A charter for the Delta Delta Chapter of Delta Tau Delta was granted UT local fraternity Beta Sigma Alpha March 9, 1924. The chapter was installed February 28, 1925. Beta Sigma Alpha was organized in 1921 with the view of petitioning Delta Tau Alpha. In addition, when the Rainbow Fraternity merged with Delta Tau Delta in 1886, there was a Rainbow Chapter at UT, which then ceased to exist.
Delta Tau Delta was founded on the campus of Bethany College in 1859. The fraternity closed in 2005 because of low membership and reorganized as a colony in 2008. The nickname of the fraternity is Delts, and the colors are royal purple, gold, and white. Its philanthropy is the Adopt-a-School program. Among notable alumni of the national organization are John Fisher, Drew Carey, David Schwimmer, Matthew McConaughey, John Elway, and Mike Mussina. Among traditional parties hosted by the fraternity have been the Rainbow Ball, South Sea Party, Playboy Formal, and Bowery Ball.