Iota working to establish a presence on campus

  Founded in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement and influenced by the Black Panthers, students at Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland began what is now the nation's fifth largest predominately African-American fraternity.

  Iota Phi Theta, generally referred to as "Iota," has attempted for years to establish its presence at Muskingum University.

  Clayton Shelvin, Area Coordinator for Finney Hall, explains what's being done to establish Iota at Muskingum University.

  "We're going through the interview process right now as far as all the candidates who are hoping to be initiated," said Shelvin.

  Shelvin also explained that the fraternity will help to recruit more minority students on campus.

  "We're focusing on the retention rates for mostly our black students since some of them are pretty low," said Shelvin. "So with organizations like this we're giving these guys a place on campus to be at. Something on campus that will promote academics."

  Senior Landel Shakespeare, who has been trying to bring Iota on campus for several years now, explained where their progress is.

  "The process is long and strenuous," said Shakespeare. "We're waiting for students to have the right grades. Iota's helping us to set up and we're helping them."

  Shakespeare hopes to bring Iota to campus by spring of 2012 at the latest. 

  "[We hope to have Iota's appearance be] next semester, if not the spring of 2012," said Shakespeare. "It depends on who has the grades."

  Shakespeare explained that since Iota is a national fraternity, their GPA is higher than what is required for a       Muskingum fraternity—2.5 compared to the average 2.3.

  When Iota does come to campus, the fraternity will not have a house on campus similar to many beginning fraternities and sororities at Muskingum.

  The controversial issue surrounding Iota Phi Theta is not whether or not they'll have a house available, but if it is racist to set up a black fraternity on campus.

  Many people believe it is, such as sophomore Ben Pace.

  "I'm not against them but I think if they only accept African-Americans that's putting them in their own separate group, so instead of making that line broader we should make it thinner," said Pace.

  Shakespeare helped to clarify the race issue.                                                                                       

  "If anybody would do their history on Iotas they do accept Caucasians into their organization," said Shakespeare.

  Shakespeare explained that ‘an all black fraternity' is what people generally think about Iota, but their sole purpose is not to recruit as many African-Americans as they can. They're looking for something that's for everyone.

  "I don't want to put my name on something that isolates people," said Shakespeare. "Our world is racist enough as it is. The history of Iota is predominately African-American but we have to realize we're not a predominately black college. Therefore we can't deny anyone because of their race."