Brown University May Permit Pi Lambda Phi Frat on Campus

Brown University will probably have a chapter of Pi Lambda Phi, national Jewish fraternity, by the end of the fall term.

A statement by the Executive Committee of the Brown University Corporation, given to the press through Harold Tanner, its legal counsel, points toward official recognition and approbation of Pi Lambda Phi, provided the petition is presented in the proper manner. It is too late in the present term for any official petition to be acted upon.

Late last fall, nine Jewish students at Brown journeyed to New York and were duly initiated members of Pi Lambda Phi without the knowledge of the university authorities. These men were to be the charter members of a Pi Lambda Phi chapter at Brown, but a university ruling to the effect that no social or fraternal group could be formed on the campus until the corporation had passed on its constitution and granted official permission caused the early death of the newly formed group.

While the Brown Corporation expresses no aversion toward strictly sectarian groups, it probably does not relish them. Dr. W. H. P. Faunce, the president of the university and member of the executive committee, had a Catholic fraternity, Phi Kappa, bequeathed to him when he assumed his office. He tolerated, but never cherished it, because he believes that sectarian bodies are likely to emphasize differences not pertinent to academic life. However, Jewish students at Brown are persistent in their demands that there should be an opportunity for them to enjoy Pan-Hellenic distinction. There are over 200 Jews in the Brown student body and only three of these, through various contingencies, are member of the fraternities.

Another reason why Pi Lamba Phi will probably be accepted at Brown is that the calibre of the nine men who (Continued on Page 4)

organized the disbanded chapter is extraordinary.

Their leader is Al Cornsweet of Cleveland. He captained the successful Brown football team last fail and was a member of the famous “ironmen” of ’27. He was also intercollegiate wrestling champion and a member of the lacrosse team. His grades the first term of this year averaged 95, and he wears a Phi Beta Kappa key. Cornsweet is a Rhodes scholar-elect.

Nathan Goldstein of Grantwood, N. J. has made his Phi Beta Kappa key during this, his junior year, by getting five A’s the first semester. He is business manager-elect of the “Brown Daily Herald.”

Louis Farber was selected by several sports writers in 1927 for all-America football honors. He captained his freshman team and played varsity basketball. His grades are above the average.

Herbert Semel of New York City played lacrosse, is advertising manager of the “Brown Daily Herald,” and assisted in the Brown Christian Association drive. Their general scholastic average is 87 per cent, far superior to that of any of the official fraternities.