Initiations, 1928 - 1966

Founded in 1906, Delta Sigma Rho is a national society dedicated to excellence in forensics, including speech, discussion and debate. In 1915, a chapter of DSR was established at Bates College, serving as an administrative framework for the Bates Debate Council. The first subseries contains material specifically relating to the Bates Chapter of DSR, including secretary's reports, financial records, meeting minutes, announcements and memoranda, membership lists and initiation procedures. The second subseries contains some of the Bates chapter's correspondence, both internal and external. The third subseries contains materials relating to the national organization of Delta Sigma Rho, including general administration, histories of the society, annual conventions and awards, events surrounding DSR's 50th Anniversary in 1956, and the merger of Delta Sigma Rho and Tau Kappa Alpha in 1963. Also included are materials relating to an extensive evaluation of the society's membership policies headed by Brooks Quimby, and several editions of DSR's official publication The Gavel. Of particular interest is material relating to a controversy in the 1920's over the admission of African-American students into the society, including multiple petitions submitted by the Bates chapter.