Table of ContentsCollection OverviewCollection Inventory+/-Biographical Note/Historical NoteContent DescriptionCollection UseAdministrative InformationSubjects |
Collection Overview +/-
Collection Inventory +/-Biographical Note/Historical Note +/-Delta Psi Omega is the junior college equivalent of Alpha Psi Omega, the National Theatre Honor Society. Although called a fraternity, Westminster's Delta Psi Omega membership comprised both men and women. The national organization has continued to flourish, along with its parent organization, Alpha Psi Omega. However, Westminster no longer has a chapter ("cast") of Delta Psi Omega. It has been replaced by the Westminster Players and Westminster Theatre Society, neither one a national organization. Westminster Theatre Society provides theater activities for Westminster students and the community to bring a better appreciation of theater arts to the college and familiarize people with the operations of stage productions. Activities include trips to off campus performances and theater conferences, workshops, service projects, social gatherings, and productions. Membership is open to students, alumni, and other individuals who have an interest in theater. Westminster Players was founded in 1984 by Jay W. Lees. The Westminster Players perform at least four different productions each year in the Jay W. Lees Courage Theatre or Dumke Student Theatre. These shows range from musical comedies to historical dramas, and even include one-act plays directed by Westminster students. Westminster College Department of Theatre Arts offers three degrees:
Content Description +/-This collection consists of a single volume of handwritten minutes of the local chapter at Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah) of the national theater organization, Delta Psi Omega. The minutes date from 1929-1942. The constitution and bylaws of the organization are printed in the beginning of the book. The Constitution articles cover such topics as Name and Classification, Membership, National Organizations and Conventions, Powers and Duties, New Chapters, Dues and fees, Insignia, and National Publications. The Bylaws cover the following topics: Casts and their Organizations, Officers, Meetings, Committees, Dues, Routine Regulations, Transfers, Purchase of Badge, and Pledge Instructions. There were bylaws added at meetings in 1929, 1936, and 1938 concerning eligibility, initiation, and voting, respectively. Following the constitution and bylaws, there is a large handwritten membership role. All the meetings were held in Converse Hall. The first meeting was held April 30, 1929. All meetings began with a reading of the minutes of the last one or two meetings. Periodically new officers were elected (stage manager, business manager, and head usher). New eligible members were discussed, voted upon, and an initiation committee formed to send invitations. Initiations were also recorded in the book. Another common topic of discussion was to accept new colleges as "chapters" in the national fraternity. Business meetings (of the officers) were often held afterwards. Other topics of discussion included yearbook pages, insignia, stationary, pins, keys, jewelry, penalties, and parties. At one meeting in September 1933, it was decided that Delta Psi Omega and Westminster Players were considered to be different organizations. At another meeting it was decided to subscribe to Players Magazine. At many meetings Playbill was distributed and plans to attend plays in the community was discussed. They also discussed ways to make viewing their own plays better, and to make initiation more enjoyable. Loose pages (ephemera) located throughout the minute book were removed and separately within a folder. There were several loose papers placed in the beginning of the book. These papers were all handwritten. One is a blank piece of stationary with Delta Psi Omega's official seal. There is also what appeared to be a rough draft of an invitation to join Delta Psi Omega. There are two lists of people's names and addresses, presumably members or alumni and one list entitled "Delta Psi Omega alumni". There is an undated note to Miss Ardrey, the director at the time, from a "Bobbi" saying "Here is the minutes book". There are also two cardboard signs written in marker -– one saying "General Heckling" and the other saying "Heckling by officers only". It is supposed these were used at parties. Collection Use +/-Restrictions on Access: Open to public research. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law. Twenty-four hours advance notice is encouraged. Restrictions on Use: It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material must be obtained from the director of the Giovale Library. Preferred Citation: Westminster College Delta Psi Omega records, 1929-1942, ACC-035, Giovale Library Archives, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah. Administrative Information +/-Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by meeting date. Processing Note: Processed by Laura Richey in June 2003. Creator: Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983). Delta Psi Omega chapter Language: Collection materials are in English. Quantity: 0.2 linear feet; 1 volume Language of the Finding Aid: English. Author of the Finding Aid: Finding aid written by Laura Richey in June 2003; biographical note expanded July 2012 by Sarah Shaw. EAD Creation Date: 2012 April 18 by Sarah Shaw Standard: Describing Archives : A Content Standard (DACS) Subarea: ArchivesRelated Material: Related photograph in Giovale Library Archives: Subjects +/-Corporate Names: Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)--Students--Societies, etc. Subject Terms: College theater--Utah--Salt Lake City--History--Sources Form or Genre Terms: Bylaws (administrative records)
Geographical Names: Salt Lake City (Utah)--History--Sources |
