Phi Kappa Psi Society records

Phi Kappa Psi came into being in 1892 when five members of Alpha Society, Smith's first literary society, decided to form their own group. According to its constitution, Phi Kappa Psi's purpose was "1) to encourage and help maintain a high grade of scholarship, especially in literary lines, by its requirements for membership and by the literary character of its meetings, 2) by association to bring into more intimate and friendly relations girls who are congenial in aims and interests, and 3) by open meetings to contribute in a general way to the literary interests of Smith College."

Membership was based upon a young woman's scholarship, special talents, and her qualification as a "representative girl." Meetings were held monthly and included the singing of songs and the preparation and production of plays, in addition to the publication of a quarterly magazine. In 1934 Alpha Society and Phi Kappa Psi elected to combine as student interests shifted away from the arts. The new organization, Alpha-Phi Kappa Psi, allowed both societies to endure.

In 1938 Alpha-Phi Kappa Psi adopted a new constitution which limited its membership to thirty students who had distinguished themselves in one or more of the arts. This reflected the Society's ideological shift over the years from "an amusement society," as it was described by an 1883 member, to "an honorary [sic] society which recognizes outstanding creative achievement," as it was described in 1938. Activities of Alpha-Phi Kappa Psi were last recorded in 1968.