In the Fall of 1988, two brothers of The Chi Phi Fraternity, Germano Angelini from the University of Southern California and Darren Bycoff, from Ohio Weslyan, transferred to Boston University. In the Spring of 1989, being of like mind, these men decided to pursue the formation of a Chi Phi chapter at Boston University.

The group presented themselves before the Executive Board of the Inter - Fraternity Sorority Council (IFSC) on February 22, 1989. They were accepted and were known thereafter as Interest Group J. On March 2, 1989, the IFSC General Council officially voted the group "Interest Group" status. While they were an interest group the men participated in several events, such as WGBH Telethon, the Organization of the Sesquicentennial Celebration at Boston University's George Sherman Union, and the Walk for Hunger. Tau Zeta participated in their first Boston University Greek Week during the week of April 12th. On the 11th of May, 1989, the Student Activities Office (SAO) recognized Group J as a registered student organization of Boston University.

There were several Philanthropic events the following semester, including the First Annual Chi Phi Haunted House and a Money Tree for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.   However, Interest Group J's attempt to gain colony status and recognition by Boston University was turned down in November by the IFSC.

In March of 1990 an attempt at Colonization with Chi Phi National Fraternity was met with success.  Several days later SAO, after 14 months as an interest group, disallowed the colonization and the IFSC expelled the Chi Phi Colony from campus for conducting a pledge ceremony without the SAO's official approval.

After an absence of over a year and a half from the Greek Community at Boston University, efforts began again to be a part of the University System. Though Tau Zeta had no official affiliation with Boston University they conducted them selves by the school's rules for all social and rush events. Tau Zeta opened a dialogue with the Greek Community and the school in hope of someday returning to Boston University.

In keeping with IFSC interest group guidelines, Tau Zeta held their rush one week after the general rush period.  The semester ended without a decision by SAO on the status of Chi Phi at Boston University.

On May 12, 1993, the Tau Zeta Colony of the Chi Phi Fraternity was approved on Interest Group Status by both the SAO and the IFSC. The Fall of 1993 was a new era for Tau Zeta, it had been three and a half years since Tau Zeta had any official affiliation with Boston University.

On March 25, 1995 Tau Zeta was chartered as a chapter of the Chi Phi Fraternity.

Special thanks to the Tau Zeta Alumni Association for the above information.