Evening star., 1949-11-27
Fraternity Group
Urges Ban on
Discrimination
National Conferences
Resolution Called
Purely Advisory

0'Sa/ HS''SS
The National Interfraternity
Conference recommendation to
Greek-letter college societies that
membership restrictions based on
race or creed be eliminated. if
they 50 elect. was interpreted last
night by a conference official as
a purely advisory proposal.
The resolution, adopted yester-
day by a vote of 36 to 3, with 10
qualified groups abstaining from
voting. is definitely a formal dec
laration Of policy. however. one
member of the new executive
committee emphasized.
What effect the resolution may
have on those fraternities who
have restrictive clauses against
certain groups remains to be
seen.
Wide Variety of Rules.
There is wide variety of con-
stitutions, rules and regulations
among the fraternities, some hav-
ing no restrictions, others having
definite bars to certain classes,
and others remaining silent.
There is no authority the inter-
fraternity group can use to en-
force its recommendation, one
prominent official explained, but
the resolution does establish policy
Of the big group, and may be con-
sidered by some fraternities wrest-
ling with the problem.
1T probably will have some ef-
feet on those who are keeping
their fingers on the pulse" one
high official said. They might be
guided accordingly"
But of course" he added they
can take 1t or leave it."
The resolution was laid before
the council for the Resolutions
Committee by it's chairman, Har-
old j. Baily of New York city. Its
exact wording follows in full:
Many member fraternities in
the National Interfraternity Con-
ference have never had and do
not now have clauses restricting
membership in their fraternities.
On the other hand some of the
member fraternities at their in
ception adopted selectivity clauses
providing that membership be
confined to sectional or religious
or other qualifying group.
Has No Authority.
"The conference recognizes that
it has no authority with respect
to the membership provision of
member fraternities. and that
selection Of their members is en-
tirely the responsibility and privi-
lege Of the individual fraternities.
However, since this question is
one which has interested a num-
Der of college officials, likewise
number of fraternity men. both
undergraduate and alumni, it is
the conclusion of this committee
that the subject should be COW
cred by an appropriate resolution
at this conference. Therefore
.-esolved:
That it is the sense of this
Conference that:
Il. It recognizes that many
,ember fraternities have had and
)w have restrictive provisions.
''2. It recognizes that the ques-
''on is of concern to many in
crested parties.
"3. It calls these facts to the
~.ttention of all member fraterni-
ties, appreciating that member
ship is an individual fraternity
responsibility.
-. It recommends that men,
bef fraternities that do have
selective membership provisions
consider this question in the light
of prevailing conditions, and take
such steps as they may elect to
eliminate such selectivity provi-
Sions."
Stirs Wide Interest.
The issue stirred wide interest
among both undergraduates, and
graduates during the three-day
sessions at the Mayf1ower Hotel.
Adoption of the resolution was
considered a victory for the un-
dergraduates who have no vote on
the floor of the council. It was
approved after the executive COM
mittee of the council previously
had agreed not to bring up the
issue.
An attempt by Alexander Good
man of Baltimore, executive sec
retary of the Phi Alpha Frater-
nifty, to substitute his more di-
rectly worded resolution failed
yesterday because it was not Sec
onded, and therefore was not
brought to vote.
He proposed repeal or aboli-
ton" of any constitutional pro-
vision or bylaw which "discrimi-
mates against any college student
because of his religion. race. color
or creed"
In other resolutions the confer
ence: .....
Recommended that its member
fraternities actively participate in
moves to combat subversive in
huences and activities on college
campuses.
Urged its members to assist
local agencies working to elimi-
nate Juvenile delinquency. 80
Stressed the need for higher
scholarship standing among fra
ternity members.
Authorized establishment of an
Institute for the Advancement of
the Teaching Profession.