Q.T.V.
Q.T.V.
Defunct US national fraternity
Q.T.V. is a dormant national fraternity that was founded in 1869 at Massachusetts Agricultural College, incorporating in 1890. Its last chapter ceased activity in 1976.[1]
| Q.T.V. | |
|---|---|
| Founded | May 12, 1869; 154 years ago (1869-05-12) Massachusetts Agricultural College (UMass) |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Scope | Regional (New England) |
| Colors | White and Brown |
| Flower | White Carnation |
| Publication | QTV Alumni Bulletin |
| Chapters | 6, all dormant |
| Successor(s) | Scattered |
| Headquarters | USA |
Q.T.V. was the pioneer fraternity on the campus of Massachusetts Agricultural College, now the University of Massachusetts Amherst, founded on May 12, 1869. It is one of very few Latin-named fraternities, and the only one to flirt with national aims. References indicate that fraternal inquiries from emerging groups at "state schools" were met with skepticism by the established national fraternities, even those close by. This may have been the impetus for formation of the new organization, it coming just two years after the foundation of the school. Soon after, several other Latin named fraternities, all short lived, would emerge, both on the UMass campus (D.G.K., also in 1869 and C.S.C. in 1879[lower-alpha 1]) and at the University of Maine (the E.C. Society in 1875, followed by K.K.F. in 1884 and S.I.U. in 1889). The "Latin moment" fizzled; most of these soon would opt to become chapters of other Greek-named national fraternities before launching themselves beyond local status.[2]
Q.T.V. was able to expand nationally over the next two decades, but lost chapters seeking firmer footing as "Greek Named" organizations.
Q.T.V. eventually disbanded as a national fraternity in the 20th century, with its four of its six chapters becoming associated with other Greek life organizations. After 1901 only the mother chapter remained, which operated as a local fraternity at UMass until 1976, surpassing the century mark in age.[2] Its last mention in the Index yearbook were in Senior bios in the late 1960s at a time when all groups experienced a precipitous decline and while the yearbooks de-emphasized Greek coverage.
The colors of the Fraternity were White and Brown.
The flower of the Fraternity was the White Carnation.
The surviving UMass chapter published The QTV Alumni Bulletin for many years.[3]
These were the chapters of Q.T.V., and where known, their outcomes.[2]
| Chapter | Informal name |
Installed Date and Range |
University | City | State | Outcome | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha (Α) | "Amherst" | May 12, 1869-1976 | Massachusetts Agricultural College (UMass) | Amherst | MA | Disbanded | [2] |
| Beta (Β) | "Orono" | February 28, 1874-October 24, 1899 | University of Maine | Orono | ME | Withdrew, (ΦΓΔ) | [2][4][5][lower-alpha 2] |
| Gamma (Γ) | "Granite" | 1881-1901 | University of New Hampshire | Durham | NH | Withdrew, (ΚΣ) | [2][6][lower-alpha 3] |
| Delta (Δ) | "Keystone" | 1885-1890 | Pennsylvania State University | University Park | PA | Withdrew, (ΦΚΣ) | [2][7][lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 5] |
| Epsilon (Ε) | "Cornell" | November 1, 1888-1890 | Cornell University | Ithaca | NY | Disbanded | [2][8] |
| Zeta (Ζ) | "Worcester" | 1886-1891 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Worcester | MA | Withdrew, (ΦΓΔ) | [2][9][10][lower-alpha 6] |
- The C.S.C. was the Campus Shakespeare Club, which would eventually become a chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi.
- The Orono chapter appears to have formed as a colony. Upon withdrawal from Q.T.V. it became the Omega Mu chapter of Phi Gamma Delta.
- The Granite chapter appears to have formed as a colony. Upon withdrawal from Q.T.V. it became the Beta-Kappa chapter of Kappa Sigma.
- An errant reference notes this chapter went to ΚΣ, but Baird's Archive clarifies it went to ΦΚΣ. The latter seems correct because the 1890 date matches what would have been a switch of loyalties after debate, with uninterrupted operation; Penn State's ΚΣ chapter came about two years later, what would have been a long stretch of dormancy, where no noted predecessor is listed in Baird's.
- The Keystone chapter appears to have formed as a colony. Upon withdrawal from Q.T.V. it became the Psi chapter of Phi Kappa Sigma.
- The Worcester chapter appears to have formed as a colony. Upon withdrawal from Q.T.V. it became the Pi Iota chapter of Phi Gamma Delta.
- Index. Amherst, Massachusetts: Massachusetts Agricultural College. 1910. The Fraternity was noted for many years in the school yearbook.
- William Raimond Baird; Carroll Lurding (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive), page showing Q.T.V." Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved 8 Aug 2021. The main archive URL is The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage.
- Noted in the 1923 UMass Index yearbook, p.130, and the 1946 UMass Index yearbook, p.118, accessed 8 Aug 2021.
- The University of Maine's campus portal for Fiji, accessed 21 August 2022.
- "Maine Fiji History". Retrieved 21 August 2022.
- Mentioned as the campus pioneer chapter at New Hampshire, on the introductory page to the Greek System, accessed 1 Dec 2020.
- Noted in the Cornell Sun, 2 Nov 1888, accessed 1 Dec 2020.
- Dates from Conlin MQPR, 26 Apr 2014, accessed 1 Dec 2020.
- "Seventy Years Of The Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Page 157". web.wpi.edu. Retrieved 2022-03-05.