Before They Were Students

Although men students sought social interactions with women, many fraternities upheld racist and sexist membership restrictions. Alpha Tau Omega only accepted white, Christian men. Kappa Sigma’s statement reflects the antisemitism of post World War II America by prohibiting Jewish people, claiming that they have “pronounced tendencies toward the selfish advancement of the general membership of the chapter fraternity.” The College elected to terminate fraternities in 1997, largely due to their discriminatory policies and incompatibility with coeducation.

Faculty Committee on Fraternities to President Sills, April 26, 1947