MS-601: Beta Phi Omega Fraternity History Collection 1

MS-601: Beta Phi Omega Fraternity History Collection

Collection Number: MS-601

Title: Beta Phi Omega Fraternity History Collection

Dates: 1967-2018 (bulk 1967-1975)

Creator: Beta Phi Omega

Summary/Abstract: The collection includes records of one of Wright State University’s earliest fraternities, with

most of the contents pertaining to the organization’s founding and early years, as well as

materials from later reunions. Materials include constitutions and articles of incorporation,

scrapbook, photographs, news clippings, and objects.

Quantity/Physical Description: 1 linear foot and 6.09 GB

Language(s): English

Repository:

Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

45435-0001, (937) 775-2092

Restrictions on Access:

There are no donor-imposed restrictions on accessing material in this collection. All electronic

records listed in this finding aid are processed and available; however, researchers are requested

to provide two business days advance notice when requesting electronic records. Call (937) 775-

2092 or e-mail us at archives@www.libraries.wright.edu.

Restrictions on Use:

Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright.

Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright

holder.

Preferred Citation:

[Description of item, Date, Box #, Folder #], MS-601, Beta Phi Omega Fraternity History

Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, Wright State University,

Dayton, Ohio

Acquisition:

The physical materials and the majority of the electronic content in this collection were donated

to Special Collections and Archives, Wright State University Libraries, by Beta Phi Omega

founding member Richard P. Roy in September 2017. The fraternity’s current president at the

time of the donation, Orien L. Belcher, also signed a deed of gift in March 2017, conferring any

rights held by the organization.

MS-601: Beta Phi Omega Fraternity History Collection 2

Accruals: Additional accruals are anticipated.

Existence and Location of Copies:

Digital surrogates (scans or digital photographs) are available for all original materials

(scrapbook, photographs, clippings, documents and objects) in Series II: Richard Roy. These

files were created by Special Collections and Archives staff.

Existence and Location of Originals:

In Series II: Richard Roy, most of the historical photographs are available only in the form of

digital scans provided by the donor; the original paper photographs are not included in the

collection.

Other Finding Aid:

The finding aid is available on the Special Collections & Archives, Wright State University

Libraries web site at https://www.libraries.wright.edu/special/collectionguides/files/ms601.pdf. It

is also available in the OhioLINK Finding Aid Repository at http://ead.ohiolink.edu/xtf-ead/.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements:

Electronic files require the use of appropriate computer hardware and software. File formats

include JPG, TIF, PDF, and DOCX. (Note: All DOCX files include a PDF preservation copy.)

Related Material:

A video oral history interview with donor Richard Roy about his time at WSU is available online

(https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/archives_retirees/32/) and in the University Archives.

Additional materials concerning this and other Wright State University Greek organizations may

be found in the University Archives.

Processing Information:

Many of the paper items in the collection are copies or printouts from digital scans. Whether a

folder contains copies or originals is indicated at the file level in the Container Listing.

The original scrapbook in Series II uses magnetic pages. When possible, the photographs and

documents were removed from the magnetic pages and placed in archival sleeves. The original

order of the scrapbook has been maintained, and the entire scrapbook was digitized by Special

Collections and Archives staff. Documents found in the scrapbook remain in those original

locations; however, a copy of the Articles of Incorporation has been reproduced and filed

separately for improved access.

Electronic files were minimally rearranged and for the most part retain their original names and

order (with some minor explanatory additions in the processed copy). Full documentation of the

original filenames and paths and any changes made is retained in the E-Archive. In some cases,

multiple copies of the same sets of files were received, and only one set has been retained in the

processed/access copy; however, all original files (including duplicates) can be found in the

preservation master copy.

MS-601: Beta Phi Omega Fraternity History Collection 3

Newspaper clippings have been scanned and a reproduction placed in the collection. Original

clippings attached to scrapbook pages have been retained; loose clippings were returned to the

donor. One complete issue of The Guardian WSU newspaper (29 September 1969) was

transferred to University Archives, with the donor’s permission, after relevant sections were

reproduced for this collection.

Processed by:

Finding aid written according to DACS standards by Lisa Rickey, October 2018.

Arrangement: The collection is arranged according to the contributor of the records. Each contributor to the

collection will sign his own deed of gift and have his own series, so that his materials are

accessed and used in the manner he prescribed in his own deed of gift.

The collection is currently arranged in two series:

Series I: Official Records, 2018

Series II: Richard P. Roy, 1967-2017

Biographical/Historical Note:

Beta Phi Omega was one of the earliest fraternities at Wright State University. It was founded

September 21, 1967, by twelve founding members, including Richard Roy, who served as its

Vice President and later President. The fraternity is, according to its constitution, “an association

of men who have committed themselves to the principles of brotherhood, individual

development, leadership, academic excellence, and mutual respect.” The group’s nickname is the

“Barflies.” The fraternity continues to be active on campus.

Scope and Content Note:

Series I, Official Records, includes materials transferred from the active fraternity. Currently,

this series includes only the most recent constitution and by-laws, dated 2018. An electronic

version is also available in the E-Archive.

Series II, Richard P. Roy, includes materials donated by Richard P. Roy, one of the fraternity’s

founding members. It includes documents, photographs, news clippings, and objects from the

organization’s early history, as well as materials from later reunions. Items in this series date

from 1967 to 2017. An electronic version or representation (i.e., photographs of the three-

dimensional objects) of all items in this series can be found in the E-Archives.

Subject Terms

Persons/Families

Roy, Richard P.

Organizations/Corporate Names

Beta Phi Omega

MS-601: Beta Phi Omega Fraternity History Collection 4

Places

Wright State University -- History

Subjects (General)

Greek letter societies

Material Types

Clippings (information artifacts)

Electronic records (digital records)

Photographs

Realia

Speeches

Electronic File Formats

DOCX

JPEG

PDF

TIFF

MS-601: Beta Phi Omega Fraternity History Collection 5

Collection Inventory

Box File Description Date

Series I: Official Records

Existence and Location of Copies:

An electronic version is also available in the E-Archives Processed

folder\Series I.

2018

1 1 Constitution and By-Laws 2018

Series II: Richard P. Roy

Existence and Location of Copies:

An electronic version or representation (i.e., photographs of the

three-dimensional objects) of all items in this series can be found in

the E-Archives Processed folder \Series II.

1967-2017

1 2 First Constitution (copy) Circa 1967

1 3 Constitution (copy) Circa 1975

1 4 Articles of Incorporation (copy, original in

scrapbook)

(Electronic version in Scrapbook,

ms601_e0003_img011.tif)

1976

1 5 Constitution of the Alumni Association (copy) Circa 1998

1 6 Scrapbook (original) 1967-1981, Undated

1 7 Photographs (original) Circa 1968

E-Only Photographs (digital scans located in E-

Archives\MS-601 Beta Phi

Omega\PROCESSED\Series II\Photos)

Existence and Location of Originals:

Most of the historical photographs are available only

in the form of digital scans provided by the donor;

the original paper photographs are not included in

the collection.

Circa 1967-1975

1 8 News Clippings (copies)

(Electronic version filed with Photos and Scrapbook

by creator)

1968-1969

1 9 History 1967-1970 for the Web Site (copy) Undated

1 10 History Notes (some original) 1970-1992, Undated

1 11 Newsletter (copy) 1975-1976

1 12 Reunion: Silver Anniversary Celebration (original) 1992

E-Only Reunion Photographs (born-digital originals) 2012

MS-601: Beta Phi Omega Fraternity History Collection 6

Box File Description Date

Located in E-Archives\MS-601 Beta Phi

Omega\PROCESSED\Series II\Photos\Reunions)

1 13 Reunion Speech (copy) 2012

1 14 Reunion Speech (copy) 2017

2 1 Framed painting of fraternity crest (8x10) (original) Circa 1967-1970

2 2-4 T-shirts (3) (original) Circa 1967-1970

3 1 Stein (1) (original) Circa 1967-1970

3 2 Goblet (1) (original) Circa 1967-1970

3 3-4 Pins (2) (original) Circa 1967-1970

3 5 Patch (1) (original) Circa 1967-1970

MS-601: Beta Phi Omega Fraternity History Collection 7

Appendix:

Images of Objects from Series II: Richard P. Roy

Box 2, Item 1

Framed painting of fraternity

crest (8x10)

Box 2, Item 2

T-shirt 1 (red with yellow)

Box 2, Item 3

T-shirt 2 (red with yellow)

Box 2, Item 4

T-shirt 3 (red with yellow)

MS-601: Beta Phi Omega Fraternity History Collection 8

Box 3, Item 1

Ceramic Stein (red with gold

letters)

Box 3, Item 2

Goblet (silver colored)

Box 3, Item 3

Pin 1 (gold): “Familia Sodalitas

Schola”

Box 3, Item 4

Pin 2 (yellow with red letters):

“I [heart] BΦΩ Barflies”

MS-601: Beta Phi Omega Fraternity History Collection 9

Box 3, Item 5

Patch