An exclusive Jewish fraternity will join the ranks of 17 other fraternities when it becomes a member of the Interfraternity Council next month.
Alpha Epsilon Pi first approached the idea last semester because they wanted to be part of a larger group on campus.
Isaac Freeman, Alpha Epsilon Pi president, said joining IFC will allow the fraternity to help more on campus.
“There is a lot more we can do for the OU community,” said Freeman, international security studies and political science junior. “Joining a larger network is the next step.”
He said the fraternity has always operated like a Greek fraternity by participating in rush and philanthropic events but is still technically a student organization.
Joining IFC also will help the fraternity get involved in campus-wide events like homecoming, Freeman said.
Benjamin Walnick, meteorology senior and Alpha Epsilon Pi member also said the group felt isolated from campus because they didn’t participate in IFC-sponsored events.
Because Alpha Epsilon Pi is a member of the North American Interfraternity Conference, the OU chapter could have joined IFC when they wanted, but IFC is slowly easing the fraternity into membership so they can be introduced to other IFC members, said Kevin Estep, associate director of Student Life.
He said the fraternity will be officially presented as an IFC member next month at an IFC meeting.
But the fraternity will have to get used to some changes.
“The biggest hurdle is the transition, dealing with things we haven’t done before,” Freeman said.
The biggest change will be participating in IFC recruitment and rush events, he said.
But Walnick said the group isn’t joining to have a larger recruitment.
“We aren’t in it to be in a big house,” he said. “We are a close-knit group and that’s not going to change.”
One large difference between Alpha Epsilon Pi and other fraternities is its closeness, Walnick said.
“Everyone preaches brotherhood and best friends, but I didn’t get that from the other fraternities because they are so large,” Walnick said.
Freeman said the fraternity’s emphasis on being a Jewish brotherhood is what sets them apart from other fraternities.
The fraternity’s membership isn’t official yet but IFC is excited about the new addition, Estep said.
Alpha Epsilon Pi is excited to become a member of IFC, too, Walnick said.
“We want the campus to know the name Alpha Epsilon Pi, being a member of the IFC gives us a stamp of legitimacy,” he said.
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jewsaac 3 years, 2 months ago
great picture