Pennsylvania college brings back sororities after 79-year ban

Published November 22, 2015

Sept. 24, 2012: Swarthmore College student Julia Melin poses for a photo on the campus of Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pa. Nearly 80 years after women at Swarthmore College voted to ban sororities because they were too exclusive, a group of female students will reinstate Greek life. (AP)

After a nearly 80-year absence of sororities at Swarthmore College, female students will soon have the option of going Greek.

Kappa Alpha Theta is establishing a chapter this spring despite months of polarizing debate at the liberal arts school near Philadelphia.

Some students say sororities are elite clubs that flout the college's Quaker principles of inclusion. Swarthmore's female students voted to ban them for that reason in 1933.

But now campus officials say federal Title IX regulations require Swarthmore to provide equal opportunities for men and women. The college has two fraternities.

Sorority founders contend their membership will be diverse and committed to Swarthmore's values. They also say the chapter will provide valuable networking opportunities.

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