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Click below to visit the
Zeta Tau Alpha national website:

Zeta Tau Alpha

Beta Tau Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha was founded at Albion College on April 12, 1929. Made up of members of a "last local sorority on the campus" called Clionian, the women of Zeta Tau Alpha will be remembered for their leadership, ethics and scholarship.
Click Clionian and Pi Alpha Epsilon in the left navigation under Zeta Tau Alpha to learn more.

What happened to Zeta Tau Alpha?
In 1967 the sorority pledged an African American woman which was apparently against their national sorority's rules. The national ZTA organization put Beta Tau chapter on a "warning" then on "suspension". The Albion members demanded that their national sorority's bi-laws be rewritten to end any reference to discrimination. Albion College's President Norris entered into the debate siding with the local membership by giving the national sorority until November to make the requested changes. When they were not made, Albion College terminated its ties with the national ZTA organization stating that the local chapter must end its affiliation with the national group "As a result of the national organization's national procedures which conflict with Albion College policies.”
Beta Tau's stance will not be forgotten. Especially by the many Beta Tau alumni who are active in various leadership roles across the United States today.


Io Triumphe to Beta Tau Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha!

This affirmative action stance was widely reported across the United States and the Albion women were universally praised for their action.
Immediately following their termination the members formed a local sorority known as Pi Alpha Epsilon and disbanded some time thereafter.



Zeta Tau Alpha membership
Photo 1966 Albionian

Update:
Beta Tau's pledging of an African-American woman prompted Zeta Tau Alpha (national) to review its membership policies and bylaws. Many other National Panhellenic Conference groups did the same during the Civil Rights movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. ZTA's bylaws were revised in 1972. In the 2009-2010 school year, 24 percent of ZTA's collegiate membership is non-white.
(Update added by request of Zeta Tau Alpha, 13 March 2010)