Seven of ten universities and colleges in the U.S. were co-educational, and seventeen of them included one of the five Greek-letter national fraternities that existed at the time.
DePauw University establishes a School of Music and James Hamilton Howe joins the faculty as its dean.
Dresses are of a modest fabric, and a woman's hair is "her crowning glory," though never worn down. Instead, women pile their hair on their head or pull it into a bun at the nape of the neck.
The design for a lyre badge is adopted soon after the founding in the fall of 1885, and Bertha Deniston Cunningham (Alpha, DePauw University) purchases the first badge.
In the fall of 1885, the seven original founders invite eight friends from the School of Music to join Alpha Chi Omega.
Seven female students at the DePauw University School of Music meet with Dean James Hamilton Howe at his invitation to begin the process of forming "a society for musical and social improvement."
The members of the new women's fraternity, Alpha Chi Omega, announce their presence by parading across campus to attend chapel at Meharry Hall in East College.
The minutes from the December 5, 1885 meeting show the first reference to establishing additional chapters.
The second chapter, Beta, is established at Albion College in Michigan.
Gamma chapter is established at Northwestern University.
In the early years, the Fraternity was governed by the Grand Chapter and general officers were elected from the chapters by rotation. Janette Allen Cushman, an undergraduate member of Beta (Albion College) chapter, serves as the second president (after Estelle Leonard) from 1891-93.
Delta chapter is established at Allegheny College.
Alpha (DePauw University) chapter hosted the first ever convention. There were six attendees from Alpha, Beta (Albion College) and Gamma (Northwestern University) chapters. Major decisions included determining national offices, selecting officers, creating the pledging ceremony and planning for the Fraternity magazine.
The First National Convention is held by Alpha (DePauw University) chapter in 1891 at the homes of Anna Allen Smith (Alpha, DePauw University) and Ethel Sutherlin (Alpha, DePauw University). Representatives from Alpha (DePauw University), Beta (Albion College) and Gamma (Northwestern University) chapters were present.
Undergraduate Mary Elizabeth Stanford (Gamma, Northwestern University) serves as president of the Fraternity from 1893-94.
Hosted by Beta chapter, Albion College the second convention brought ten attendees. Significant votes made were; resignation and expulsion forms were ordered and fledge pin was selected. The fledge pin was the first new member pin and featured a small lyre stick with white enamel chapter head.
Undergraduate Charlotte Weber Seiple (Delta, Allegheny College), serves as president of the Fraternity from 1894-96.
In women's fashion, necklines are high, hemlines touch the floor and the bustle is "in."
The third convention occurred just one year after the second and was held at Northwestern University with 20 attendees. Beta (Albion College) chapter was made Grand Chapter; Alpha chapter had held this title since 1885. Membership card files were created to track and maintain membership information, and the cost of charters went up to $20 ($600 today).