A History of Zeta Beta Tau
A Brotherhood of Kappa Nu, Phi Alpha, Phi Epsilon Pi, Phi Sigma Delta, and Zeta Beta Tau
Adapted From National ZBT Literature
The fraternity now known as Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) did not start out as a Greek organization. It actually started as a Zionist
youth group that a Columbia professor (Richard J. H. Gottheil) formed with students from several New York universities.
Interestingly, the group was named Z.B.T. indicating that they were not Greek letters.
After a short time, though, large Zionist organizations arose throughout America and took control of the movement. The
original objective of the group was removed and the focus shifted to providing a fraternal body for Jews, who were excluded
from most fraternities that existed at the time. By 1903, the group had changed to Zeta Beta Tau, adopted a constitution, and
had established chapters at many New York universities. In just six years, there were thirteen chapters in the North East and
even one at Tulane in New Orleans. In 1913, a Canadian chapter was formed at McGill in Montreal, and in 1918 the
University of Southern California in Los Angeles gained a chapter.
The next big change for Zeta Beta Tau came about in 1954. After years of debate, the National Convention decided to
change the Constitution and rituals of the fraternity to make ZBT open to all male college students regardless of race, creed,
faith or color. Although this received wide criticism and caused much alarm within the interfraternity world, ZBT pushed
forward with it. Eventually, similar changes occurred in Phi Epsilon Pi, Phi Sigma Delta, Kappa Nu, and Phi Alpha.
After World War II, American Universities underwent a tremendous growth, and fraternities followed suit. From 1945 to
1969, the number of chapters of ZBT increased from 30 to 80. As a result of such growth, many fraternities merged in order
to be more efficient and stronger. Phi Alpha merged into Phi Sigma Delta in 1959 and Kappa Nu merged into Phi Epsilon Pi
in 1961. Finally, in 1969-1970, Phi Sigma Delta and Phi Epsilon Pi both merged into Zeta Beta Tau.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, America was going through tough times. With the Vietnam conflict as a back drop, there
was much social un-rest. Anti-establishment feelings swept across college campuses and had a detrimental effect on many
fraternities, including ZBT. From a high of 145 chapters in 1970, ZBT dropped to just 56 chapters in 1973. Even those that
did survive were oftened weakened.
The late 1970s and early 1980s, however, saw a renewed interest in fraternities. More people were initiated, dormant
chapters were revived, and chapters opened up in new campuses.
It was at this time that fraternities started to gain a negative view, in part because of hazing. Although most Greeks tried to
stop hazing, they were unsuccessful. As a result, in 1989, ZBT eliminated the pledging system. Instead, a new Brotherhood
Program with minimum standards were required to be fulfilled by all Brothers and not just one class.
Today, ZBT has 110,000 Brothers and Chapters and colonies in over 100 campus locations. It continues to maintain a
tradition of leadership and respect in the interfraternity world.
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A Brotherhood of Kappa Nu, Phi Alpha, Phi Epsilon Pi, Phi Sigma Delta, and Zeta Beta Tau
Alpha Rho, Zeta Beta Tau
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� 1996
