Note

The Sigma Kappa Tau sorority was founded at Augustana College in 1909 as the QTs, a name meant to signify the "quiet," secret nature of the group. Secret organizations were not permitted by the college, so members met at the home of a sympathetic professor. In 1920, the QTs changed their name Kappa Tau, and the group remained active throughout the next five decades. In 1975, the group collapsed due to lack of finances. The re-chartering of Kappa Tau stemmed from the efforts of four women: Katherina Jette, Lisa Jasnich, Katie Fosser, and Lashon Traywick. By 12 October 1985, they had contacted 28 interested women and met with the Inter-Sorority Council. Although the Inter-Sorority Council declined their request for a charter, the group decided to appeal the case to the Student Personnel Committee 12 December 1985, and the group was officially re-chartered nine days later.

In September 1993, the active members of Kappa Tau changed the sorority's name to Sigma Kappa Tau. When the sorority's numbers dropped again, the 2006 pledge class began an open recruitment process that added 12 new members by winter 2007. As of 2015, the group remains active on Augustana's campus.

Extent

8.1 Cubic Feet (/ 23 boxes, 2 oversize boxes, and 1 oversize folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Sigma Kappa Tau was founded as "the QTs" at Augustana College in 1909. The group faced periods of declining membership and financial struggle before stabilizing and ultimately renaming itself Sigma Kappa Tau. The Sigma Kappa Tau records, 1917-2012 and undated, is arranged into five series: Officers' papers, 1910-2010; Sorority activities, 1946-2007 and undated; Pledge books, 1963-1964 and 2015; Photographs and scrapbooks, 1917-2012; and Realia, 1962-1966, 2006-2009 and undated.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Received from various members of Sigma Kappa Tau in Spring 2008, Summer 2011, Spring and Fall, 2012. Materials in boxes 21, 22, and oversize box 2 received from Alfreda Carlson Rulis in May 2014. Pledge book (2015) received from Natalie McMillan in 2021. Materials in Box 23 received from Norm Moline, 2021.

Processing Information

Processed by Jessica C. Spinder, 2009. Updated by Julia G.Westblade, 2011, 2012, 2013. Updated and encoded by Samantha Crisp, June 2015.Revised by Micaela Terronez, 2021.