Five top-ranking officers of Chi Omega sorority at George Washington University resigned here today, protesting against a blatant discriminatory practice against Jews upheld by the sorority’s powerful alumnae set forth as part of the sorority’s national policy.
The group resignation, which followed a meeting between sorority members and alumnae representatives with university officials trying to mediate, came as a climax to a series of pressures which the alumnae had been trying to put on members since rush season began last fall. According to rush chairman and leader of the resigners, Linda Frost of Washington, the five officially resigned after a Jewish girl who had been voted into the sorority by members was vetoed by the alumnae. Sorority rules entitle the alumnae to have the final say on membership.
While the alumnae have avoided making any outright anti-Semitic statements, Mrs. Frost explained, the Jewish candidate was turned down by them because she is not have a recommendation from an alumna in her hometown. The vetoing group also accuse that according to the sorority’s constitution, a prospective member must “be a believer in Christian ideals.”
It was also explained that the alumnae had complained last fall when two Jewish girls had been pledged. At that time they had warned the officers that no more Jewish candidate would be accepted when the new rush season began. As is the case in most academic institution, George Washington University policy prohibits discrimination in student honorary and professional societies. but social organizations are free to select their members.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
