Project Editor: J.V. Dorsey, UCARE, 2008

Greeks and Minorities

Though blacks and other minorities have been a part of the student body for the majority of the University's existence, their involvement with the Greek System did not become an issue until the late 1950's.With the civil rights movement gaining momentum and integration of schools in the news, the lack of minority involvement in Greek Life (outside of the black fraternities) was glaringly apparent. Most campus fraternities and sororities had racially restrictive membership policies and most minorities were leery of Greeks because of the hazing practices that awere well documented in the local and national news.

Things came to a head on April 16, 1965. That day the Board of Regents instructed the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs to gather information from national fraternities and sororities regarding racial policies and report back as soon as possible. The Board's aim was to work with chapters and their national offices to eliminate discriminatory practices and attitudes in the Nebraska Greek system. While the Board's actions were a a step in the right direction, progress towards integration in the Greek system was slow.