Iota Phi Theta regains its MU charter
The fraternity returns to MU after 10 years.
Published April 13, 2010
The Beta Tau chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. returned to MU after a 10-year hiatus related to lack of membership.
In early April, both the ORG and National Pan-Hellenic Council officially recognized the chapter.
"This is a big thing for the Mizzou campus," said Jay Stevens, Iota Phi Theta president. "Now we (MU) have eight out of the Divine Nine."
The Divine Nine refers to the nine historically black organizations within the council — five fraternities and four sororities.
Stevens said he has been working on gaining university recognition since fall 2008. He, along with fraternity member Jaison McCall, has been working with the state director and Director of Greek Life Janna Basler.
"(Basler) has been a great help to us," Stevens said. "She's taken us under her wing."
Stevens said gaining recognition has been a long process of paperwork for both MU and the ORG.
"After a year or so, all the hard work is done," Stevens said.
McCall said both NPHC and the Interfraternity Council now recognize the fraternity.
"We're looking forward to working with IFC and other Caucasian fraternities to do more community service and show that we are diversified," Stevens said. "We feel that showing diversity will help our campus. We're all going to have to work together at one point in time."
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. hopes to have roughly 10 to 12 members by April 2011. Stevens said it doesn't seem like a lot, but for NPHC intake that's quite a bit.
"We don't build leaders," McCall said. "We unite them."
Events for the fraternity included its probate show Saturday and a step show at Clue N2 Mizzou. Stevens said the fraternity is attempting to reach out to high school students.
According to a news release, after being founded in 1994, the Beta Tau chapter died out in 1999 due to declining membership.