Viking_Yearbook_64

No area of student activities at Port– land State has been more turbulent this year than that of sorority-administra– tion relations. At the end of the year the six national groups were active but without official recognition . The conflict began in the fall when President Millar halted rush activities. The issue centered on rejection of four candidates for rush- two of them Negro girls. In a written statement, the sororities contended, "the suspension is, in effect, an ultimatum to all of the sororities to admit one or both girls mentioned to membership ." Millar said he did not have demonstra– ble proof of discrimination and was not looking for it, but "the obligation of the sororities has always been to demon– strate beyond a reasonable doubt a policy and practice of non-discrimina– tion ." After six months of deliberation by a faculty committee, the ultimatum which came with Faculty Senate and presidential endorsement was- rein– statement of the sororities but only on condition that the local chapters be free to select members without alum– nae veto . Correspondence between national officers and President Millar led to disaffiliation of the chapters . The local groups , with the exception of Tri Delta which decided to close out its chapter, have continued with rush and other activities not connected with PSC.