History
The idea of starting both Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma chapters at Vanderbilt began circulating throughout the Spirit of Gold in the fall of 1986. However, the Vanderbilt administration refused to grant charters to two organizations so similar. Since the sisters of Tau Beta Sigma were further along in the colonization process, they were given permission to form their chapter. After a year of hard work, the Eta Phi Chapter was installed on December 5, 1987 and became part of the Southeastern District. The first action of the newly formed Eta Phi chapter was to declare the chapter co-ed and to pledge men into the 8 member Alpha class.
Since its inception, the chapter has been honored with the "Progressive Chapter Award" as well as the "National Service Award" several times. Eta Phi earned a "National Service Award" for the first time in 1989 for their work in creating the Vanderbilt Marching Invitational. In 1991, the chapter was again honored with the "Outstanding Chapter Achievement Award." The chapter served as editor of the "8th Note" in 1990. We also were a finalist for "Chapter of the Biennium" for 1999 as well as for 2001. Finally, Eta Phi hosted the Southeast District Convention in 2001.
We have doubled in size over the last few years, and we now have 55 members strong. With our new numbers and leadership, we are extending into the Vanderbilt and Nashville communities like never before.
Tau Beta Sigma: the organization
Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority was founded March 26, 1946. It originally started on the campus of Texas Tech University, but due to difficulities involving certain Texas state corporation laws, they graciously surrendered their name "Tau Beta Sigma", their constitution, ritual and jewelry designs to the local band club at Oklahoma University, in order that the national organization could be established. Thus Oklahoma University became the Alpha Chapter, and Texas Tech the Beta Chapter. On March 26, 1946, a charter was granted by the department of state for the State of Oklohoma legally establishing "Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority," later amended to "Tau Beta Sigma."