St. Louis community members of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity held an informational welcome event to meet Washington University students who might be interested in joining the Black Greek-lettered fraternity Feb. 11.

The event marked the 41st anniversary since the Iota Kappa Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was chartered at the University. Ten current brothers from the St. Louis area were present, two of whom are members of the administration.

The member intake process for National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations involves a high level of discretion. Unlike historically white fraternities and sororities, there is no public declaration of interest. Even at the event on Monday, maintaining the privacy of the present students was critical.

Current member and Assistant Director of the John B. Ervin Scholars Program Jonathan Solomon led the meeting. He said that the chapter would be valuable in creating an inclusive space on campus.

“As a member of Phi Beta Sigma, I have always been interested in expanding the opportunity for young men to pursue membership,” Solomon wrote in a statement to Student Life. “In my short time here at Wash. U., I have recognized the benefit of a campus-based chapter that is a part of a large international fraternity.”

The meeting opened with introductions from current brothers and was followed by a history and mission of the fraternity. From its founding in 1914 at Howard University, a historically Black college in Washington D.C., to today with its varied programs focused on economic empowerment for their communities, education and social action, the brothers explained that the history of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. is full of actions that fulfill its official pillars of brotherhood, scholarship and service.

Unlike current social fraternities on campus, the time it takes for the member intake process was a concern because the meeting was held well into the spring semester. On that issue, Solomon assured that current seniors would be able to participate.

“We will conduct intake when we have qualified interest. There is no particular timeline that we are following for our Membership Intake Process (MIP). Those who express interest to me will be notified of next steps,” Solomon wrote.

The other members of the NPHC, also known as the Divine Nine, do not have a specific chapter for Washington University as they participate in a city chapter for every student at local colleges and universities. When asked, Solomon was not worried about any friction between the city wide chapter Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and the soon to be reactivated Iota Kappa chapter. He stressed the strong brotherhood already developed in the citywide chapter and noted that the opportunity for collaboration among the different universities would help facilitate the relationship.

Brotherhood was the central theme that all of the brothers mentioned when speaking about why they joined and what it meant to be a member. They also spoke about why they believed their organization would not only benefit the University from this renewed partnership, but why they would be enhanced by having more members from the University.

“I believe that the relationship will be a really good one. I picture Sigma as collaborating with other fraternities and student groups on-campus. The goal is [to] enhance the campus experience for all students, not just members of the fraternity. As campus leaders, I believe that the men of Sigma will be able to work alongside the administration and inform faculty/staff on ways to engage minoritized students,” Solomon wrote.

A student who attended the meeting was similarly hopeful about the impact the fraternity would have on the University as a whole.

“I would hope for the chapter to be well integrated with the Black community at Wash. U. and exert a positive influence on the Wash. U. community as a whole,” the student wrote.

While still very early in the process, the student also believes the inclusion of a Black Greek-lettered organization chapter specific to the Washington University campus would help the Black male community grow positively.

“It’s very early to tell but I believe the chapter has the potential to promote positive and diverse black masculinities on campus, hopefully increasing inclusivity within our communities and empowering us [Black men] to be our best selves,” he wrote.

As reported in the Student Life feature news series “Band of Brothers,” there is a cultural barrier between Black men at the University and the citywide NPHC organizations that has been one factor in the low membership.

When asked if they believed this narrative of Black men at the University not fitting into their organization, each brother seemed eager to dispel that notion. They repeated their fraternity’s mission was to be as inclusive as possible and build a brotherhood of extremely diverse backgrounds and ideas united by their dedication to bettering their community.

Members told stories of other chapters around the country that differed from each other in every way possible, except for their commitment to the ideals and mission of the fraternity. The brothers explained that being inclusive to all members was at the fraternity’s core.

While it is still very early in the process, there was a sense of excitement about the fraternity returning to campus.

As for what would set the Iota Kappa chapter apart from other fraternities on campus and other NPHC organizations, Solomon was confident that his fraternity would be a major asset to the continued growth of men of the University.

“As a brotherhood of conscious men actively serving our communities, we are committed to upholding the principles of brotherhood, scholarship and service,” Solomon wrote. “Our mission is different from any other campus organization and our international network will be a great benefit to men at Wash. U.”

Editor’s note: The student quoted anonymously in this article was not identified by name in order to respect the confidentiality of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.’s new membership intake process.