Use Restrictions

Copyright for materials authored or otherwise produced as official business of James Madison University is retained by James Madison University. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. For more information, contact the Special Collections Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Access Restrictions

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Additional material (photographs, scanned documents and scrapbook pages) are located on a USB flash drive. This material is awaiting reformatting and is currently unavailable to researchers. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Other Formats Available

Additional material (photographs, scanned documents and scrapbook pages) are located on a USB flash drive. This material is awaiting reformatting and is currently unavailable to researchers.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Kappa Kappa Psi Records, 1958-2009 (bulk 1979-2009), UA 0021, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Acquisition Information

Donated to Special Collections by Kappa Kappa Psi in April 2016.

Processing Information

The collection was largely disorganized and loose with the exception of scrapbooks being organized and labeled chronologically. Organizational files and ephemera were separated first and organized by topic and then date. All loose, non-scrapbooked photographs were separated by discernable date and foldered accordingly.

Administrative History

Kappa Kappa Psi, along with its sister organization Tau Beta Sigma, is a national service fraternity dedicated to providing logistical and organizational support for college and university bands. It was founded on the Oklahoma State University campus in 1919. The organization currently is active on over 200 college and university campuses and consists of 5,000 active members annually.

The Eta Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at James Madison University was initiated in 1979 to assist with the recently formed Marching Royal Dukes. The group was petitioned for colonization by the director of the Marching Royal Dukes, Mike Davis, in March of 1979. The first chapter officers included Ken Langer as president and Tom McKenzie as vice president. The colony was officially initiated and installed on November 9, 1980, becoming the 183rd chapter of the fraternity. Since Eta Omicron's founding, it has served as advising chapter to Theta Psi at Virginia Union University, Iota Xi at Norfolk State University, Kappa Theta at Liberty University, Zeta Psi at Virginia State University, Beta Chi at the University of Virginia, and Mu Nu at Christopher Newport University.

The Eta Omicron chapter is open for membership to anyone who has or is currently participating in a JMU band program, including Marching Royal Dukes, Brass Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, or Wind Symphony. Rush events occur in both fall and spring semesters. Over the course of its existence, Kappa Kappa Psi has worked alongside Tau Beta Sigma to provide services to the Marching Royal Dukes. These services include pre-rehearsal field setup, uniform cleaning, instrument transportation, event preparation, pre-season mailing, and fund raising. These efforts take place year-round for the preparation and maintenance of the marching band. Other duties expected of members include actively participating in a university ensemble, maintaining a 2.0 GPA, maintaining annual dues, ushering at least one university concert per semester, and attending all required meetings.

Scope and Content

The Kappa Kappa Psi Records, 1958-2009 (bulk 1979-2009), consists of 5.86 cubic feet of material stored in 14 boxes. The collections consists primarily of organizational files and photographs that pertain to the Eta Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. The collection also includes assorted ephemeral material as well as a series of annual scrapbooks.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in four series. Series 1 and Series 2 are arranged alphabetically by topic. Series 3 is arranged by form then chronologically. Series 4 is arranged chronologically.

Related Material

Marching Royal Dukes Records, 1975-2016, UA 0016, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Administrative records
• Administrative reports
• Color negatives
• Color slides
• Greek letter societies -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg
• James Madison University -- History
• James Madison University -- Students
• James Madison University. Marching Royal Dukes
• Kappa Kappa Psi
• Letters (correspondence)
• Madison College -- History
• Madison College -- Students
• Music students -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg -- Social life and customs
• Photograph albums
• Photographs
• Printed Ephemera
• Scrapbooks
• Student activities -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg