A familiar fraternity is attempting to return to campus this semester. The historically black Omega Psi Phi fraternity, originally established at the U in the 1980s, disappeared from campus several years ago because of lack of interest among students.
Professor William Smith has been working closely with U administrators to help bring the undergraduate chapter of Omega Psi Phi back to the U.
“When you have these black, minority-based organizations that are active on college campuses, it helps with the recruitment, retention and graduation statistics of minority-based populations,” Smith said.
Many black fraternities were originally started many years ago because other, predominantly white fraternities would not allow blacks to join. Although black students can join any of the U’s greek organizations, black fraternities provide a cultural aspect that other greek organizations may not, Smith said.
Although the undergraduate chapter of Omega Psi Phi has been absent from campus for several years, the fraternity’s Utah alumni association has continued to function. Much of the effort to reinstate the fraternity’s undergraduate chapter has come from both the alumni association and current students, Smith said.
So far no students have joined the group, but Smith hopes to re-establish the chapter by the end of the fall semester.
The Omega Psi Phi fraternity does not have a chapter just for the U. Because of the relatively small number of members, only one chapter exists to cover the state of Utah.
The return of Omega Psi Phi would make the U eligible to participate in the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
The NPHC is an umbrella organization of nine black fraternities and sororities across the country.
In April 2006, the black sorority Delta Sigma Theta returned to the U. Because there must be two or more black greek organizations to participate in the NPHC, Delta Sigma Theta was not eligible for participation in the organization alone.
“NPHC offers to the campus a forum for traditionally and historically black fraternities and sororities to work together,” said Lori McDonald, associate dean of students and adviser to Greek Row.
When minority organizations come to the U, there is a snowball effect, McDonald said.
Once minority organizations see other minorities establishing student groups, it tends to encourage more groups to come to the U, she said.
Omega Psi Phi alumnus David Satcher, a former U.S. Surgeon General, will visit the U on Oct. 4. Satcher is coming to discuss healthy lifestyles and will also be available for questions about the fraternity, Smith said. Other well-known Omega Psi Phi alumni include Michael Jordan, Hank Aaron, Langston Hughes, Bill Cosby and many others.
Omega Psi Phi wants to return to the U as soon as possible. Requirements for the fraternity include a minimum 2.5 GPA, student involvement and leadership skills. Students interested in joining the fraternity can contact William Smith at 587-7809 or [email protected].