Pi Chapter House is architecturally significant for its Neoclassical design and its historic role as "the oldest intact surviving fraternity residence at Syracuse University and for its association with the emergence of fraternal organizations as major components of Syracuse college life at the turn of the 20th century."[4]
The building underwent a $350,000 facade renovation in phases between 2009 and 2013. The crowning touches were completed in September 2014.[2][5] The renovations were intended to restore the house to its historical architectural integrity. The exterior was painted white, replacing the darker yellow tint enduring since the mid-1970s.
The Pi chapter of Psi Upsilon was established at Syracuse University in 1875, but was operating before that when SU was known as Genessee college, under the name Upsilon Kappa. Upsilon Kappa was a secret society that disbanded after every chapter meeting, in an effort to preserve secrecy without members lying to outsiders about their participation.
