Although threatened with expulsion from its national organization, the Stanford University chapter of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity today stuck to its anti-bias policy, refusing to expel four Jewish students whom the chapter elected to membership in the group. The chapter is being backed fully by the university Student Council; by Dr. William Craig, Dean of Men; and by Stanley E. Mosk, California State Attorney General.
Announcement that the fraternity chapter is facing revocation of its national charter for bringing Jews into membership was made here this weekend by the chapter’s president, Michael Kavanaugh. He said every one of the present 54 members of the chapter voted for the admission of four Jewish students, although the national constitution of the fraternity provides that membership is to be restricted to “Christian Caucasians. “
“We are not trying to start a crusade, ” said Mr. Kavanaugh. “We just think we ought to choose our members regardless of race, color or creed. ” The chapter has received notice from the fraternity’s national headquarters at Washington that it must oust the four Jewish “pledgees. ” The fraternity’s national grand chief, Gerald E. Johnson, notified Kavanaugh that Alpha Tau Omega’s national high council is bringing charges against the chapter for violating the fraternity’s national charter.
The trustees of the university adopted a resolution in 1957, ordering all fraternities on the campus to drop their discriminatory policies. Dean Craig said today “we are backing the chapter all the way. ” Attorney General Mosk declared today that he will file a brief, as “a friend of the court,” supporting the local chapter in its efforts to stick to its anti-discrimination policy and keep its national charter.
The Student Council resolution, adopted unanimously, declared that the student body “supports the Stanford Chapter of ATO for its refusal to discriminate against Stanford students because of their race, religion or creed. “
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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.
