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Since 1991 the Zeta Psi fraternity, which now boasts 20 members, has been operating without a charter from Pomona College; however, recent national legislation may change that.

The 1998 Amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965 states that institutions of higher education receiving federal financial assistance may not bar students in any way from participation in organizations.

This means that college administration may be forced to grant Zeta Psi, a national fraternity, a local charter of operation.

Previously, Pomona College has refused to grant any national fraternities a charter on campus. It feels that national fraternities interfere with the social life on campus by competing with Pomona College’s own fraternities.

David Swenson, associate director of Smith Campus Center and advisor to the Interfraternity Council (IFC) explained, "Though I understand and appreciate their desire to be recognized, because we’re a private school the issue is not as clean cut as it might seem. We’re going to have to take a closer look into the matter."

"National fraternities seem to create difficulties because they deal with two levels of authority. They must comply with not only school legislation, but also the policies of their particular national headquarters," added Swenson.

Swenson said that this dual allegeince could lead to tension between the school, the national fraternity, and its Pomona chapter.

Dean of Students Ann Quinley stressed that Pomona has had a long-standing policy against national fraternities on campus. Zeta Psi is now formally challenging that tradition.

"I think that they believe that there is legislation which allows them to say they should be recognized [by the college]," said Quinley. "But this is the first time anything formal has been proposed by a national fraternity."

Though the IFC has not yet met to discuss the implications of this legislation, representatives of Zeta Psi feel the recent amendments to the 1965 act could have an impact on Pomona’s campus life.

David Chung’01, vice-president of Zeta Psi said, "We will be able to advertise our fraternity and the events that we sponsor."

"We are already an organized fraternity and this legislation will allow us to finally be able to say we are here," he added.

Zeta Psi is not the first fraternity to come into conflict with Pomona College. In fact, the status of fraternities on campus has changed dramatically since Pomona’s beginnings.

Robert Tranquada, Chairman of Pomona’s Board of Trustees, commented, "Around the 1910’s and 20’s [fraternities] were prevalent. By the 1980’s, however, a combined group of students, faculty, and trustees decided that fraternities, as they were then structured, excluded certain groups on campus like women."

"After that, Pomona decided to limit privileges and college resources given to fraternities since they were not accessible to everyone," Tranquada added.

The repercussions of this legislation on the Greek life in general at Pomona is yet to be seen, but students aren’t fearing the change.

Many students are happy with any addition to what they consider the often less than exciting social life at Pomona.

David Fern ’01, a Sigma Tau member, said "Fraternities here have open parties, and that creates a more alive social scene at Pomona that’s not always there."