Despite expected challenges, AEPi looks to establish chapter on campus

Alpha Epsilon Pi, the national Jewish fraternity, is taking steps to establish a chapter at the University for the fall of 2002.

For several reasons, though, AEPi expects an uphill battle to establish itself on campus.

A primary concern was the University's failure to recognize the existing fraternities, a policy that prevents the organizations from having on-campus housing for its members.

AEPi would also have to compete with the eating clubs — the hub of social life at the University.

At Princeton's first official AEPi meeting on Sunday, March 3, regional representative for the national fraternity organization Shawn Luchaa attempted to assuage the concerns of those attending.

He pointed to Harvard University as a place where AEPi thrives in a social environment comparable to the eating clubs — emphasizing that the fraternity offers unique services such as an alumni network and insurance plan.

"With a dedicated Jewish community," added Luchaa, "AEPi will survive when other fraternities may not. We have a system that works everywhere."

He also said that Brandeis and Georgetown universities' "underground" chapters — not officially recognized — were thriving branches of the fraternity.

"There's definitely other ways of reaching the needs of the Jewish community," Jason Navarino '04 said. "We have eating clubs for social activities. We have the CJL for religious life."

Students at the meeting voiced concern about the competition AEPi would face from within the fraternity system, particularly Zeta Beta Tau, the historically Jewish fraternity.

In recent years, however, ZBT has dropped its sectarian moniker and welcomed non-Jewish pledges.

ZTB is also relatively new on campus. Chartered in 1997, the chapter now has a membership of roughly 30 students, of whom about 50 percent are Jewish.

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"AEPi seems like they're attracting a different membership base," said ZTB treasurer Steve Abt '04. "We're not too worried about the effect they will have on our group."

In contrast to ZBT, AEPi aims to maintain an exclusively Jewish membership, said Luchaa. "Our goal is to not turn into what has happened to ZBT," he added.

With a mission to "develop leadership for the future of the American Jewish community," AEPi has been recruiting members, at least initially, from the Center for Jewish Life.

Thirteen students attended Sunday's meeting.

At their next meeting, to be held tonight, the original group, as well as any new recruits, will hold elections for the five positions on the 2002-03 executive board.

AEPi was first chartered at New York University in 1913 under the leadership of Charles Moskowitz.

Since its founding, AEPi has accumulated a membership of more than 72,000. According to the national statistics, more than 1,500 undergraduates are initiated each year.

If AEPi succeeds in establishing a chapter at Princeton it will be the organization's 111th chapter in the country, making it one of the nation's largest fraternities.