The petition of 23 students and adviser and faculty member R. M. Bell to establish Pi Phi local fraternity was granted by the Fraternity Council on February 28, 1928. The fraternity rented a house at 602 West Cumberland Avenue (housing initially 12 members) and subsequently moved to 1618 West Clinch Avenue. Frank Parker was the first president of the group. It was established with the intention of petitioning for a national charter.