Report: U. of Ala. sororities barred blacks

Report: U. of Ala. sororities barred blacks: A sorority at the University of Alabama says it is investigating allegations in a student publication that it was among Panhellenic organizations on the campus that allegedly blocked two black women from pledging, and a judge who serves on the university's board says the number of those rejected is higher and is asking school leadership to investigate.

The piece in The Crimson White alleges that sororities on the Tuscaloosa, Ala., campus failed to invite two black women to pledge, and says that in some cases, alumni stepped in to bar them. The catalyst for the piece was the failure of all 16 of the school's Panhellenic organizations in extending a bid to pledge two black women, one who, by all measurements, appeared to fit the requirements for a competitive pledge. She has a 4.3 grade point average, was salutatorian in her high school graduating class and comes from a well-connected family that has ties to the school, The Crimson White reports.

Only one of the organizations mentioned in the piece, Pi Beta Phi out of Town & Country, Mo. could be reached late Wednesday. The head of the organization said the sorority "proudly" accepts all for membership.
"Pi Beta Phi leadership has begun investigation the allegations in The Crimson White article," wrote Pi Beta Phi grand president Paula Shepherd in an email. "If any of those allegations are found to be true, those members, alumna or collegiate, will be held accountable for their actions."