Eyebrows are being raised at SMU this year as the civil rights office of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare monitors the school’s fraternity and sorority rush, in what may develop into a landmark investigation.
A complaint has been lodged alleging the fraternities and sororities dis-criminate against blacks and Mexican-Americans. Because the Greek houses occupy university land rent-free, and SMU receives federal funds, HEW is authorized to investigate the situation.
During this year and next, HEW will receive reports detailing the number of minorities who are offered membership in SMU’s fraternities and sororities. Admittedly the investigation could become unwieldy, because SMU has few minority students and documenting how the Greek organizations select their members will be difficult.
No matter what results finally aretabulated and how, if ever, they areinterpreted, HEW is very interested.The SMU investigation is the first ofits kind, and is proceeding under authorization of HEW Secretary CasperWeinberger, who reportedly hastaken a personal interest in thestudy.
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