Zeta Beta Tau rebuilds MU chapter

By Gwen Daniels

Published Sept. 18, 2007

After 13 years, Zeta Beta Tau fraternity is back at MU.

Zeta Beta Tau, a national Jewish fraternity, re-established its Omega chapter at MU this semester.

Eleven men, described by the national office as the chapter's "founding fathers," were initiated on Aug. 30. The group will initiate new members next Tuesday.

This year marks the revival of Zeta Beta Tau at MU.

In 1994, Zeta Beta Tau left MU after almost 80 years due to poor recruitment, Zeta Beta Tau Vice President Sean Hirshberg said.

Last year, MU contacted the national office to restore the Omega chapter. Matthew Tobe, director of expansion and recruitment for Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, Inc., recruited men from MU to form the new group.

Hirshberg said he was attracted to Zeta Beta Tau by the opportunities for leadership.

"It was a chance to start something of my own, to build something up," he said. "I get to be a leader from the get-go."

Although the organization is historically Jewish, Zeta Beta Tau welcomes men of any religion. Zeta Beta Tau President Nick Clark said he thinks the nonsectarian policy will distinguish the group from the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, the other Jewish fraternity at MU.

"We continue to serve the Jewish community, but we do not require members to be Jewish," Clark said. "AEPi is specifically Jewish. We look forward to working with them to further the Jewish community and the college community here at Mizzou."

Zeta Beta Tau upholds a no-pledging, no-hazing policy. Instead, experienced members take on one or two new members, teaching them the history and traditions of Zeta Beta Tau.

Clark said this brotherhood program ensures equality within the fraternity.

"I think that if you have pledging, you have hazing," he explained. "And if you have hazing, you are less than a brotherhood. This way, any new freshman is equal to me, as president."

Zeta Beta Tau will coordinate several social events this fall. They plan to throw Monday night football parties and tailgate before the football games, and they also plan to sponsor a campus-wide game of capture the flag.

Zeta Beta Tau also focuses on philanthropy.

The group partners with the Children's Miracle Network, a non-profit organization that raises money for children's hospitals, which includes the MU Children's Hospital.

In November, Zeta Beta Tau will sponsor Get on the Ball, a benefit for the Children's Miracle Network.

No members would divulge details about the fundraiser.

"It's never been done at Mizzou, so we're keeping it on the mysterious side until people see what we're doing," Clark said. "If you're interested, look out for us on campus. You'll see what we're doing."

Zeta Beta Tau Recruitment Chair Jake Broner said he hopes the mystery surrounding Get on the Ball will pique interest in Zeta Beta Tau.

"The biggest thing for us is getting our name out there," he said. "Our charity comes in there. It will help us out big time."

//Correction:

The Sept. 18 report "Zeta Beta Tau rebuilds MU chapter" could have implied that the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity only accepts Jewish members. The fraternity does not require members be Jewish.