Clovia (Beta chapter).

Beta of Clovia is an organization originally composed of undergraduate women at the University of Minnesota who had backgrounds in 4-H. Its establishment came about as a result of three University of Minnesota 4-H Club delegates who attended a meeting in 1937 in Manhattan, Kansas. They stayed in a cooperative house while there that housed a sorority of women called Clovia.

The delegates, Audrey Fox, Evelyn Graham and Ardes Shulstad, decided to form a Chapter in Minnesota. Although interest was great, the Kansas group felt that the main purpose for a 4-H sorority such as theirs, was a house which provided cooperative living for its members. While a house was not attainable at that time, the women were anxious to form their own organization. As a result, they established a society that was named Sigma Phi Eta. Audrey Fox was elected as its first president.

The organization continued to work with the Kansas group however, and on May 7, 1939 Beta of Clovia was established at the University of Minnesota. Although the Beta Chapter was not officially established until 1939, October 26, 1937 is considered Founders' Day because at a meeting held on that day, the women resolved to promote the formation of their organization. In the summer of 1939 a house was rented at 1506 Raymond Avenue near the St. Paul Campus. Occupancy took place in the fall of that year.

In 1940 a house at 1502 Raymond went up for sale, and was purchased for $8,000 by the newly established Alumnae Chapter. The Alumnae Chapter was responsible for maintaining the House and many fund raising projects were held over the years to pay for remodeling and renovation. In 1978 an additional house was purchased at 1499 N. Cleveland Avenue and called Clovia East.

Both houses were sold in 1989 and Clovia purchased the former Gamma Omicron Beta sorority located at 2067 Carter Avenue.

From the guide to the Beta of Clovia records, 1930-2009, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University of Minnesota Archives [uarc])