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Beta of Clovia records

 Collection
Identifier: ua-01066

Scope and Content

The materials consist of records documenting the founding, development, and history of the Beta of Clovia sorority, as well as information regarding its members. The records include several histories that have been written about Beta of Clovia (1937-1997), photographs, fund raising materials, and administrative documents.

Dates

  • 1930-2015

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection materials in English

Use of Materials

Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Copyright

Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). Requests to publish should be arranged with the University of Minnesota Archives.

Historical Note

Beta of Clovia is an organization originally composed of undergraduate women at the University of Minnesota who had backgrounds in 4-H. Its establishment came about as a result of three University of Minnesota 4-H Club delegates who attended a meeting in 1937 in Manhattan, Kansas. They stayed in a cooperative house while there that housed a sorority of women called Clovia.

The delegates, Audrey Fox, Evelyn Graham and Ardes Shulstad, decided to form a Chapter in Minnesota. Although interest was great, the Kansas group felt that the main purpose for a 4-H sorority such as theirs, was a house which provided cooperative living for its members. While a house was not attainable at that time, the women were anxious to form their own organization. As a result, they established a society that was named Sigma Phi Eta. Audrey Fox was elected as its first president.

The organization continued to work with the Kansas group however, and on May 7, 1939 Beta of Clovia was established at the University of Minnesota. Although the Beta Chapter was not officially established until 1939, October 26, 1937 is considered Founders' Day because at a meeting held on that day, the women resolved to promote the formation of their organization. In the summer of 1939 a house was rented at 1506 Raymond Avenue near the St. Paul Campus. Occupancy took place in the fall of that year.

In 1940 a house at 1502 Raymond went up for sale, and was purchased for $8,000 by the newly established Alumnae Chapter. The Alumnae Chapter was responsible for maintaining the House and many fund raising projects were held over the years to pay for remodeling and renovation. In 1978 an additional house was purchased at 1499 N. Cleveland Avenue and called Clovia East.

Both houses were sold in 1989 and Clovia purchased the former Gamma Omicron Beta sorority located at 2067 Carter Avenue.

Extent

8.25 Cubic Feet (8 boxes (6 record cartons; 1 hollinger; 1 oversize))

Abstract

The collection includes correspondence, clippings, reports, scrapbooks, financial records, photographs, and minutes of the Beta of Clovia sorority at the University of Minnesota.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into ten series:

Historical

Administration

Alumnae

Activities of the Clovia Chapter

Fund Raising Projects

Clovia Members

Chapter House: 1502 Raymond Avenue, St. Paul

Chapter House: 1499 Cleveland Avenue, St. Paul (Clovia East)

Chapter House: 2067 Carter Avenue, St. Paul

Miscellaneous

National Meetings

Source of acquisition

Various members of the Alumnae Chapter have deposited this collection in University Archives over the years starting in 1977.

Title
Beta of Clovia records, 1930-2015
Author
Karen Klinkenberg, updated by Karen Spilman
Date
Updated October 29, 2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Collecting Area Details

Contact The University Archives Collecting Area

Contact:

612-624-0562