Evening star., 1938-05-08

and cadet corps so crippled so that
it was feared competitions would have
to be temporarily discontinued.
One frat with chapters in three Of
the schools went so far as to contest
the boards authority to impose the
rule. A prominent former United
States district attorney was retained
by the students to lead the court
fight This was the climax Of the
whole story. Prominent persons in
the city entered the controversy on
both sides. Then, after nearly three
weeks. the fraternity was denied .
mandamus against the board to re-
instate the fraternity members on the
ground that they did not come into
court with "clean hands" But later
a technicality pointed out by the frat
attorney warranted the decision de-
claring the board rule of June /, 1921,
ineffective"
Another fraternity, Lambda Sigma
of Central, was meanwhile laying
foundation to a new understanding
with the school officials. Standing
alone against the rest of the societies
who backed the court fight, representa-
tives from this frat entered negotia-
tions with the board. They showed
where they could comply with the
rules applied to the school clubs, giving
up certain secrecy characteristics, and
still remain a fraternity. The plan
provided for stated regulations and
restrictions, with a faculty supervisor
who would attend the meetings.
Today-13 years later-there are 81
fraternities and sororities recognized
by the schools. The 500 boys and girls
who are members of these societies
are eligible to any position, Office or
honor in their respective schools they
can attain, but to retain that right
their organizations must comply with
the rules of the board.
During the 13 years there have been
organizations whose approval has been
revoked as well as those to whom ap-
proval has been granted. Usually
though, prominent students are in the
approved societies. These pupils are
only too willing to comply with the
rules in order not to lose their honors
Jeanne Kellogg, president of Theta
Alpha Chi Sorority in Central, voices
her colleagues opinion when she says
THE restrictions aren't strong at all
They don't hinder q good bunch OF
boys or girls from anything they
want"
The point brought out by anti-frat
people that the high school pupils are
merely trying to initiate the college
organizations isn't denied by the pro-
frat people. One former president OF
a local high school sorority who is now
a pledge for a college society declares
"A sorority helps girl in high school
and when she gets to college there's
only one regret in having Joined one;
the thrill of joining a sorority there
| is lost to great extent"
On the other hand, not all the stu
dents will go to college, or, If they go
join a Greek-letter society there. The
outstanding difference between the
high school and college organizations
is financial. That was one of the OBJ
jections made during the cleaning
house" era of 1916; only the pupils
whose parents were wealthy could af-
ford to belong. Today the entire ex-
pense of the high school frats average
$22.5 for the first year and 1854 for
the second. And II the two organiza-
tons which make it compulsory to pur.
chase pin weren't included, 1t would
be much less than that.
Initiation fees, dues and fees Tor
dances and parties comprise the three
necessary expenses for belonging to a
frat. From $2.25 to SIS may be paid
as the initiation fee, while the aver
age is $500. Dues are rs cents every
two weeks in l8 cases out of 81.
Fees for dances and parties vary q
great deal more. There Is one group
whose members pay an average OF
$l8.75 q year in extra fees. There is
another whose average is $3.75. In
spite Of the wide difference in this
respect between these two societies,
they hold equally prominent positions
In school. The average tee expenses
for all. however, Is $10.56.